Black smoke: No new pope elected in first round of conclave vote

Black smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel chimney on Wednesday, indicating that no candidate received the necessary two-thirds majority to be elected pope in the first round of voting.

The conclave to select a successor to Pope Francis began earlier in the day, with 135 cardinal-electors from around the world now sequestered inside Vatican City. The cardinals are expected to hold up to four votes per day until a new pope is chosen. The cardinals will vote again on Thursday morning at 9:30 am local time.

The electors are residing at Casa Santa Marta and will continue moving between their lodgings and the Sistine Chapel for the duration of the conclave. The group is composed of 53 cardinals from Europe, 23 from Asia, 18 from Africa, 17 from South America, 16 from North America, and four each from Central America and Oceania.

If no pope is elected after three days of voting, the cardinals will pause balloting for one day of prayer and reflection. No conclave has lasted longer than four days since 1841.

This is a breaking news story. Refresh for updates.