The College of Cardinals failed to elect a new pope in the first round of voting held on Wednesday at the Sistine Chapel, following the death of Pope Francis on April 21.

According to Vatican tradition, black smoke billowed from the chapel’s chimney, indicating that no candidate received the required two-thirds majority to become the next leader of the Catholic Church.

A total of 133 cardinals entered the Sistine Chapel, accompanied by Christian hymns, and each cardinal took the oath of secrecy one by one.

Following the oath, the Latin command “Extra Omnes” – meaning “All those not involved must leave” – was issued, signaling the start of the closed-door voting session.

Starting Thursday, the cardinals will conduct four voting sessions per day – two in the morning and two in the afternoon – until a new pope is elected.

If a candidate receives the necessary votes, white smoke will rise from the chapel’s chimney, signaling that a new spiritual leader for the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics has been chosen.