Tension Builds in Vatican as Crowds Await Smoke Signal from First Conclave Ballot

A wave of anticipation has swept through St. Peter’s Square as crowds gather outside the Sistine Chapel, their eyes fixed on the chimney that will soon release the iconic smoke signal—black or white—revealing the outcome of the first papal conclave ballot.

The faithful, tourists, and observers alike stand shoulder-to-shoulder in silence and prayer, waiting to see whether a new pope will be chosen or if more ballots will follow. The centuries-old ritual, steeped in mystery and symbolism, continues to captivate the world, as the Catholic Church begins its sacred process of selecting the next spiritual leader.