Thick black smoke this evening billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel.
The development indicates that the College of Cardinals has not yet reached a decision on the election of a new pope.
The black smoke confirms that further rounds of voting will resume tomorrow and continue until a consensus is achieved.
In accordance with long-standing conclave protocols, the cardinals remain entirely sequestered within the chapel, cut off from all external communication until a new pontiff is chosen.
As dusk falls over Vatican City, the atmosphere in St. Peter’s Square remains charged with anticipation, as thousands of people continue to wait patiently in the hope of witnessing white smoke, the sign of a successful election.
Recent figures released by police authorities indicated that nearly 30,000 people have gathered in the square, undeterred by the uncertainty and united in reverence for the historic moment.
