• Cardinals are holding up to four rounds of voting today, the second day of the conclave, to elect a new pope, with smoke signals indicating the outcome of each voting session.
• The conclave involves 133 cardinal electors who are sequestered, with no contact with the outside world, until a new pope is chosen.
• The election is influenced by various factors, including differing priorities among the cardinals, recent declarations by the late Pope Francis, and historical precedents for conclave durations.

The Catholic Church is currently engaged in a conclave to elect a new pope following the death of Pope Francis. The 133 cardinals are sequestered in the Vatican, specifically within the Sistine Chapel, and are participating in multiple rounds of voting each day. The outcome of these votes is signaled to the outside world through smoke emitted from a chimney atop the chapel – white smoke indicates the election of a new pope, while black smoke signifies that no decision has been reached. This process will continue until a two-thirds majority is achieved.

• What: Election of a new pope by the College of Cardinals.
• Who: 133 cardinal electors are participating in the conclave.
• When: The second day of voting is May 8, 2025. Voting takes place multiple times a day until a pope is elected.
• Where: The Sistine Chapel in Vatican City.

The conclave is a complex process influenced by a variety of factors, including internal church politics, the legacy of the previous pope, and the backgrounds and priorities of the cardinal electors. The diversity within the College of Cardinals, many of whom were appointed by Pope Francis, could lead to a more fragmented selection process. The election can be seen as a referendum on the direction of the Church, with some cardinals seeking to maintain the reforms initiated by Francis and others advocating for a more conservative approach. Historical precedents suggest that the duration of the conclave can vary significantly, from a few days to several months, although recent conclaves have been relatively short.

As the second day of the conclave unfolds, the cardinal electors continue their deliberations, seeking divine guidance and consensus in choosing Pope Francis's successor. The world watches, anticipating the white smoke from the Sistine Chapel that will signal the election of the 267th Pope. This new leader will inherit a Catholic Church facing complex challenges: declining influence in the West, the need for greater transparency regarding clergy sexual abuse, and internal divisions concerning the role of women and outreach to the LGBTQ+ community. The next Pope's chosen name may signal the direction the Catholic Church moves in the coming years. The cardinals are looking for a unifying figure to repair relations in a deeply divided Church, as well as the standing of the institution in global politics. The outcome of this conclave will not only determine the next leader of 1.4 billion Catholics but also shape the future direction of the Church in a rapidly changing world.