Black smoke rises on second day of conclave

Cardinals in the Sistine Chapel before the start of the conclave at the Vatican ...on Tuesday, March 12, 2013
| credits: Vatican Press Office

 Black smoke poured from the chimney fixed to the roof of the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday morning, indicating that the cardinals’ first two votes of the day were inconclusive, according to agency reports.

The 115 voting cardinals are taking part in the second day of the secretive conclave to elect a new pope

They will have two more opportunities to vote later Wednesday.

A two-thirds majority is required to confirm a new pontiff to step into the shoes left empty by the historic resignation of Benedict XVI at the end of last month.

Whoever it may be will take on the leadership of a church that has been rocked by child sex abuse scandals and corruption claims in recent years.

White or black smoke?

No smoke emerged after the first vote Wednesday morning, meaning the cardinals then entered a second round of voting.

The black smoke that poured from the chimney at 11:39 a.m. local time (6:39 a.m. ET) indicates that no result came from that second ballot, either.

The cardinals will now go to lunch, when they will be able to have informal conversations and mull their options.

The smoke came somewhat earlier in the day than expected because once the cardinals are familiar with the voting procedures, they can move relatively quickly, according to the Rev. Thomas Rosica, a Vatican spokesman.