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.
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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.
