VATICAN CITY: Roman Catholic cardinals have failed to elect a new pope to lead the troubled Church as black smoke rose from a chimney above the Sistine Chapel for a second day on Wednesday, indicating that the cardinals’ first two votes of the day were inconclusive.
The 115 cardinal-electors will have two more opportunities to vote on Wednesday afternoon. 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.
When the new pontiff is elected, white smoke will billow from the makeshift chimney above the chapel and the bells of St Peter’s Basilica will ring.
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