Black smoke emerges as cardinals fail to elect new pope in first ballot | Religion News

Tens of thousands of people gathered in Vatican City’s St Peter’s Square as cardinals voted in first ballot.

Thick black smoke has emerged from the Sistine Chapel’s chimney, signalling that the cardinals sealed off inside have failed to elect a new pope in their first conclave vote.

Tens of thousands of people gathered in Vatican City’s St Peter’s Square to await the smoke, which came about three hours and 15 minutes after the 133 cardinals were sequestered.

Cardinals from about 70…