The anticipation was high in St. Peter’s Square on May 7, 2025, as thousands gathered to witness the first major moment in the papal conclave. But as the clock ticked past 9:00 PM, the iconic black smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel’s chimney, signaling that the first ballot had concluded—and no Pope had been elected.

A Long Wait for the Crowd

Roughly 45,000 people had gathered in St. Peter’s Square, eagerly awaiting the results of the first vote. While many expected an announcement shortly after 7:00 PM, the crowd had to endure an extra two hours of suspense before the smoke rose, indicating the first round of voting had ended without a decision.

A Global Moment of Prayer

Among the many faithful in the square was Deacon Nicholas Nkoronko from Tanzania. He shared his thoughts with Vatican News, emphasizing the universal role of prayer during the conclave: “Our role here is to pray and to join with other Christians, other Catholics, to pray for the Holy Spirit to guide the whole process.”

Regardless of the geographical origin of the new Pope, Deacon Nkoronko stressed, “We need a holy Pope. We need a Pope who will guide the Church and will be the pastor of the Church.”

Looking Ahead

The conclave’s journey is just beginning, with cardinals set to continue the process of electing the 267th Pope. As they deliberate, the world watches and prays for the guidance of the Holy Spirit to choose a new leader for the Catholic Church.

Stay tuned for updates as the conclave continues, with hopes high for the Church’s next chapter.

Source: Vatican News – Black smoke signals end of first day of conclave

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