In a climate of euphoria, more than 45,000 saw the first smoke from the conclave

Arms up to register the moment with the phone. By the way, cell phones did not work very well, but it was already known that the signs throughout the Vatican would be turned off.

During the wait, the salves of palms went and came as if to send a message: finish, we are tired! But it was obvious that no one would be heard, the 133 voting cardinals were locked in the Sistine chapel under the severe gaze of the final judgment painted by Michelangelo.

Black smoke was expected as it is difficult for white to appear on the first day. She left the chimney to disappear in the sky. In the conclave, it is known, the smoke is white or black, hope or waiting.

If it is black, it means that there was no consensus. The conclave follows, and with it the choreography of discrete alliances, prayers and negotiations. If it is white, the show reaches its climax: we have a new Pope.

Tomorrow four votes are planned: two in the morning and two in the afternoon. At the end of each shift, the chimney again expresses itself. There may also be extraordinary smoke if the consensus is reached in the first vote of the shift. And this must be white.