The Vatican failed to elect a new pope the first time

Black smoke rose from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican, the cardinals failed to elect a new pope during the first round of voting. Footage from St. Peter's Square is published by Izvestia.

According to Vatican News, the results of the vote were announced at approximately 21:00 local time (22:00 Moscow time). There were about 45,000 people in the square next to the chapel.

"At about 21:00, black smoke rose from the roof of the chapel, meaning that none of the candidates received the necessary two—thirds of the votes today," the newspaper said.

The elections will continue in the following days. The cardinals will hold two sessions in the morning and in the evening.

A gesture of farewell: how the Pope's funeral turned into another summit

Western leaders tried to change Trump's position on Ukraine

On May 7, the first meeting of the conclave, which will elect a new pope, began in the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican. It was noted that 133 cardinals from different countries began the voting process for the new pontiff. At the same time, the conclave territory has no cellular connection, and outsiders will not be able to find out about what is happening in the chapel.

Pope Francis died at the age of 89 on the morning of April 21 from a cerebral stroke. He last appeared in public on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica during Easter celebrations on April 20. As previously reported, the pontiff has been struggling with bilateral pneumonia for a long time.