World Watches As Papal Conclave Enters Second Day

Black smoke has risen from the Sistine Chapel chimney on May 7, indicating that cardinals had not yet chosen a new pope. The cardinals are set to resume their proceedings today. The cardinal electors will now vote four times a day until a candidate for the papacy obtains a two-thirds majority. According to the Vatican, nearly 45,000 people gathered in St. Peter's Square on Wednesday.

The papal conclave involves 133 cardinals from 70 countries, compared to 115 cardinals from 48 nations in the 2013 conclave. Pope Francis, who died last month, was elected on the second day after five ballots. Meanwhile, Pope Benedict XVI was elected in four rounds of voting. No conclave since 1831 has exceeded four days. White smoke from Vatican's Sistine Chapel would signal the election of a new leader for the world's 1.4 billion Catholics.

As per reports, if no clear choice has emerged after three days, balloting will be suspended for 24 hours. Another seven rounds of balloting then take place, followed by another break. Cardinal electors are not allowed to communicate with the outside world until a new pope is elected.