Video: Papal conclave: black smoke signals no new pope after first vote Cardinals entered the Sistine Chapel on Tuesday to elect the next pope, but there is no clear indication yet of who the next leader of the world's 1.2 billion Catholics will be. The 115 scarlet-robed cardinals chanted an oath of secrecy, and each one placed his hand on the Gospel to "promise, pledge and swear" to keep it. The chapel was then emptied of all other Vatican officials and the doors closed, only to be re-opened when a new pope has been selected. At just before 8pm in Rome (7pm UK time) black smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, to signal that the first ballot had taken place, but no clear winner had emerged. The next round of voting will take place on Wednesday.