The Papal Conclave has begun, with 133 Cardinal Electors sequestered in the Sistine Chapel. As we pray for them, we look forward to the times of their scheduled votes. A two-thirds majority is required for a pope to be elected. If a vote does not produce this, black smoke will billow from the Sistine Chapel’s chimney, visible to all in St. Peter’s Square. If the vote produces a new pope, white smoke will be seen instead.
So when can we expect the votes and the smoke signals?
The Cardinals will vote once today, May 7th, at the beginning of the conclave, and we can expect to know the results through the smoke after 1pm Eastern time.
Starting on May 8th, the cardinals vote twice in the morning and twice in the afternoon. Every two rounds, there is smoke to share the results (around 6:00 am and 1:00 pm Eastern time), unless the pope is elected in one of the first votes in the morning or afternoon, in which case there will be white smoke at around 4:30 am or 11:30 am Eastern time. If after 3 full days of voting, noone is elected, the cardinals will take a one-day break for prayer and reflection and then resume their schedule the next day.
