THE wait for a new Pope will prolong for another day after black smoke was seen rising from the Sistine Chapel chimney, the signal that no Pope had been elected by the conclave of 133 cardinals.

The conclave that met on May 7 in Vatican City failed to elect the new head of the Catholic Church after one round of voting. A diverse group of cardinals hailing from 70 countries will return to the Sistine Chapel on May 8 to try to elect Pope Francis's successor.

The thousands gathered at St Peter's Square to witness the proceedings via several screens in the piazza will now have to wait a bit longer for the white smoke to indicate a new pope has been found.