From now on, the cardinals cannot have any communication with the outside world until a new pope is elected.
There will only be one round of voting this afternoon, but if a decision is not made, the cardinals vote up to four times every day afterwards.
Because a new pope requires a two-thirds majority, the process can take some time, although the last two conclaves concluded by the end of day two.
To cast their vote, each cardinal casts their vote on a card that says in Latin, “I elect as Supreme Pontiff” alongside the name of their chosen candidate.
They walk in order of their seniority to place their cards inside the large silver and gilded urn.
Only senior Catholic leaders known as cardinals – who must be under 80 – are eligible to vote, and the choice of a new pontiff is seen as both a duty and a spiritual responsibility.
