All eyes on Sistine Chapel chimney as conclave enters day two

A plume of black smoke rose over the crowds thronging St Peter's Square late Wednesday, confirming that the conclave's first ballot had not secured a two-thirds majority to name a successor to the late Pope Francis. The 133 "Princes of the Church" spent the night sequestered in the Santa Marta guesthouse, and were to seek divine inspiration at private mass early Thursday before embarking on a second day of voting. If the morning's first secret ballot fails again to identify a clear winner from the crowded pack, a second vote will be held.