Vatican City: Black smoke poured out of the chimney of the Sistine Chapel on Thursday just before noon, signaling that the cardinals assembled to pick a new pope had still not reached a decision on a second day of voting.

According to National News Agency – Lebanon, the first inconclusive ballot on Wednesday evening lasted well over three hours from the time the papal master of ceremonies gave the order, ‘extra omnes,’ Latin for ‘everybody out.’ When it comes to the conclave to elect the next pope, the waiting is the hardest part. And the world will have to be patient for at least a few more hours, as the cardinals in the conclave break for lunch and convene again for the next secret ballot.