There was black smoke in the first yesterday. Also in the second this Thursday morning. The conclave has not reached a consensus after three votes, and the 133 elector cardinals have returned to the Sistine Chapel after lunch and prayer to choose a new Pope. This afternoon, two more scrutinies will take place, and if they are not positive, a third black smoke will appear around 7:00 p.m.
From this Friday, the same voting process as this Thursday will continue. After three days of scrutinies, if the white smoke has not appeared yet, the cardinals will have a day of prayer and free discussion. Matteo Bruni, the director of the Vatican Press Office, has indicated that at this point there are "different interpretations," so they could pause on Saturday or Sunday.
If Thursday, when there was only one vote, is interpreted as the first day of voting, the prelates would pause on Saturday if there is no agreement by the end of Friday. On the contrary, if it is interpreted as three full days of voting (two in the morning and two in the afternoon), they would pause on Sunday if no agreement is reached by the end of Saturday.
Additionally, if after four series of scrutinies there is no positive result, then, according to the Motu Proprio published by Benedict XVI, the cardinals may choose between the two most voted in the last scrutiny, although not by a majority but again they must reach "at least" the two-thirds of the votes.
The white smoke and the Vatican bells announce the election of a new pope
The white smoke from the chimney on the roof of the Vatican's Sistine Chapel and the ringing of bells in St. Peter's Basilica confirmed to the world that the Catholic Church has a new pope, whose name has not yet been revealed.
The 133 cardinals locked in the Sistine Chapel to elect the new pope confirmed their agreement with the white smoke that emerged from the chimney at 18:07.