Rome, 8 May 2025 (dpa/MIA) - Black smoke rose from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican for the second time, indicating the cardinals meeting in the conclave were again unable to agree on a new pope on Thursday morning.

Black smoke emerged for the first time on Wednesday evening after the 133 cardinals gathered to start the process of choosing a successor to Pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday.

The announcement of the 267th pope in 2,000 years of church history could take some time. It is widely expected that the decision will be made by the end of this week, though this is not certain.

Until then, the rest of the world will rely on the smoke signals from the chimney on the roof of the ornate chapel in the Apostolic Palace.