Black smoke rises as conclave fails to elect new pope at first meeting

Thick black smoke billowed into the sky from the Sistine Chapel chimney at the end of the first meeting of cardinals on Wednesday, signalling that no pope has been elected.
The election of the 267th Pope, which commenced on Wednesday, saw 133 cardinals from across the globe converge to choose a new leader for the Catholic Church.
However, the release of black smoke after Wednesday’s meeting means the cardinals will meet again tomorrow to continue the election until a pope is elected.
This follows the burial of Pope Francis, who passed away on Easter Monday morning at the age of 88.
A new pope must poll a two-thirds majority to emerge during the election process. Then, white smoke will be released from the Sistine Chapel chimney.
Earlier on Tuesday, mobile phone signals were shut down to block any form of disruptive surveillance or external interference during the election of the new pope.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette

States
Independence: NBA urges Nigerians to expect better future
The NBA said that ordinary Nigerians should be deriving benefit from the subsidy removal rather than hardship.

Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

States
NIMASA, China sign MoU to boost maritime cooperation
NIMASA said the agreement was signed at the Shanghai Seafarers Assessment Model Centre in Shanghai, China.

Politics
Edo commissioner urges constituents to support APC for development
Eugenia Abdallah, Edo commissioner for women’s affairs and social development, has urged Iraokhor residents to support the APC.

Education
NANS commends security agencies over rescue of kidnap victims in Ogun
NANS commended the cooperation and coordination among the security agencies that led to the successful rescue operation.

Lagos
Lagos assembly to regulate artisans, adopts bill for Sanwo-Olu’s assent
The Lagos State House of Assembly has adopted a bill seeking to regulate the activities of artisans.

States
Makinde blames FG, NYSC as Oyo corps members lament delayed October allowance
The corps members lamented the delay, stating that the non-payment caused inconvenience and financial difficulties.

Anti-Corruption
NDIC vows to block diversion of liquidated banks’ recovered assets, funds
NDIC says there is zero tolerance for diverting funds realised from the sale or recovery of failed banks’ assets.





