Cardinals fail to elect new Pope, conclave moves on to next vote

They are due to vote again later in the day and the process will continue with as many as four votes a day until the cardinals reach a decision. 

Roman Catholic cardinals gathered at the Vatican in Rome failed to choose a new pope on their second day of voting.

A plume of black smoke rising from the Sistine Chapel on Thursday signaled that the 133 cardinals gathered for the Conclave have still to muster the two thirds majority required to appoint the next pontiff.

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They are due to vote again later in the day and the process will continue with as many as four votes a day until the cardinals reach a decision.

The ballots will be burned twice daily as a traditional sign for the crowds of faithful in St. Peter’s Square. Black smoke indicates no decision has been reached, whereas white smoke means the cardinals have agreed on a successor to Pope Francis, who died last month.

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