The College of cardinals continues into Wednesday as the secret conclave proceeds to its goal to choose a new head for the Catholic church.

One vote was taken yesterday, with the expected result as the cardinals begin to narrow down the vote for the church’s new Bishop of Rome or Pope. In the second day, the voting results emmanated from the stack of the chimney in the form of black smoke signifying that no decision was made.

The faithful, curious and the media continue their watch outside of the Sistine Chapel, awaiting news of a new pope which will be signified by white smoke wafting from the chimney erected there.

After the initial vote held yesterday, the conclave will continue its voting, doing so four times each day, twice in the morning and twice in the afternoon for three days before the cardinals take a short break that lasts a maximum of one day. This will continue in a series of seven unsuccessful votes until until a new pontiff is selected.Once a suiitable candidate is elected, that person must accept the seat.

The 115 cardinals are sworn to secrecy, under the pain of excommunication, during the secret balloting process. They must remain until a new pope is chosen with a supermajority vote of at least 77 balllots.

While most popes carry on in their position for their remaining years of life, but on occasion, a pope will step down for personal reason. This is the case with 85-year-old Pope Benedict, who resigned for health reasons, saying he did not have the strength to carry out his duties. The last time a pope resigned from his position was in 1415, when Pope Gregory XII stepped down.

Although the cardinals can vote for anyone to take up the seat as pontiff, the cardinals generally confine the vote to one of their own. This because of their familiarity to each other and the relatively small list of candidates. There are over 5,000 bishops in the world and 410,000 priests.