First black smoke from Sistine Chapel signals no new pope

VATICAN CITY (AFP) - The first black smoke emerged from the chimney on the Sistine Chapel roof on Tuesday, signalling that the cardinals meeting in a secret conclave have failed in their first vote to elect a new pope.

As the smoke billowed out of the chimney, tens of thousands of onlookers in St Peter's Square cheered in excitement or booed in mock disappointment.

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