Pilgrims waited with joyous excitement, roar of cheers anticipating first conclave vote

VATICAN CITY – As the "chimney watch" for the conclave result almost reaches the three-hour mark, the crowd has continued to break into applause in joyous excitement but nervous anticipation.

Between 8:00 PM and 8:52 PM Vatican time, the crowd has already cheered seven times.

After seven rounds of cheers and applause, crowds now leave with disappointment as black smoke rises from Sistine Chapel's chimney.

The black smoke appeared at exactly 9:00 PM.

Temperatures now drop to a chilly 16 degrees Celsius, with winds blowing throughout St. Peter's Square. Some people already drape flags around themselves while some wear their raincoats to keep warm.

The throngs of crowds extend beyond St. Peter's Square, up to Piazza Pio XII, and to Via Della Conciliazione.

Between 30,000 and 45,000 people are now in the Square and its adjoining plazas and streets, based on media reports citing Italian police estimates, Vatican Media, and ANSA News Agency in Italy.

The crowd dispersed almost immediately after they saw the outcome of the cardinals' first vote. — BAP, GMA Integrated News