VATICAN CITY - New York Daily News — Black smoke over the Vatican — we do not have a new Pope.
The 115 cardinals who have locked themselves inside the Sistine Chapel revealed to the world that they have failed to select a new pontiff on their first ballot — a widely expected outcome as the papal conclave got underway Tuesday afternoon.
The cardinals will return for two votes Wednesday morning and, if no white smoke billows over the Vatican, two more votes in the afternoon.
The process will continue until one of the cardinals emerges with a two-thirds majority — 77 votes.
The last nine conclaves have lasted an average of three days.
The puff of black smoke came about three hours after the cardinals locked themselves into the Sistine Chapel to be alone with their thoughts and their prayers as began the selection process for a new Pope.
