A plume of thick black smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday evening, signaling that the cardinals locked inside have not yet chosen a new pope in their first round of voting.

The signal came roughly three hours and 15 minutes after 133 cardinals from around 70 countries cast their initial ballots in the secretive conclave. Their gathering follows the death of Pope Francis on April 21, who led the Catholic Church for 12 years.

As tradition dictates, the cardinals were sequestered from the outside world, surrendering their mobile phones, while all electronic communications in and around the Vatican were jammed to preserve the confidentiality of the proceedings.

Crowds packed into St. Peter’s Square, many staring up at large screens streaming the day’s solemn rituals including a live feed of the chapel’s chimney and occasional glimpses of wildlife perched nearby. Some disappointed spectators left after hours of waiting, but those who remained erupted in cheers when smoke finally emerged, even though its color confirmed no decision had been made.

The conclave will resume Thursday, with cardinals set to vote again. The process will continue until one among them receives the required two-thirds majority — at least 89 votes to become the next pope.

(Al Jazeera)