Black smoke emerged from the Vatican's Sistine Chapel Tuesday, signaling the Roman Catholic Cardinals have failed to reach a decision, according to The Associated Press.

Cardinals at the Vatican met Tuesday to begin the process of electing a successor to the retired Pope Benedict XVI, according to CNN. Black smoke was seen by thousands of faithful onlookers in St. Peter Square, NPR reported.

Tuesday marked the first day the conclave met to discuss the election. No pope will be chosen until white smoke is seen from the chimney of the Vatican, according to The New York Times