Second black smoke, cardinals to vote again for new pope

Black smoke rising from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel signalling that cardinals failed to elect a new pope during their conclave in the Vatican on May 8, 2025. [AFP]

Thick black smoke billowed Thursday from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel in a sign that cardinals again failed to elect a new head of the Catholic Church.

Among the thousands of Catholics and curious tourists massed in St Peter's Square, there was applause but also sighs at the result, which came after the second and third ballots.