FIRST DAY OF CONCLAVE VOTING INDECISIVE

Black smoke signalled the end of the first day of voting among the cardinals at the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel.

The voting procedure is done in order to choose a new head of the Catholic church after Pope Francis passed away in April.

The voting procedure, which follows centuries-old traditions, will take place behind closed doors so that the cardinals can vote in total secrecy.

At every vote, nine random cardinals will be chosen to perform specific roles. Three of them will oversee the voting, three will collect the votes from those too sick to be in the chapel, and three cardinals will be responsible for verifying the results.

After the ballots are cast, they’re counted, and a result is announced to the cardinals.

Once all the cardinals have been informed, the public is informed by burning the ballots and adding an element to determine the colour of the smoke.

This will continue to take place until a unanimous decision has been made and everyone have voted for the same person.

Then, white smoke will be seen coming from the chimney attached to the Sistine Chapel, and the name of the new pope will be announced.

Image credit: People