Cardinals resume voting on second day to choose new Pope

The largest and most diverse group of Roman Catholic cardinals in history is meeting again on Thursday, May 8, to elect a new pope. The secret vote is taking place inside the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican, where the cardinals gather for the sacred process known as the conclave.

On Wednesday, May 7, the first day of voting ended without a result. Black smoke rising from the chimney above the chapel showed that no one had been chosen yet. This is normal, as popes are rarely elected on the first day.

However, many are hopeful that a decision could come on the second day, when up to four rounds of voting can happen. A total of 133 cardinals from 70 countries are taking part in the election — more than ever before.

This is due to efforts by the late Pope Francis to make the Church more global during his 12 years as pope. Francis, who was from Argentina, passed away last month.

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Pope Francis himself was elected on the second day in 2013 after five rounds of voting. Before him, Pope Benedict XVI was chosen in 2005 after four votes.

To be elected pope, a candidate must receive a two-thirds majority. If no clear favourite emerges, cardinals may begin to support new names based on region, beliefs, or language.

Top candidates include Cardinal Pietro Parolin from Italy and Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle from the Philippines. Others who might be considered are France’s Jean-Marc Aveline, Hungary’s Peter Erdo, American Robert Prevost, and Italian Pierbattista Pizzaballa.

During the conclave, cardinals are cut off from the outside world. Their phones and computers are taken away, and they stay in Vatican guesthouses. They move between the chapel and their rooms in complete privacy.

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The world is now watching to see when white smoke will rise from the Sistine Chapel, signalling that a new pope has been chosen.