Rome, 7 May 2025 (dpa/MIA) - Black smoke was seen coming out of the chimney at the Sistine Chapel meaning that the 133 cardinals were unable to agree on a new pope during the first round of voting.

The dark smoke was not unexpected, though it took significantly longer to appear than anticipated. The signal came more than three hours after the chapel doors were closed.

The waiting crowd outside the historic chapel expressed their impatience with rounds of applause. Laughter erupted when a plane left white contrails in the sky behind the chimney.

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.

Photo: Screenshot/epa