The first vote of the 133 members of the conciliar to elect a new pontiff last night was fruitless and consequently black smoke came out of the chimney of the Sistine Chapel.

The whole process lasted over three hours, far longer than had been anticipated in the press room of the Vatican itself. This may be due – to some extent – to the record number of cardinal electors and the fact that they come from seventy-one different countries but also to the speech of the Italian cardinal Raniere Candalamessa which was longer than expected and several cardinals needed help with translation.

Only one vote was held yesterday, but starting today the 133 cardinals will hold four votes, two in the morning (at 10:30 and 12:00) and two in the afternoon (at 18:30 and 20:00 GMT), until at least 89 of them choose the same name. In case there is still no white smoke, the same process will continue daily.

According to analysts, today will increase the chances of electing the new Holy Father of the Roman Catholic Church, given that in 2005 Pope Benedict was elected in the fourth ballot and Pope Francis, in 2013, in the fifth.

Yesterday in St. Peter’s Square, more than 50 people gathered and waited longer than expected for the result of the vote, with their eyes fixed on the Capella Sistina chimney.000 believers, residents of the Eternal City and citizens coming from dozens of different countries, most of them hoping to see the white smoke that marks the arrival of the new pontiff.

The oath and the “extra omnes”

The meeting began on Wednesday afternoon after the cardinals were sworn to secrecy and the doors of the Sistine Chapel were closed to the outside world. They have surrendered their cell phones and are cut off from the outside world until the new pope is elected.

The voting is taking place under the legendary Michelangelo murals and the Capella Sistina – usually a busy tourist attraction – has installed tight security measures.

Checks have been made to detect eavesdropping devices, signal jamming devices have been installed and windows have been covered to protect against spying drones. Seals have also been placed on 80 doors of the conclave to prevent people from entering and leaving. The cardinals will sleep and eat at Casa Santa Marta, a guesthouse inside the Vatican where Pope Francis lived, until the process is complete

The cardinals had entered Wednesday chanting at the Sistine Chapel. Each cardinal read the Conclave’s oath, in which he promised to keep secret any matter related to the election. Dressed in their red vestments, they chanted the Litany of Saints and the Veni Creator – a hymn begging the saints to help them find a new leader.

Then each proceeded to swear secrecy, placing his hand on the Gospel and also promising to allow no outside influence.

The oath: “I promise and swear to maintain absolute secrecy with regard to anyone not belonging to the body of cardinal electors, and this for ages, unless I receive special authorization expressly given to me by the new Pope-elect or his successors, concerning all that directly or indirectly concerns the votes and counts for the election of the Pope.”

After they were seated, the familiar Latin phrase “extra omnes”, meaning “everybody out” was heard, and Archbishop Diego Ravelli, an assistant to the late pope, closed the doors.

One Asian and two Italians among the favourites

The convening of the conclave begins 16 days after the death of Pope Francis, who passed away after a long hospitalization due to pneumonia.

Many experts believe the choice will be narrowed down to someone who will continue his progressive policies or a more conservative candidate.

Among the favorites is Louis Antonio Tangle, a cardinal who could become the first Asian pontiff and who has been compared to Pope Francis.

Two Italians are also considered strong candidates: the archbishop of Bologna, Mateo Supi, and the so-called “deputy pope” Pietro Parolin.

The identity of the pope is usually revealed immediately after the white smoke appears, when he steps out onto the balcony to greet the crowd in St. Peter’s Square.

Who can become pope?

According to canon law, any baptized Catholic man can be elected Pope, regardless of whether he is a member of the priesthood. The only requirement is that he must be ordained a bishop after accepting his election.

For the last 600-plus years, the College of Cardinals has been electing one of its members. The same result is expected this time.

How is the voting done?

There is no electronic voting in papal elections. After each round of voting and after the ballots are submitted and checked, they are burned. Smoke comes out of a chimney above the Sistine Chapel to signal that the round of voting is over to the waiting crowd in St. Peter’s Square.

If the smoke is black, the cardinals have not reached a decision. White smoke means a new pope has been elected.

What happens when the conclave chooses the pope?

Once the pope is elected, he is asked to accept his “canonical election as Supreme Pontiff” and choose his papal name.

The new pope is led to the “Hall of Tears” of the Sistine Chapel, so named because of the emotions experienced by previous pontiffs. There, he is dressed in white vestments and receives a new cross and a white zuketo, or hat. The cardinals salute the new pope and swear obedience to him.

According to tradition, the eldest cardinal deacon of the College of Cardinals announces to the crowd in St. Peter’s Square and the millions of people watching from elsewhere: “Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum? Habemus Papam” (“I announce to you a great joy: we have a pope”).

A few minutes later, the new pope blesses the crowd from one of the balconies of St. Peter’s Basilica.