Smoke and Silence: Vatican Conclave Begins Without Consensus

Sri Lankan Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith among electors as Church seeks unity and direction after Pope Francis

Black Smoke Rises, but No Decision Yet

The sky above the Vatican was filled with suspense—and smoke—on Wednesday night as thick black plumes billowed from the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel, signaling that the first vote of the papal conclave had ended without consensus. It was the first day of deliberations among the 133 cardinal-electors tasked with choosing a successor to Pope Francis, who died last month at the age of 88.

The dramatic scene unfolded before a crowd of over 45,000 pilgrims in St Peter’s Square, all straining their eyes toward the ancient chimney. Among the electors cloistered inside was Sri Lanka’s own Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, Archbishop of Colombo, a significant voice within the global Church and a potential moral compass for the voting body.

A Time of Reflection and Responsibility

The conclave, governed by centuries of ritual and secrecy, began after a solemn procession and oath of secrecy taken by each cardinal. The first vote commenced around 5:45pm, but by 9:05pm, the black smoke confirmed what many had expected: no pope had been elected on the first ballot.

Before entering conclave, the cardinals celebrated a special Mass led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, who urged his fellow clergy to put aside “personal considerations” and “be guided by love.” The Church, he said, needed leadership for a “difficult and complex turning point in history.”

Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, known for his unwavering advocacy for justice and humility, was among those expected to push for continuity with Pope Francis’s vision—particularly his emphasis on social justice, service to the poor, and interfaith dialogue.

A Divided College Faces a Defining Choice

The conclave faces a tall order: electing a pope capable of uniting a deeply divided college. While some cardinals seek to continue Francis’s reforms, others prefer a return to traditionalist values. Pope Francis’s 12-year papacy brought sweeping changes, but also provoked tension within the Church hierarchy.

Observers suggest that Cardinal Ranjith, though not considered a frontrunner for the papacy, plays a vital role as a bridge between continents and ideologies. His presence also represents the global reach of the Catholic Church—and the hope that voices from Asia and the global South will shape its future.

Smoke Signals from Women, Too

While the male cardinals voted in secrecy, women gathered outside made their voices heard. On Gianicolo Hill, bursts of pink smoke drifted above the Eternal City in a protest organized by Catholic Women’s Ordination, a UK-based group demanding gender inclusion in Church leadership.

“These 133 men will choose a pope using smoke,” said activist Miriam Duignan. “So we responded with our own smoke signals, to call out the injustice of being excluded.”

The role of women in the Church—an issue Pope Francis began to cautiously address—was notably absent from pre-conclave discussions, raising concerns among reform-minded Catholics.

Waiting for White Smoke—and a Future

For Sri Lankan Catholics, the conclave is more than a distant ritual. It’s a reminder that their voice matters in the global Church, and that Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith stands as a watchful participant in shaping the future of Catholicism.

The conclave resumes Thursday with more voting sessions ahead. Until white smoke rises, the world—and Sri Lanka—waits.