VATICAN CITY -- Black smoke billowed from the chimney above the Sistine Chapel at 9 p.m. Wednesday signalling that the 133 cardinal electors had failed to elect a new pope in their first vote of the Conclave and will resume their voting Thursday morning.

  The traditional smoke signal was delayed for some two hours after the expected time of 7 p.m. given by the Vatican press office, creating increasing excitement among 45000 people gathered in St Peter's Square and 4000 journalists working in the crowded Vatican press office.

 Vatican watchers had predicted that the search for a new pope following the death on Easter Monday of Pope Francis might be a lengthy process because a two thirds majority of 89 votes is required for election of the new pontiff. 

 jp