A plume of black smoke rose from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday night, marking the end of the first round of voting in the papal conclave without the election of a new pope. The vote comes in the wake of the death of Pope Francis, who passed away last month at the age of 88. The color of the smoke — black for no decision, white for a successful election — serves as the only public indication of the proceedings inside. Meanwhile, the faithful around the world wait in prayerful anticipation, watching the Vatican skyline for signs of resolution. The next pope will inherit both the spiritual leadership of 1.3 billion Catholics and the weight of complex global challenges.