The chimney at the roof of the Sistine chapel seemed to be the thing most viewed in the Vatican today. The heavy rain at mid-afternoon complete with hailstones was not enough to deter people from flocking to St. Peter's Square. On the big television screens in the piazza, the faithful watched the cardinals in the solemn swear-in ceremony at the Sistine Chapel. Then there was a few hours of lull, as the screen displayed the now ubiquitous chimney. Umbrellas adorned the Piazza and as light blended with the grey of twilight, the crowd started building up.

By seven in the evening,St. Peter's Square was full. Everyone's eyes were on the chimney of the Sistine chapel. Then a puff of smoke came out and for a moment it looked white as the people cheered with joy, but that was only the initial part, for the black smoke followed, in great volume. It was pitch black, as dark as the cloudy night. A collective sigh of disappointment and everyone started heading home. There was no pope yet.

Pictures:
1) Black smoke from the chimney as seen from the huge screen at St. Peter's Square;
2) earlier in the afternoon, the chimney of the Sistine Chapel;
3) the crowd thickening in the late afternoon;
4) camera aimed at the balcony where the pope, if elected this evening would appear;
5) umbrellas were a feature in the Piazza;
6) waiting for Tagle? Filipino flags among the throng;
7) the people patiently wait for the smoke;
8) the statue of St. Paul with the huge television screen;
9) the seemingly invisible smoke as black as the night;
10) before the dispersal, hoping for white smoke next time.