133 cardinals from 70 countries will be isolated today (Wednesday) from the outside world, to elect a new Pope.
The conclave – a tradition dating back to medieval times – seeks a successor to Pope Francis whom they hope can unite a diverse but divided Church.
About 133 cardinal electors have gathered at the Vatican from five continents to pick a successor to Pope Francis, who died last month after a 12-year-long papacy.
No pope has been elected on the first day of a conclave for centuries, so voting could continue for several days.
The process of the conclave will begin at 10:00 CET with a Mass in St Peter’s Basilica presided over by the dean of the College of Cardinals, Giovanni Battista Re.
With clerics from around 70 countries, this conclave is the largest ever and the next pontiff will have to secure at least 89 votes — a two-thirds majority.
There will be only one ballot on Wednesday. Thereafter, the cardinals can vote as many as four times a day.
Black smoke from a chimney on the roof of the chapel will mark an inconclusive vote, while white smoke and the peeling of bells will signal that the 1.4-billion member church has a new leader.
