JUST IN: Tension Mounts as Cardinals Fail Again to Elect New Pope After Multiple Votes

Black smoke has risen above the Sistine Chapel, signaling that cardinals have once again failed to elect a new pope after two rounds of voting Thursday morning.

The cardinals will reconvene in the afternoon for another attempt.

The black smoke first appeared on Wednesday evening, indicating that the cardinals had voted but had not yet achieved the two-thirds majority required for a new pope. While this is a common sight early in the conclave, it wasn’t a surprise.

The first vote is often more about gauging support and setting the stage for future ballots.

A sudden appearance of white smoke would have suggested that one of the frontrunners had secured enough backing. But the process is still in its early stages, and no one expected a quick decision.

Cardinals Pietro Parolin and Luis Antonio Tagle remain the leading candidates, partly due to their high profiles and their roles within the Vatican.

Both are familiar to many of the cardinals, which plays to their advantage, given that the electors come from all corners of the globe and may not be well-acquainted with one another.

The name badges worn during their meetings further highlight how unfamiliar many of them are with each other.

Cardinal Parolin, who is overseeing the conclave, appears to have strong support within the Vatican. A notable moment during Mass yesterday saw Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re embrace Parolin, offering him “double good wishes.”

While this gesture could simply be interpreted as good luck in his role as presider, it also holds deeper connotations and has captured the attention of those watching the process unfold.