This morning around 11:30am local time, Msgr. Guido Marini, the master of ceremonies for the papal conclave, intoned the famous words: “Extra omnes!”, which command that everyone who is not a cardinal elector or a conclave secretary to vacate the Sistine Chapel immediately. As soon as all those “extras” had filed out, Msgr. Marini dramatically closed the Sistine Chapel doors, and the papal conclave officially begun.
About two hours later, black smoke poured from the Sistine Chapel chimney. No pope……YET!
The next time to look for smoke will be between 5-6am Central Time tomorrow when the ballots from the morning votes are burned.
UW GradCatholic 