Second Day Ends Without New Pope Elected

The second day of the papal conclave ended without the election of a new pope, as black smoke signaled no consensus after two more rounds of voting. The 133 cardinal-electors, representing unprecedented global diversity, remain secluded in the Vatican under stringent security measures, including signal jammers and the surrender of cellphones. No candidate has yet achieved the required two-thirds majority, and voting is set to continue through additional rounds. Observers in St. Peter’s Square and church leaders hope for a swift resolution, though the conclave could last several days. The world awaits to see if the Catholic Church will continue Pope Francis’s reformist direction or shift toward traditionalism. The outcome reflects the complexity and diversity of the modern church.