The first day of the papal conclave ended without a new pope, as black smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel chimney. The 133 cardinals, including New York’s Cardinal Timothy Dolan, will continue voting Thursday, May 8, to elect the 266th successor to St. Peter.
The conclave, an ancient and secretive process, requires a two-thirds majority vote to select the next pontiff. Until then, Catholics worldwide watch for smoke signals: black means no decision, white announces a new pope. New Yorkers are invited to submit prayers for the cardinals through the archdiocese’s website.
At this critical crossroads in Church history, leaders and faithful alike pray for unity and guidance as the process continues.
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