Reaction in St. Peter’s Square to black smoke on first day of Conclave to elect new pope

The faithful and curious at St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City reacted to the “unique moment” of watching the smoke billow out from the Sistine Chapel.

Italian faithful Deborah Ruffalo said she “waited anxiously and with great anticipation” for the smoke that would signal whether a new pope had been elected or not to pour out of the chimney on Wednesday.

“We’re placing our hopes in tomorrow, which is also a Marian day, the…