Conclave LIVE: US reacts to first ever American pontiff as Robert Prevost elected Pope Leo XIV - latest updates

Former Cardinal Robert Prevost stunned his hometown on Thursday when the Vatican announced that the 69-year-old Chicago native had been chosen as the first U.S.-born pontiff in the 2,000-year history of the Catholic Church.

His selection unleashed celebration among Catholics in the Midwestern city.

'For Catholics in Chicago, this is somebody who gets us, who knows us, who knows our experience, seeing the closures and the dwindling congregations, and the diminishing Catholic presence in America in general,' said Father Michael Pfleger, a priest at St. Sabina Catholic Church on Chicago's South Side.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, in remarks posted on social media, was more plain-spoken in his exuberance, declaring: 'Everything dope, including the Pope, comes from Chicago!'

The voting history of the first-ever American pope shocked few when it was revealed on Thursday that he participates in Republican primaries.

Cardinal Robert Prevost, who was born in Chicago, Illinois and is of French and Italian descent, is a registered Republican. He has voted in GOP primaries and general elections when he is in the country, according to his voting record.

His registration, however, should not be confused with support for President Donald Trump.

A 2014 tweet is going viral where Prevost called Jesus a migrant and some of his social media content has been critical of the president.

Turning Point Action published his history showing that as recently as August 2023, Prevost was registered as a Republican and voted in the 2024 presidential election.

The new pope, who chose the name Pope Leo XIV, has a 'strong Republican' record, and according to conservative nonprofit's data, he is staunchly pro-life – not an unusual stance for the Catholic Church.

The brother of Pope Leo XIV revealed that he warned the newly-elected pontiff not to use the Italian name because it could be an unlucky choice.

The man once known as Cardinal Robert Prevost is the first American-born pontiff, having grown up in the suburbs of Chicago.

His brother, John Prevost, admitted that his brother had spoken to him prior to the conclave and asked him what his name should be.

'We started rattling off names just to rattle off names,' he said, before his brother made a now-hilarious suggestion.

'I told him it shouldn't be Leo because it will be the 13th,' Prevost said, suggesting it was an unlucky number.

However, as both the pope and Prevost realized, the most recent Pope Leo was, in fact, the 13th, making this Pope Leo the 14th.

The Pope – the supreme head of the Roman Catholic Church – does not earn a traditional salary.

Instead, the Vatican, the world's smallest independent country, provides for the pontiff's every need – from accommodation and food to travel, healthcare, and security.

After it was revealed that Robert Prevost had publicly criticised JD Vance and expressed sympathy for immigrants and George Floyd, MAGA fanatics and right-wing figures were quick to comment on the new pope.

While millions of Americans have been celebrating cardinal Robert Prevost's election as the new pontiff, Trump loyalists have condemned the 'WOKE MARXIST POPE'.

Some have even said he is 'wrose than Francis' in reference to his predecessor who was known for his progressiveness.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has congratulated Pope Leo XIV, writing on social media: "Ukraine deeply values the Holy See’s consistent position in upholding international law, condemning the Russian Federation’s military aggression against Ukraine, and protecting the rights of innocent civilians."

"I wish His Holiness Leo XIV wisdom, inspiration, and strength - both spiritual and physical - in carrying out his noble mission,' he added.

Zelensky also expressed his hopes for the "continued moral and spiritual support of the Vatican in Ukraine’s efforts to restore justice and achieve a lasting peace".

Russian President Vladimir Putin also congratulated the new pope and wished him "success."

An X account under the name of Robert Prevost has shared several articles that address Catholic JD Vance's stance on immigration.

One of them is titled: 'JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn't ask us to rank our love for others.'

The LGBT+ Catholics Westminster Pastoral Council hopes Pope Leo XIV has 'moved on' from previous remarks made by him in which he criticised the 'homosexual lifestyle.'

“We trust he will be open to listen to the lived experience of LGBT+ Catholics, their parents and families,” a statement by the faith group says.

Back in 2012, Prevost said that 'Western mass media is extraordinarily effective in fostering within the general public enormous sympathy for beliefs and practices that are at odds with the Gospel — for example abortion, homosexual lifestyle, euthanasia”.

This is the moment crowds erupted in joy and jubilation as white smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel - signifying the election of a new pope.

Pope Francis's successor was decided after 133 cardinals gathered in the Sistine Chapel on 7 May to start the conclave.

Following his graduation in Pennsylvania, Prevost first went to Peru in 1985 as a missionary before being named the Roman Catholic Diocese for the Chulucanas region that same year.

Prevost - also known as Father Bob - returned to work as a pastor in Chicago in 1987 for one year before becoming the head of the Augustinian seminary in Trujillo, Peru - a role he kept for a decade.

In 1998, he was elected as the head of the Augustinian Province of Chicago, making him one of the leading religious figures in the United States.

The man he succeeded to lead the Vatican, Pope Francis, brought Prevost to Italy in 2023 and handed him a prominent post heading into the Conclave, a process where cardinals vote in secret to elect the new Pope that was watched in anticipation by millions.

From his first moments on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, Pope Leo XIV gave three important clues about what kind of leader of the 1.4-billion-member Catholic Church he will be.

Leo's first clue was his choice of name. Popes often use this choice to send their first major signal about the priorities of their new papacy.

Francis took his name from the 13th century St. Francis of Assisi, who rejected wealth and wanted to care for the poor.

The last pope to take the name Leo, Leo XIII, focused much of his 1878-1903 papacy on advocating for the rights of workers, calling for fair pay, fair working conditions, and the right to join unions.

'By picking the name Leo XIV, he shows he is committed to the social teaching of the church,' said Rev. Thomas Reese, a Jesuit commentator who follows the papacy closely.

Leo's second clue was his choice of language and the words he spoke, which put a clear emphasis on the need for peace, something Francis also often focused on.

None of his speech to the crowds gathered in St. Peter's Square was in English, but rather Italian, the language of the papacy, and a brief foray into Spanish to greet his former community in Peru. He did not mention the U.S.

'La pace sia con tutti voi!' (Peace be with you!), Leo's first words in public, echoed the ones Catholics use in their celebrations but also offered an immediate message of peace in a world riven with conflict.

Leo's third clue was in his choice of attire: Unlike Francis, who spurned all the trappings of the papacy including on the first day he was elected in 2013, Leo wore a traditional red papal garment over his white cassock.

Prevost enters the papacy not without some scandal in his past, and some have already pointed to an incident over two decades ago when he became embroiled in the Catholic Church's child abuse controversy.

In 2000, he came under scrutiny for allowing Father James Ray, an Augustinian priest who had been suspended from the ministry nine years before due to allegations of sexual abuse of minors, to reside at his St John Stone Friary in Chicago.

He would go on to take a public stance against the way that the Catholic Church handled the pedophilia scandal, telling La Republica in 2019 that it must move away from its culture of cover-ups.

'We reject the cover-up and secrecy, that does a lot of damage, because we have to help the people who have suffered from the bad act,' he said.

He urged victims to come forward, adding: 'Many times it was shut up and don't talk, you can't ask for that.

'On behalf of the Church we want to tell people that if there was any offense, if they suffered or are victims of the bad actions of a priest to come and denounce it, to act for the good of the Church, of the person and the community.'

A classmate of Leo XIV has told how he decided early on in his life to dedicate himself to priesthood.

John Doughney, who grew up with Leo in Dolton, in the south suburbs of Chicago, said it was no surprise he was part of the conclave that ultimately led to him becoming pontiff.

'It was pretty apparent back then that was going to be his route,' said Doughney who studied alongside Leo at St. Mary’s grade school.

Speaking to the Chicago Sun-Times, Doughney added:

Some of us had considered it. It was kind of a fantasy for most young men. For him, I think it was true calling. And, even as a young teenager, he knew what he wanted to do and where he wanted to go.

It’s official – the first American Pope is a Chicago Cubs devotee, and fans are already hailing his appointment as a blessing for their long-suffering baseball team.

Ecstatic supporters wasted no time declaring divine intervention for the club’s fortunes.

'Now you know he cares for the less fortunate,' one fan wrote on X, referencing the Cubs’ historic struggles.

After all, their 2017 World Series victory was their first in over 100 years.

Across the US, social media is in a frenzy as Americans rush to find out everything about the new pontiff. But one delicious mystery still hangs in the air: will it be deep-dish Chicago pizza or the Roman slice that wins his papal heart?

Thank you. Brothers and sisters, dear brothers and sisters. This is the first greeting of Christ resurrected, the good pastor who gave life for the Lord.

And I would also like this greeting of peace to come into your hearts and join your families and join everyone, everyone. Whoever they are, all peoples and the whole earth, peace be with you.

This is the peace of Christ resurrected. It's a peace that's disarmed and disarming, humble, and will also persevere.

And it comes from God, God who loves all of us, unconditionally. And let us hear even the weak voices.

And Pope Francis, in fact, was always courageous, and he blessed Rome. The Pope that blessed Rome gave his blessing to the world, to the whole world on that Easter morning. So let us follow up that blessing. God loves us. God loves all of you, and sin will not prevail.

We are all in the hands of God. And at the same time, without fear, let us be united, hands in hand, with God and amongst ourselves, let's move forward.

Because we are the disciples of Christ. Christ preceded us. The world needs your light. Humanity necessitates, needs him, just as a bridge.

In order to be able to get to God and to reach God's love. Help us, you must also help us and help one another to build bridges, build bridges through dialogue, through meetings, and we all must be a single people, always living in peace.

Thanks to Pope Francis. And I would also like to thank all my brother cardinals who have chosen me to be the successor of Peter and to walk together with you as a united church, always trying to find peace, justice, and always trying to work as men and women faithful to Jesus Christ without fear.

And to proclaim Evangel and also to be missionaries.

I am a son of St. Augustine. In fact, I belong to the movement of St Augustine, and St Augustine said, 'I am Christian with you'.

To that extent, we can all walk together. We can all work together towards that land. God has prepared us for.

And to the Church of Rome, I'd like to give you a special greeting.

Together, we must try to find out how to be a missionary church, a church that builds bridges... establishes dialogues that are always open to receive on this piazza with open arms - to be able to receive everybody that needs our charity, our presence, dialogue and love.

I would just like, also, to say something in Spanish, just a few words.

And I particularly like... to say hello to my compatriots from Peru. It was a great pleasure for me to work in Peru.

So to all of you, brothers and sisters, of Rome, Italy, of the whole world, we need to be a church that is joined, a church that walks the path of peace, that's always looking for charity, that is always looking to be close, especially to those that are suffering.

And today, it's the day in which we pray to the Madonna of Pompeii. Our mother, Mary, always wants to walk along with us, to stay close to us and to help us, to help with her love and her intercession.

So I would like to pray with you. Let us pray together for this new mission, for the whole church. And for peace throughout the world.

And let's ask for this special grace from Mary, our mother.

So hail Mary, full of grace, our Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

To all the faithful here present, and to all those who receive his blessing through the radio, through television, and other technologies of communication. You can recognise him in the way recognised by the church.

Let us hope that he's preserved for a long time and ensure peace to the church throughout the world.

The selection of a US-born pope could have profound impact on the future of the U.S. Catholic Church, which has been sharply divided between conservatives and progressives.

Francis, with Prevost's help at the help of the bishop vetting office, had embarked on a 12-year project to rein in the traditionalist tendencies in the United States.

Prevost's election 'is a deep sign of commitment to social issues. I think it is going to be exciting to see a different kind of American Catholicism in Rome,' said Natalia Imperatori-Lee, a professor of religious studies at Manhattan University in New York City.

Significantly, Prevost presided over one of the most revolutionary reforms Francis made, when he added three women to the voting bloc that decides which bishop nominations to forward to the pope.

Robert Prevost's name had circled among the 'papabili' - cardinals thought qualified for the papacy - as someone who could defend and further Francis's legacy.

But he was not a globally-recognised figure among the Catholic rank and file.

The frontrunner was thought to be Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, 67, from the Philippines, who would have been the first Asian pope.

Pietro Parolin, the current secretary of state for the Vatican, was also considered to be a leading candidate.

UN chief Antonio Guterres congratulated Pope Leo on Thursday and said his election comes as a troubled world needs peace, social justice, human dignity and compassion.

'I look forward to building on the long legacy of cooperation between the United Nations and the Holy See - nurtured most recently by Pope Francis - to advance solidarity, foster reconciliation, and build a just and sustainable world for all,' Guterres said in a statement.

Peruvian President Dina Boluarte on Thursday hailed the election of Pope Leo XIV as a 'historic moment' for her country, where the American-Peruvian pontiff spent more than 20 years as a missionary and bishop.

The US-born pope, who became a Peruvian national in 2015, 'chose to be one of us, to live among us and to carry in his heart the faith, culture and dreams of this country,' Boluarte wrote on Facebook.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday congratulated Pope Leo XIV and the 'Catholic community worldwide' on the election of the new pontiff.

'I wish the first Pope from the United States success in fostering hope and reconciliation among all faiths,' Netanyahu said in post on X from the prime minister's office.

by Nick Pisa in the Vatican

Now we know the new religious leader of the Catholic Church - let's take a look at what will be the top of Pope Leo XIV's to-do list.

Uppermost undoubtedly will be peace in the world’s trouble spots particularly Ukraine and the Middle East and Leo will be keen to pick up where his predecessor Francis left.

He will also have to deal with doctrinal issues including the role of women in the Church and marginalised groups such as migrants, poor and the LGBT community.

Leo must also get to grips with the Vatican's finances after they took a bashing during a bungled London property deal which saw one cardinal convicted of fraud.

And he will have to tackle the problem of historic abuse within the church by clergy.

In Peru's capital, Lima, the bells of the cathedral rang after Cardinal Robert Prevost was announced as Pope Francis' successor.

Peruvians were elated after a Catholic cardinal who spent years guiding the faithful in the South American country and they see as one of their own was elected pope.

Pope Leo XIV is a dual citizen of the United States and Peru, where he first served as a missionary and then as an archbishop. That made him the first pope from each country.

People outside the church quickly expressed their desire for a papal visit.

For us Peruvians, it is a source of pride that this is a pope who represents our country. We would like him to visit us here in Peru, elementary school teacher Isabel Panez said, who was near the cathedral when the news was announced.

He will be very sensitive to the social doctrine of the Church and will undoubtedly be attentive to the signs of the times, the Rev. Edinson Farfán, bishop of Chiclayo, said.

Leo, standing on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica for the first time as pope, addressed in Spanish the people of Chiclayo, which sits just 14 km away from Peru's northern Pacific coast and is among the country's most populous cities.

'Greetings... to all of you, and in particular, to my beloved diocese of Chiclayo in Peru, where a faithful people have accompanied their bishop, shared their faith,' he said.

Diana Celis, who attended several Masses officiated by Prevost in Chiclayo, said that the cardinal would often repeat that he had 'come from Chicago to Chiclayo, the only difference is a few letters'.

Pictured below is Cardinal Robert Prevost in Peru where he worked as bishop.

The former US President wrote on X: 'Michelle and I send our congratulations to a fellow Chicagoan, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV.

'This is a historic day for the United States, and we will pray for him as he begins the sacred work of leading the Catholic Church and setting an example for so many, regardless of faith.'

Cardinal Robert Prevost, the first U.S. pope in the 2,000-year history of the Catholic Church, previously led a Catholic religious order.

Prevost, 69, who chose the name Pope Leo XIV, was formerly the prior general, or leader, of the Order of St. Augustine, which was formed in the 13th century as a community of 'mendicant' friars - dedicated to poverty, service and evangelization.

The requirements and ethos of the order are traced to the fifth century St. Augustine of Hippo, one of the theological and devotional giants of early Christianity.

The Order of St. Augustine has a presence in about 50 countries, according to its website. Its ethos includes a contemplative spirituality, communal living and service to others.

A core value in their rule is to 'live together in harmony, being of one mind and one heart on the way to God'.

A religious order is a community of Catholics - which can include priests, nuns, monks and even lay people - dedicated to a particular type of mission and spirituality. Unlike diocesan priests, who work within a particular territory, religious-order priests might be assigned anywhere in the world. At the same time, they might handle tasks similar to diocesan priests, such as being pastor of a parish.

Pope Francis was the first pope from the Jesuit religious order, and he was the first pope in more than a century and a half to come from any religious order. The previous one was Gregory XVI, a Camaldolese monk (1831-1846). In all, 34 of the 266 popes have belonged to religious orders, according to America, a Jesuit magazine.

Also according to the magazine, there had been six Augustinians to become pope before Leo XIV.

Michelle O’Neill, the first minister of Northern Ireland, used her message of congratualtions to urge the new pope to stand for the people of Gaza, as his predecessor Pope Francis did.

'This is a day of profound significance for Catholics in Ireland and worldwide, as Pope Leo XIV assumes his role of spiritual leader.

'I hope he will use his influence to stand up for the marginalised and oppressed, champion peace, and lead with courage and compassion - just as his predecessor, Pope Francis, did.

'As the genocide in Gaza continues and a devastating famine looms, I encourage the Pope to stand unwaveringly for the rights of the Palestinian people to life, dignity, and freedom, and to urgently use his influence to help bring an end to this barbaric genocide.'

by Nick Pisa in the Vatican

Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said Pope Leo's election was 'joyful news' and that there would be mass of thanks at the Sistine Chapel on Friday.

While on Sunday there would be the traditional blessing from St Peter's and the new Pope would be meeting the world's media and giving a press conference.

The former missionary, who will be known as Pope Leo XIV, has criticized the Trump administration's moves on immigration repeatedly and expressed support for progressive causes.

His last retweet, on April 14, slams the Trump administration's deportation of undocumented migrant and Maryland resident Kilmar Abrego Garcia to El Salvador.

The post reads: 'Do you not see the suffering? Is your conscience not disturbed? How can you stay quiet?'

Pope Leo XIV also shared several articles that address Catholic JD Vance's stance on immigration. One of them is titled: 'JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn't ask us to rank our love for others.'

Back in 2017, Pope Leo reposted a message in support of DACA recipients - those undocumented migrants brought to the US by their parents when they were children.

Cardinal Prevost had emerged in recent days as a contender which was a surprise as normally cardinals steer away from those that come from a 'superpower'.

The tennis loving cardinal – who is also known as Father Bob – is seen as the 'least American of the Americans' and is seen as a silent reformer who would carry on the work of Pope Francis.

He was a popular choice with the Latin American and North American cardinals, although he has kept his views on topics such as women clergy and same sex unions noticeably quiet.

It's a momentous occasion for Catholics when a new pope steps out on the balcony overlooking St Peter's Square after white smoke has appeared from the Sistine Chapel.

After the cardinals have voted in their pontiff, the winner is taken from the Sistine Chapel to the Stanza delle Lacrime (Room of Tears) to dress in his new white robes.

When Pope Francis was elected he made the unconventional decision to only use the white robes and not the adorned garments.

He also wore a simple cross he had used his whole life rather than a new, more decorated one.

Pope Francis did this as a marker of simplicty, which he continued throughout his time as pope.

It's interesting to note that Pope Leo chose to have a different look for the first time he stepped out as the new Catholic leader.

Pope Leo XIV was known as Cardinal Robert Prevost before he was elected and was appointed prelate prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops by Pope Francis in 2023.

Here's the moment he received his biretta at the Ordinary Public Consistory for the Creation of new Cardinal.

The new Pope was made a cardinal by the late Pope Francis who brought him to the Vatican in 2023 to serve as the powerful head of the office that vets bishop nominations from around the world, one of the most important jobs in the Catholic Church.

As a result, Prevost, now Leo XIV, had a prominence going into the conclave that few other cardinals had.

His chances may have been hampered by his American nationality given there has been reluctance against a US Pope but he has another nationality by virtue of a Peruvian passport, having served in the South American country for many years.

While Prevost is seen overall as a centrist, on some key social issues he's viewed as progressive. He has long embraced marginalised groups, a lot like Francis, who championed migrants and the poor.

But, also like Pope Francis, the Illinois native opposes ordaining women as deacons, for instance, so on that point he's seen as conservative on church doctrine.

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer hailed the pontiff's as a 'momentous moment' and said that he looks 'forward to meeting the Holy Father and continuing to work closely with the Catholic Church'.

World leaders have begun to share their congratulations to Pope Leo XIV on social media, one of the first coming from French President Emmanuel Macron

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also congratulated Pope Leo's appointment with a plea for continued support from the Vatican

American flags have been seen flying in the 150,000 people strong crowd in St Peter's Square.

The new pontiff was an American cardinal and is the first pope to come from the US.

Donald Trump has just shared his congratulations to Pope Leo XIV and said it was a 'great honour' for the country.

Moer than 150,000 people are thought to be celebrating in St Peter's Square at the announcement of the new pope.

Leo XIV is the 267th pontiff and went by the name Cardinal Robert Prevost before becoming the leader of the Catholic Church.

The US President has reacted to the announcement of the new pope by sharing a post on Truth Social:

Pope Leo XIV has been speaking in both Italian and Spanish in his first speech as pope.

After his first words of 'peace be with you all', he continued on with a message of harmony.

'Brothers and sisters dearest, this is the first greeting of Christ resurrected,' he siad.

'I would like to offer a greeting of peace to reach your families, all of you, wherever you are. May peace be with you.'

From the loggia of St. Peter's Basilica, history's first American pope recalled he was an Augustinian priest, but that he was above all a Christian above all and a bishop, 'So we can all walk together'.

He added that 'God loves us all, unconditionally' and paid tribute to his predecessor Pope Francis.

He went on to thank the cardinals who elected him as thier new leader.

It was at the end he switched into speaking Spanish, thanking his former dicoese in Peru 'where a loyal people has shared its faith and has given a lot'.

He went on to recall his many years spent as a missionary and then archbishop of Chiclayo.

Pope Leo XIV has been speaking to the crowd in St Peter's Square

Chicago-born Cardinal Prevost is considered a reformer but might be seen by some as too young for hs position as pontiff at an age of 69.

He worked for many years as a missionary in Peru before being made an archbishop there.

However his period there was marred by allegations of covering up sexual abuse claims, which were denied by his diocese.

He was chosen two years ago by Pope Francis to replace Marc Ouellet as prefect of the Vatican's Dicastery for Bishops, handing him the task of selecting the next generation of bishops.

The new pope - Leo XIV - has begun speaking to the crowd in St Peter's Square.

His first words were 'peace be with you all'.

The new pope has just stepped out onto the balcony overlooking St peter's Square in his papal robes.

By Nick Pisa in the Vatican

There was a stunned moment of silence when the name of American Robert Francis Prevost was announced taking the name Leon XIV.

Chants of 'Leon, Leon' ran through the crowd who still appeared to be shocked with many mouthing 'An American?'

Traditionally cardinals have steered away from electing a Pope from a superpower and the news came following a report that US president had donated $14 million to the Vatican.

The new pope - Leo XIV - is about to speak to the crowds gathered in St Peter's Square in his first speech as the new Catholic Church leader.

The new pope is Robert Francis Prevost from the US and will be called Pope Leo XIV.

The famous 'Habemus Papam' was just read out over the huge crowds in St Peter's Square.

Crowds have been waiting to see the identity of the next leader of the Catholic Church after seeing the white smoke billow from the Sistine Chapel less than an hour ago.

Cardinal Protodeacon Dominique Mamberti was the one who announced the winner.

It doesn't take much for the crowds in St Peter's Square to erupt into cheer.

Everyone is just itching to see who will step out on the balcony as the next pontiff.

When one person starts clapping it starts catching on very quickly - the excitement is just palpable.

We should only be moments away from discovering who is the new pope...

All eyes are now on the red-draped central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica where the next pontiff will step out

Older cardinals who didn't participate in the conclave rush out to the square

These cardinals lined up as military bands played the Italian and Holy See national anthems.

Spotted in the crowd were American Cardinals Sean O'Malley and Donald Wuerl, both of whom are over 80 and didn't vote.

That's where a cardinal will soon emerge to "to proclaim a new pope to Rome and to the world."

There is incredible excitement - the crowd is roaring, and some are shouting "hallelujah!"

Swiss Guards have taken position in front of front of St. Peter's Basilica

A marching brass band in blue uniforms led a contingent of Swiss guards through the crowd to a central spot below the balcony, generating another huge roar from the crowd.

The Pontifical Swiss Guard is the official security force of the Vatican, and holds a ceremonial and a protective function.

And now more marching bands are celebrating the election of a new pope in a parade that includes large groups in military dress uniforms.

Crowds are murmuring excitedly with all eyes looking towards the balcony that looks over St Peter's Square.

The next pontiff is set to appear within the next 20 minutes and we will then learn who is the next leader of the Catholic Church.

Follow along for the exact moment he is revealed.

Now that the white smoke has been seen, the next pope will shortly appear on the balcony overlooking St Peter's Square where thousands of people have already gathered.

Military gurads have begun marching through the square and playing music.

Crowds will now wait to see who steps out on the balcony as the new leader of the Catholic Church.

As we saw yesterday, black smoke is sent up when the 133 cardinals could not agree on a new pope.

The win the vote, a cardinal will need the support of two thirds of the conclave.

Having the white smoke sent up means that the winner secured at least 89 votes of the 133 cardinals participating in the conclave to elect a successor to Pope Francis.

The name will be announced later, when a top cardinal utters the words "Habemus Papam!" - Latin for "We have a pope!" - from the loggia of the basilica.

The cardinal then reads the winner's birth name in Latin and reveals the name he has chosen to be called.

The new pope is then expected to make his first public appearance and impart a blessing from the same loggia.

By Nick Pisa in the Vatican

The signal was so bound at the Vatican due to jamming of antennas that the first many knew of the white smoke was when the bels of St Peter's rang out.

Chants of 'Abbiamo Papa, ole, ole,ole' and 'Viva il Papa' could be heard from the thousands that had rushed towards the square and the flags of dozens of countries were being waved in front of stunningly sunlit St Peter's Basilica.

The smoke had begun billowing from the chimney just after 6pm sending pilgrims into an explosion of joy.

French Cardinal Dominque Mamberti will to announce the identity of the new Pope in the next few minutes.

The new Pontiff will be taken from the Sistine Chapel to the Stanza delle Lacrime (Room of Tears)  to dress in his new white robes before passing back to acknowledge colleagues and then onto the balcony to greet and bless pilgrims.

Now that a new pope has been chosen, the next steps will all happen pretty quickly.

Within the hour, the next pontiff will appear on the balcony overlooking St Peter's Square where thousands of people have already gathered.

He will then be led to a small room by the Sistine Chapel to don his white papal robes.

The senior cardinal will confirm the vote by saying 'Habemus Papam' - Latin for 'we have a Pope'.

The new pontiff will then be introdcued by his chosen papal name.

By Nick Pisa in the Vatican

Wild cheers rang out and Union Jack could be seen being waved as thousands rushed towards St Peter’s square to see who the new pope would be.

Bells rang out and some people could be seen crossing themselves in silent prayer at the result which cane after the fourth vote and had been quietly expected.

Officials estimated that a crowd of more than 50,000 had gathered in anticipation but as the news spread hundreds more flocked up Via della Conciliazione towards St Peter’s.

White smoke has been seen from from the Sistine Chapel's chimney which means that a new pope has been elected

by Nick Pisa in the Vatican

Intriguingly one Italian newspaper is reporting that votes for American cardinal Robert Francis Prevost (pictured) picked up after a '$14 million donation from US president Donald Trump'.

Quotidiano Nazionale said the cash had been towards 'costs for Pope Francis funeral' and had been gratefully received by the Vatican which has a deficit of 70 million Euros.

Traditionally America is a big supporter of the Vatican as a large number of Americans are Catholics and millions cross the Atlantic every year to visit St Peter's on a pilgrimage.

The US president attended the funeral of Pope Francis last month with wife Melania and he was also spotted in deep head to head talks with Ukraine leader Volodymyr Zelensky.

No-one was immediately available from either side to confirm the report.

Here are the latest pictures from St Peter's Square as crowds wait to see if a new pope will be elected this afternoon with cardinals voting in the Sistine Chapel.

by Nick Pisa in the Vatican

The position may be vacant for the time being but when the new pope starts what will be at the top of his to do list?

Uppermost undoubtedly will be peace in the world’s trouble spots particularly Ukraine and the Middle East and the new Pope will be keen to pick up where Francis left.

He had sent emissaries to Kiev and Moscow and he was also using the Latin patriarch in Jerusalem, Pierbattista Pizzaballa – one of the favourites to be Pope – to find a solution in the Middle East.

They will also have to deal with doctrinal issues including the role of women in the Church and marginalised groups such as migrants, poor and the LGBT community.

He will also have to take a look at Vatican finances after they took a bashing during a bungled London property deal which saw one cardinal convicted of fraud.

And he will have to tackle the problem of historic abuse within the church by clergy.

Voting in a papal conclave follows a strict choreography, dictated by church law.

Each cardinal writes his choice on a piece of paper inscribed with the words 'Eligo in summen pontificem' - 'I elect as supreme pontiff.'

They approach the altar one by one and say: 'I call as my witness, Christ the Lord who will be my judge, that my vote is given to the one who, before God, I think should be elected.'

The folded ballot is placed on a round plate and tipped into a silver and gold urn. Once cast, the ballots are opened one by one by three different 'scrutineers,' cardinals selected at random who write down the names and read them aloud.

The scrutineers, whose work is checked by other cardinals called revisers, then add up the results of each round of balloting and write them on a separate sheet of paper, which is preserved in the papal archives.

As the scrutineer reads out each name, he pierces each ballot with a needle through the word 'Eligo'.

All the ballots are then bound together with thread, and the bundle is put aside and burned in the chapel stove along with a chemical to produce the smoke.

White smoke appeared to billow from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel this afternoon - despite cardinals failing to reach a verdict on the next pontiff.

Footage from the Vatican live feed of the conclave showed white smoke, which is meant to signal that a new pope has been elected.

Shortly before, however, black smoke was seen, confirming that no cardinal has won a two-thirds majority of their colleagues so far.

Read more here:

Crowds could face a long wait this afternoon in St Peter's Square

If no pope emerges in the two votes to come this afternoon, the conclave will continue Friday - and for as long as it takes to find consensus.

In 2005, Pope Benedict XVI was elected in four ballots over two days and Pope Francis in 2013 in five ballots over two days.

'I don't want it rushed - whatever they need to do to make the right decision,' said Barbara Mason, 50, who travelled from Canada for the conclave.

A central question is whether cardinals will choose someone in the image of Francis - who defended the poor, migrants and marginalised around the globe - or someone more focused on defending Church doctrine.

The charismatic Argentine reformer died on April 21, aged 88.

'I'd like someone moderately conservative,' one French pilgrim in the crowd who gave his name as Augustin told AFP.

'The church needs unity and strong values,' said the 24-year-old, who arrived at the Vatican after travelling on foot from a Tuscan monastery.

by Nick Pisa in the Vatican

Police in Rome have arrested three people after a banner was displayed in St Peter's Square praising an Islamic figure known as the Mahdi.

According to Islamic teaching, Mahdi, which translates as ‘the guided’, appears at the end of time to judge the ‘good and the bad’ and establish justice and peace.

The banner read in English: ‘No need for cardinals to vote, God has already chosen the new Pope. The Mahdi has appeared.’

The banner showed a bearded man cloaked in black and also had a QR code on it.

A passing patrol seized the banner and arrested a 41-year-old Spaniard and two Swiss nationals aged 30 and 41 who were accused of unauthorised demonstration and interruption of religious function.

Cardinals are returning to the Sistine Chapel to vote for a new pope this afternoon after failing to elect a pontiff in the morning session of conclave.

Black smoke poured from the chapel chimney for the second time earlier today when cardinals held the second and third rounds of voting to choose a successor to Pope Francis .

Thousands of people have returned to St Peter's Square on the second day of conclave hoping to witness the moment white smoke is released into the skies to signal a new leader has been chosen.

Cardinals will hold a fourth round of voting and possibly a fifth if no consensus is reached.

by Nick Pisa in the Vatican

Cardinals have been taking lunch before voting resumes in the Sistine Chapel.

The exact dishes are not known but one item off the menu is asparagus because of its diuretic effects - facilities in the chapel are limited so the green delicacy is not served.

The fear is getting up to go to the lone bathroom may lead to some cardinals inadvertently talking to outsiders which expressly forbidden - plus asparagus also gives off a pungent odour when urinated.

Also not on offer is ravioli for fear messages could be hidden inside the traditional stuffed Italian pasta dish - as was once discovered in a conclave during the 16th Century.

Chicken is also not served as in a 6th Century a cardinal choked on a tiny bone.

Food at the Casa Santa Marta, a guesthouse in the Vatican where the cardinals will be staying during the conclave, has previously been described as that 'you could eat at a train station'.

Cardinal Mauro Piacenza, a conclave veteran from the Italian city of Genoa, explained he meant lunch was 'not exciting' such as pastas with 'watery sauce', simple cutlets and salads.

Cardinals will return to the Sistine Chapel to resume voting this afternoon after breaking for lunch.

Two votes could be held today in the session running until 6pm UK time.

If the first vote is successful, we could see white smoke at around 4.30pm also UK time.

If no pope is elected then crowds will wait to see if the smoke is black or white after the second, which would be the fifth overall.

A new pope requires a two-thirds majority - which translates to 89 votes.

Of the 133 cardinals voting in the conclave, 108 were appointed by Pope Francis, who died last month at the age of 88.

The electors could feel loyalty to continue his legacy - even though the late pontiff didn't choose cardinals based on ideology, but rather for their pastoral priorities and geographical diversity.

Beyond that, the cardinals will consider practical matters, like age. Piking a relatively young man - say in his 60s - could result in a papacy of 20 years or longer.

Also, choosing a pope from where the church is growing - Asia or Africa - could bring more upheaval to the Vatican's Italian-heavy bureaucracy that is still smarting from the Argentine pope's go-it-alone style.

As crowds gather in the Vatican today thousands are hopeful of catching the moment white smoke billows from the Sistine Chapel and a new pope is elected.

Today, large school groups, worshippers participating in pre-planned Holy Year pilgrimages and journalists from around the world have descended on St Peter's Square.

Priscilla Parlante, from Rome, said: 'The wait is marvellous!'

Pedro Deget, 22, a finance student from Argentina, added: 'We are hoping for the white smoke tonight'.

by Nick Pisa in the Vatican

In the village of Castel Litteggio near Bergamo, the family of Pierbattista Piazzaballa, one of the favourites for Pope, are following proceedings from their home along with 100 locals.

Cardinal Pizzaballa, 60, whose surname means Pizza Dance in Italian, is the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem and in the top three contenders with odds of 4-1.

His mum Maria Maddalena Tadini and brother Fiorenzo Pizzaballa (pictured abobe) posed in front of a picture of him at the family home.

Maria told local media:

We are very emotional. I have a feeling that the decisive smoke will be tomorrow (friday). The ways of the Lord are infinite. In the Holy Land he always did his duty and even if he returns there, we will still be proud for what he is done and what he is doing.

Cardinal Pizzaballa's cousin Pierluigi Pizzaballa, 85, was a famous goalkeeper in the 1960's playing for Atalanta, Roma, Verona and AC Milan.

He made more than 300 club appearances winning the Italian Cup four times and a UEFA Cup in 1973 when Milan beat Leeds 1-0.

Pierluigi is also legendary because his Panini football card is extremely difficult to obtain.

Speaking of his cousin he said:

Naturally I would be delighted if he became Pope because of his good work in Jerusalem and his search for peace. As a believer I am praying for a Pope Pizzaballa.

by Nick Pisa in the Vatican

Vatican experts are suggesting Pietro Parolin (pictured) may not have enough support to be the next pope if the election is not decided in the next rounds of voting.

Parolin is the bookies favourite to succeed Pope Francis and is seen as a continuity candidate having served as his secretary of state, effectively his deputy.

Gian Guido Vecchi, a Vatican journalist from Corriere Della Sera, said:

If there is no white smoke by tonight or at the latest Friday morning it means the favourite Pietro Parolin has failed to secure the votes he needs.

It would be a classic example of the famous Rome saying 'Who enters a conclave as Pope leaves as a cardinal' and if it goes into Friday I think that's when we may get a surprise.

Vecchi said a surprise candidate may emerge like Francis himself if the election continues past Friday.

A guitar-playing, karaoke-loving cardinal is in the mix to become the next leader of the Catholic Church.

Filipino bishop Luis Antonio Tagle, aka 'Asian Francis,' is one of the favorites bidding to win the conclave vote.

But, despite being a top contender, the 67-year-old has been embroiled in a recent scandal that threatens to tarnish his reputation.

Read the full story by Olivia Allhusen here:

by Nick Pisa in the Vatican

Once the Pope is chosen, he will be dressed in his new white papal vestments in the Stanza Delle Lacrime (Room of Tears) so called because newly elected Popes burst into tears when they realise the enormity of the job they have taken on.

A cardinal will come on to the balcony and announce the ‘Habemus Papam’ (We have a Pope)

He will say:

I bring you news of great joy: we have the Pope! The most eminent and reverend lord, (name of the elected) cardinal (surname of the elected) of the Holy Roman Church, who has given himself the name of (papal name and if needed number)

The wording comes from Luke’s Gospel which tells the story of how an angel announced the birth of Christ to shepherds.

The passage reads: 'Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people: to you has been born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.'

The crowd for the lunchtime smoke was much smaller than Wednesday with officials saying it numbered around 11,000.

And once again the seagulls were taking centre stage with cheers and applause every time one landed on the Sistine Chapel's chimney stack or roof.

Yesterday, crowds of around 45,000 packed the Vatican in the evening to see the result of the first round of voting.

by Nick Pisa in the Vatican

Non-voting American cardinal Sean Patrick O'Malley has hit out at comparisons with Oscar winning Ralph Fiennes blockbuster Conclave and the current election process for a successor to the late Pope Francis.

In an interview with Corriere Della Sera he said:

This is a conclave, it's not Hollywood, it's about important unity within the church. It's a very spiritual experience.

When asked what the differences between the film and the real Conclave were he said:

In reality these are days of spirital exercise. There is an intense atmosphere of prayer, examinations of conscience and mediation. As time passes there is a growing realisation the responsibilities the cardinals have in front of God, the Church and the world.

He added:

Our world is suffering from a lack of authentic leaders. The divisions are so deep and wars so numerous that we have more need than ever of a prophetic voice from the Church and Pope.

Speaking just hours before the Conclave cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster and leader of the Catholics of England and Wales recorded a video interview which has been posted online.

He said:

I think the decision which I have to be a part in is intimidating because it has such widespread consequences. People across the world are looking at us at the moment and wondering how the next Pope will contribute to world affairs, well-being of children, the well-being of the poorest so it is intimidating.

There are a whole number of candidates with some of the gifts I’m not sure there is one with all the gifts the next pope would have, so I am a bit more calm but it’s still an intimidating decision.

He said the new pope has to be 'consistent and decisive' in the role and ensure he doesn't 'break any bonds' of communion with the church.

Speaking about how long the vote could take, he desciribed the process as 'very slow', adding:

Each cardinal has to make a promise that before God and in his conscience, this is the name of person he thinks can be the next pope, and doing that 133 time is not going to be quick. So while I wait I will be full of wonder at the beauty of Michelangelo’s art but also prompting an openness to God and a thankfulness for the faith we have.

A senior Vatican cardinal has said he hopes to see white smoke when he returns to his home in Rome later today.

Giovanni Battista Re (pictured), the dean of the College of Cardinals, expressed hope that a new pope would be elected within hours, according to reports in major Italian newspapers.

'I hope that when I return to Rome this evening, I'll find the white smoke already rising,' he said, speaking from the city of Pompei on Thursday.

Re is 91 years old, which makes him too old to participate in the conclave of 133 cardinals who are electing the next pope and who all have to be under 80.

However, he has been prominent and delivered a Mass on Wednesday before the cardinals began their conclave.

As the Mass ended he was caught on a hot mic saying to Cardinal Pietro Parolin, viewed as a favorite for the papacy: 'auguri doppi' ('double best wishes').

Being tasked with helping to choose a new pope is one of the biggest decisions the 133 cardinals in the midst of the conclave will make in their lifetimes - so a good night's sleep and a decent breakfast is highly important.

The vast majority of the cardinals currently taking place in the centuries-old ritual, which will at some point see a puff of white smoke leak from the chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel, are staying in the same Vatican City guesthouse.

The Domus Sanctae Marthae is a 129-room 'hotel' inside the walls of Vatican City that has traditionally been used by the papacy to host visitors.

Its thick-of-the-action location - right next to St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City - ensures the cardinals' commute from their suites to the Sistine Chapel is mercifully brief.

Read the full story by MailOnline reporter Jo Tweedy here:

Here's the moment crowds in the Vatican and Catholics across the world were waiting for this morning.

At around 11:50am local time (10:50am UK time), black smoke began pouring from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel.

It means the wait for a new pope continues.

With no one securing the necessary two-thirds majority, or 89 votes, the 133 cardinals will return to the Vatican residences where they are being sequestered.

They will have lunch and then return to the Sistine Chapel for the afternoon voting session.

Watch our footage here:

Crowds watched the moment black smoke billowed on the big screen

by Nick Pisa in the Vatican

As the smoke went up just before noon local time there was an audible groan from the crowd that had gathered to watch proceedings.

One onlooker said:' Oh well, back again this evening.'

While it is possible there could be smoke mid afternoon after the fourth vote, it is more likely to be after the fifth at around 7pm.

The cardinals will now retreat to the Santa Marta residence to prepare for votes four and five this afternoon.

While in the Santa Marta, the 133 cardinal electors are allowed to talk amongst themselves but they are not allowed to have any outside interference.

The only contact they can have with 'outside persons' are the nuns who were at Santa Marta and prepare their meals, cleaning staff and medics.

This is the moment crowds assembled in the Vatican learned their wait for a new pope will continue as black smoke poured from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel.

It means cardinals have been unsuccessful in attempts to elect a new leader of the Catholic church following two rounds of voting this morning.

All eyes will return to the chimney this afternoon following more votes after cardinals break for lunch.

Black smoke is billowing from the Sistine Chapel meaning the wait for a new pope continues.

It comes after cardinals returned to the chapel this morning for the second round of voting on day two of conclave.

Further votes are now expected this afternoon.

by Nick Pisa in the Vatican

As the wait continues to see if a new pope has been elected, it appears Italian media is focusing its coverage on a seagull.

The bird perched itself on the chimney stack above the Sistine Chapel just before sunset.

Silhouetted against the brilliant blue sky, and visible on several screens around sat Peter's Square, the bird raised cheers and applause as it stayed there for several minutes surveying the scene before flying off.

Corriere Della Sera wrote in its coverage:

The seagull, patiently waiting, sat on the roof of the Sistine Chapel, indifferent to the cameras of the world pointing at it. Calmly looking around, it knew it wasn't the right time. Seven thirty, eight, eight thirty in the evening, and then it flew off.

Eventually from the chimney at 9pm black smoke emerged and the 50,000 crowd in St Peter's let out a grumble of disappointment.

by Nick Pisa in the Vatican

Crowds are beginning to gather in St Peter's Square ahead of the next smoke signal which is expected at around 1pm local time (12pm UK time) - although there was a possibility of it being slightly earlier if the first morning vote resulted in a winner.

But this is unlikely with a winner more likely this afternoon or tomorrow morning.

In the long history of the Catholic Church and papal conclaves only two Popes have been elected in the month of May.

The first was in 1342 when for a time the Catholic Church was based in the southern French city of Avignon, when after two days cardinal Pierre Roger was elected and he took the name Clement VI.

He reigned for ten years and the next May elected Pope was more than 150 years later when the seat was back in Rome and the Conclave opened on May 8 1605 - 420 years ago to the day.

That time there was 27 rounds of voting and the winner was cardinal Camillo Borghese who became Paul V and he was in office for 16 years.

He played a key part in the building of St Peter's Basilica and was also pope at the time of he Gunpowder plot - the attempt by English Catholics to assassinate King James I.

The last time white smoke blew out from the Sistine Chapel chimney was in 2013 when Jorge Jorge Mario Bergoglio, known now as Pope Francis, was elected to the papacy.

The first Latin American pope in the Vatican, his election was a truly significant moment which could be repeated today.

Let's take a look at the moment his election was confirmed.

by Nick Pisa in the Vatican

In the last few Conclaves three Popes have been elected on the second day of voting.

In 1978 Pope John Paul I was voted in but there was confusion as the smoke was grey and yellow thanks to a combination of wet straw being used with ballot papers.

He was elected after four votes but died just 33 days later.

In 2005 on the second day of voting Pope Benedict XVI (pictured), from Germany was nominated, again after four rounds of voting and in 2013 the late Pope Francis emerged as winner after five rounds.

Bets placed on who will become the next pope have overtaken all individual markets amid growing interest in conclave, according to Oddschecker.

Some cardinals including Pietro Parolin and Pierbattista Pizzaballa are being backed heavily by punters in the election to succeed Pope Francis in the Vatican.

Sam Eaton, UK Country Manager at Oddschecker, said:

We expect to see continued market movement with each appearance of black smoke. Bettors are clearly open to backing outsiders—just as they were in 2013 when Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected as Pope Francis despite being a 50/1 outsider.

The Next Pope market has now overtaken every other individual betting market this week in terms of volume. Interest has surged across the globe, particularly in countries like the UK, USA, Ireland, Sweden, Hungary, the Netherlands and Italy.

According to Google Trends, the level of engagement with the 2025 Next Pope betting market is now outpacing even the Grand National, which is watched by an estimated 800 million people worldwide. The scale of interest has been truly remarkable.

Latest odds here:

• Pietro Parolin - 2/1
• Luis Antonio Tagle - 3/1
• Pierbattista Pizzaballa - 5/1
• Matteo Zuppi - 6/1
• Peter Erdo - 10/1

Source: William Hill

Viewers of Sky News last night praised a composed Italian-American Catholic priest as he appeared on screen to discuss the papal election taking place behind the doors of the Sistine Chapel.

Some admitted Priest Robert Sirico looked oddly-familiar but others, who were fans of his much-loved brother, quickly spotted who he was as he predicted the Conclave could be up to five days due to the number in the conclave and the lack of 'familiarity' with the candidates.

Both men have the same nose and chin, but unlike his late older brother, Rev. Sirico does not have so-called 'angel wings' in his hair.

Read here to find out who it was:

There will be two rounds of voting this morning at around 9.30am and 11.30am UK time and then if no result is declared, a further two this afternoon at around 3.30pm and 5.30pm, also BST - one hour behind local time in the Vatican.

It means crowds could see smoke blowing twice from the Sistine Chapel at around midday and then 6pm.

That's because there's only white smoke if a new pope is chosen on the first votes in the morning and afternoon - if both are unsuccessful, there will just be two lots of black smoke at the end of the morning and evening sessions.

Some of the 133 voting cardinals had said they expected a short conclave to replace Pope Francis.

But it will likely take a few rounds of voting for one man to secure the two-thirds majority, or 89 ballots, necessary to become the 267th pope.

For much of the past century, the conclave has needed between three and 14 ballots to find a pope.

John Paul I - the pope who reigned for 33 days in 1978 - was elected on the fourth ballot. His successor, John Paul II, needed eight. Francis was elected on the fifth in 2013.

Meanwhile , a papal historian has said she expects white smoke in the Vatican skies on Saturday.

Rebecca Rist told the BBC:

I think the church at the moment realises that they need to bring people together, that they don’t want the church to look split. So I suspect we’ll have the decision by Saturday.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin had the support of locals in his hometown of Schiavon, in the Veneto region, amid hopes he can succeed Pope Francis after serving as his number two.

Caffè Centrale, on the main drag of Schiavon, filled up with locals and journalists awaiting the first sign of smoke on Wednesday.

A large TV screen displayed images from St. Peter's Square and the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel, where 133 cardinals were casting the first votes for pope, as locals in the Veneto town of Schiavon, near Vicenza, quaffed glasses of wine.

'We're waiting, and we're rooting for him,' said Giacomo Bonora, raising a glass of the local favorite, a red wine spritz, and using the local nickname for Parolin, 'Don Piero.'

Bonora said that when Parolin returns to the town of 2,600, he asks to be called 'Don Piero,' the way a parish priest would be addressed rather than 'eminence,' a cardinal's honorific. Piero is the Veneto dialect for Pietro.

Parolin, 70, is a veteran diplomat who was Francis' secretary of state, essentially the Holy See's prime minister and No. 2 to the pope.

Pictures from the Vatican show St Peter's Square receiving a last minute clean up as crowds return this morning for the second day of conclave.

Around 45,000 people gathered in the Vatican last night to see the results of the first round of voting with more rounds to be held today.

We understand two rounds will take place this morning with a further two this afternoon.

To become pope, a cardinal needs a two-thirds majority, or 89 votes.

by Nick Pisa in the Vatican

Cardinals will resume their conclave deliberations today after a first round of voting provided black smoke and therefore no pope.

The result was not a surprise although there were large groans from the 45,000 crowd that had gathered in St Peter's square on Wednesday night to wait for the smoke signal from the Sistine Chapel.

Vatican sources had said smoke would appear a at around 7pm but instead it was a good two hours later than anticipated prompting some in the crowd to break out into sporadic slow hand clapping to stave off boredom.

There were also loud cheers as occasionally seagulls would perch on the chimney stack or on the roof close by as the scene was relayed on four giant screens dotted around the square.

Although no set time was given the fact the smoke did not waft over the Vatican until so late has prompted much speculation as to the reason.

One theory is that former Vatican household priest Raniero Cantalamessa, 90, overshot his sermon to the cardinals in the Sistine Chapel by 45 minutes.

Other suggestions were the increased number of cardinals - 18 more than the last conclave in 2013 that elected Pope Francis, plus language barriers and for many it was their first papal election.

There will be two rounds of voting this morning and a further two this afternoon with smoke expected at around 1pm and 7pm local time - black again means no Pope while white means a winner.

The first two or three rounds of voting are always seen as a 'jockeying' for position, and it is not until later rounds that a winner comes forward and there is some speculation a new pope could come after the fifth or sixth vote meaning possibly tonight.

The conclave to elect a successor to Pope Francis began in the Vatican yesterday as 133 cardinals locked themselves away from the outside world to decide the new leader of the Catholic Church.

Here's a quick recap of what happened:

• Cardinals started the day by attending a special mass in St Peter's Basilica where senior cardinal Giovanni Battista Re urged those voting to set aside 'every personal consideration' when selecting a new leader
• At around 3.30pm UK time, 133 cardinals eligible to vote in this year's conclave filed into the Sistine Chapel to begin the election but not before taking a collective and individual oath of secrecy.
• Thousands of worshippers packed into St Peter's Square to watch the action unfold on giant screens including the moment the doors to the Sistine Chapel were closed at around 4.47pm.
• Crowds of around 45,000 people gathered in front of the Vatican to await the outcome of the first round of voting and eventually saw black smoke billowing from the chimney at around 8pm.
• At around 9.40pm, the Vatican released a statement explaining the delay in releasing the smoke which was blamed on translation issues.

Hello and welcome to our live coverage which we are resuming this morning as conclave enters its second day.

Yesterday, cardinals held their first vote for a new pope with tens of thousands packed in St Peter's Square hoping to witness the historic election moment.

However, black smoke billowed from the chimney above the Sistine Chapel meaning we return today for more voting.

Will we see white smoke in the skies above the Vatican today? Only time will tell.

Join us as for the latest conclave updates throughout the day with Nick Pisa, our man on the ground in the Vatican, and Jamie Bullen reporting from London.

Of the 252 living cardinals, 138 are under 80 and therefore eligible to vote in the conclave.

16 are based in North America, 54 in Europe, 24 in Asia, 4 in Central America, 18 in South America and 4 in Oceania.

The cardinal electors have all taken an oath promising that, if elected, they will conduct the role faithfully and vow to secrecy.

While Pope Francis followed a life of few luxuries - it seemed food was not one of them.

One cardinal explained that the meals on offer at the Casa Santa Marta was like 'food you could eat at a train station'.

Cardinal Mauro Piacenza might have unfair stadards, seeing as he is the conclave veteran from Genoa, a city famous for its pesto.

He will have to put up with the 'watery sauce', salads and simple cutlets on offer.

'Not exciting' is his verdict.

Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi of Italy has said 'you don't eat very well' and Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Müller of Germany agreed that 'it's not so good'.

Resolutely, Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu of Congo said 'we will eat whatever they give us'.

• 3.30pm - The 133 cardinals filed into the Sistine Chapel to begin the conclave. They then placed their birettas on the table and took a collective and individual oath of secrecy
• 4.43pm - Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad, who was the last to enter, took his oath
• 4.47pm - The Sistine Chapel finally closed its doors as the voting began
• 6pm - Crowds had gathered in St Peter's Square expecting to see smoke from the chimney to indicate whether a new pope had been elected
• 8pm - After hours of delay, black smoke was finally seen billowing from the Sistine Chapel indicating that the conclave had not yet chosen a pope
• 9.40pm - The Vatican explained the delay in the smoke reveal, blaming translation issues and the serom taking longer than expected

Sexual abuse survivors have called on the next pope to resolve the decades-long crisis in the Catholic Church.

Groups on behalf of victims have demanded a zero-tolerance policy on offenders and those who covered up for them as well as for church leaders to admit to their own mishandling of the scandal.

'We want to work with the next pope to put an end to clerical abuse,' Peter Isely said, a member of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests.

The group launched a website in March which showed each cardinal's record of handling credible allegations against priests under their watch.

Only a few have a clean record, the group said.

SNAP are one of several survivors groups to have made it to Rome since Pope Francis's death in the hopes their presence will put pressure on the next pontiff.

Matteo Bruni, the Vatican spokesman, said the cardinals believed it was a 'wound to be kept open' so awareness remained and was a topic discussed before the conclave began.

Even if a cardinal falls ill during the conclave, they still have to vote.

Three cardinals are randomly selected to be tasked with leaving the chapel to attend to any unwell cardinals.

These 'Infirmarii' will collect the sick cardinals' in a very elaborate proccess so that there is no suggestion of foul play.

The Infirmarii will have to show an empty ballot box to the other electors when entering the Casa Santa Marta before it is locked, with the key placed on the altar.

The ballot box is then taken to the infirm cardinal alongside pieces of paper for casting their votes.

If the cardinal is too sick to write, an Infirmarii will write it out for him after takng an oath of secrecy.

The box is returned to the Sistine Chapel and read out by the Scrutineers, who will count all the votes.

The 133 cardinals who are in Rome for the conclave will sleep at the Casa Santa Marta (also known as the Domus Sanctae Marthae) for the duration of their stay.

The building is adjacent to St Peter's Basilica and runs as a guesthouse for clergy and becomes the temporary residence for the College of Cardinals during the papal conclave.

This is also where Pope Francis lived from his election to his death instead of the papal apartments in the Apostolic Palace, as is tradition.

Following the death of a Pope, a precise sequence of events takes place within the Vatican.

Firstly, Francis's coffin was transferred to St. Peter's Basilica in preparation for a funeral.

The funeral must then take place four to six days after the death of a pope - Francis was laid to rest five days after he died.

After the service, there are nine days of official mourning, known as the 'novendiali'.

During this period, cardinals arrive in Rome to participate in a conclave to elect the next Pope.

To give everyone time to assemble, the conclave must begin 15-20 days after the 'sede vacante' - a Latin term meaning the seat is vacant - is declared, although it can start sooner if the cardinals agree.

The cardinals vote in secret sessions, and the ballots will be burned in a special stove after each session.

Black smoke will indicate that no Pope has been elected, while white smoke will indicate that the cardinals have chosen the next head of the Catholic Church.

While the world patiently waited to see whether there was black or white smoke billowing from the Sistine Chapel's chimney, elsewhere in Rome there was pink smoke being let off.

Flares were set off by the Women's Ordination Conference calling for women's equality in the Catholic church and in protest at the male-only conclave.

'While the world may be waiting for white or black smoke, our pink smoke is a signal that women should be included in every aspect of the life of the Church,' said Kate McElwee, executive director of Women’s Ordination Conference.

'A woman’s place is in the conclave,' she added.

'We are saying to the cardinals, you cannot keep ignoring 50 per cent of the Catholic population, you cannot go into a locked room and discuss the future of the Church without half of the Church,' Miriam Duignan said, of the Wijngaards Institute in Cambrudge.

A list of possible female candidates were also brought along - including former Irish President Mary McAleese.

The group have previously been arrested for setting off their flares too close to St Peter's Square so instead opted to hold their protest on a hill overlooking the Vatican.

Once a candidate receives the necessary votes and accepts, he chooses a papal name and enters the 'Room of Tears' - named for the emotional weight of the responsibility ahead - to don his papal vestments.

Minutes later, he is introduced to the world from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica with the proclamation in Latin: 'Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum: Habemus Papam!' ('I bring you tidings of great joy: We have a pope!')

That will be immediately followed by the revelation of his baptismal name, in Latin, followed by the papal name he has chosen.

Vatican sources have confirmed to two members of Sky News' team on the ground the two main reasons behind the delay in the vote today.

1. The serom by Italian cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa, ended up being longer than anticipated (lasting between 45 minutes and an hour).
2. Several cardinals required assistance with the translation, given that many do not speak any Italian or Latin and had only recently entered the role.

The voting follows a strict choreography, dictated by church law.

Each cardinal writes his choice on a paper inscribed with the words 'Eligo in summen pontificem,' or 'I elect as Supreme Pontiff.' They approach the altar one by one and say: 'I call as my witness, Christ the Lord who will be my judge, that my vote is given to the one who, before God, I think should be elected.'

The folded ballot is placed on a round plate and slid into an oval silver and gold urn. Once cast, the ballots are opened one by one by three different 'scrutineers'. who note the names down and read them aloud. Cardinals can keep their own tally on a sheet of paper provided but must turn their notes in to be burned at the end of voting.

The scrutineers then add up the results of each round of balloting and write the results down on a separate sheet of paper which is preserved in the papal archives.

As the scrutineer reads out each name, he pierces each ballot with a needle through the word 'Eligo' and binds the ballots with thread and ties a knot. The ballots are then put aside and burned in the chapel stove along with a chemical to produce either black or white smoke, to signal a winner has been found.

We're waiting, and we're rooting for him (Pietro Parolin).

I feel like he will be Italian since it hasn't been like that since 1978. It will be God's choice.

I'm here today, to support him (Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle), even though my prayers will be with whoever is elected.

As the first day of the conclave comes to a close, this is a recap of what will have taken place earlier today inside the walls of the Sistine Chapel:

The cardinals electing the next pope began processing into the Sistine Chapel earlier this afternoon to open the conclave.

As they processed into the chapel adorned with Michelangelo's "The Last Judgement," the 133 cardinals chanted the meditative "Litany of the Saints." A line of Swiss Guards stood at attention.

The hymn implores the saints to help the cardinals find a new leader of the 1.4 billion-strong Catholic Church.

Once inside, the cardinals walked while chanting the meditative 'Litany of the Saints' and the Latin hymn 'Veni Creator', imploring the saints and the Holy Spirit to help them pick a pope.

Then, once there, they pledge to maintain secrecy about what's about to transpire and to not allow any interference from outsiders to influence their voting.

Standing before Michelangelo's vision of heaven and hell in 'The Last Judgment,' each cardinal places his hand on the Gospel and swears to carry out that duty. The awesomeness of the chapel's frescoes, and Michelangelo's in particular, is meant to remind the cardinals of the weighty responsibility they bear.

After the cardinals took their oaths, a senior cardinal deliver a meditation. The master of papal liturgical ceremonies, Archbishop Diego Ravelli, calls out 'Extra omnes,' Latin for 'all out'. Anyone not eligible to vote will then leave and the chapel closed, allowing the work to begin.

There has also been some suggestion the delay could have been caused by the increased number of cardinals - 18 more than 2013, plus the fact many barely speak Italian.

Also, for many it was their first conclave, and they were not used to the proceedings.

While the cardinals are supposed to resist any 'secular' influences in their choice, such lobbying abounded in Rome in the days before the conclave as various groups reminded cardinals of what ordinary Catholics want in a leader.

Young Catholics penned an open letter reminding cardinals that there is no church without young people, women and the laity.

Conservative Catholic media slipped cardinals copies of a glossy book containing their assessments of contenders.

Survivors of clergy sexual abuse warned cardinals that they would be held accountable if they failed to find a leader who will crack down on decades of abuse and cover-up.

Advocates for women's ordination sent pink smoke signals Wednesday over the Vatican to demand that women be allowed to be priests and participate in a conclave.

There was speculation that voting had been delayed because cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa, 90, the former preacher of the papal household for 44 years had given a lengthy sermon to the electors.

He gave a talk reminding them of ‘the very serious nature of their task and the necessity that they act with right intention, doing their best to carry out the will of God, and willing the good of the whole Church, to elect the next Roman pontiff’.

Black smoke sent from the Sistine Chapel means that the cardinals have failed to elect a new pope, with a two-thirds majority required.

This means that there will be two more rounds of voting tomorrow, and in the days going forward, until a decision is made.

Two rounds of voting will take place in the morning, followed by two in the afternoon with Vatican officials saying that smoke should be expected around 1.pm local time and again at 7.pm.

To be elected the winner has to have 89 cardinals behind him and as such the process can take a number of days – the last one to elect Pope Francis in 2013 took two days while the longest in the 13th century lasted almost three years.

Black smoke had been expected as the first round of ballots is seen as a ‘jockeying for position’ vote and it’s the later rounds where real contenders emerge and it finally wafted over the Vatican at just after 9pm.

Thousands had gathered in St Peter's Square and as the wait grew longer there was sporadic slow hand clapping from the impatient crowd as they wondered what had happened since the Sistine Chapel door shut at just after 5.45pm local time.

Groans went up from the crowd as the dark plume comes from burning of the ballot papers and chemicals are added to enhance the tone but once a Pope is chosen it will be white smoke from the chimney.

Pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday aged 88, was seen as a liberal leader of the world’s 1.2 billion Roman Catholics and many would like to see a similar successor.

Favourites currently include the Vatican’s Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, 70, and cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, 67, from the Philippines.

A crowd of around 45,000 had gathered in front of the Vatican and sporadically slow hand clapping broke out among them as the sun set over St Peter's with no word of any developments.

Just after 9pm the first puffs of black smoke - signifying no Pope had been chosen - wafted over the roof of the Sistine Chapel and a groan went up from those that were still their braving the evening chill.

It had been more than three hours since the doors of the Sistine Chapel had shut and many were wondering the delay meant a new Pope had been chosen but those hopes were dashed.

The process begins again on Thursday with two votes in the morning down two in the afternoon, with smoke expected at around 1pm and 8pm local time.

Black smoke has come from the chimney above the Sistine Chapel meaning that the cardinals have failed to reach a decision on the newly elected pope.

Given that they have been unable to meet the required two-thirds majority, voting for the new pope will now resume tomorrow.

133 cardinals, all under the cut off age of 80, voted, with a two-thirds majority required for the vote go to through.

Until a decision is reached, the cardinals will will be housed at a guesthouse, Casa Santa Marta, inside the Vatican's grounds.

When casting their vote, each cardinal will have done so on a card that says 'I elect as Supreme Pontiff' alongisde the name of thier chosen candidate.

With no limit on how long a conclave can last, up to four votes a day will now proceed to take to take place, two in the morning and two in the afternoon, until a decision is reached.

The longest conclave in history was almost three years, when Pope Gregory X was elected.

The shortest lasted just 10 hours and ended with the election of Pope Julius II in 1503.

In recent history the next leader of the Catholic Church is usually elected within two or three days.

Formally established in 1274 by Pope Gregory X, the conclave to elect the 267th pope will be the 76th conclave to have taken place in the form we recognise today.

The term 'conclave' derives from two Latin words: cum (with) and clavis (key).

The first official conclave took place in Arezzo, Tuscany, in 1276.

Pope Gregory XV introduced the necessary requirement for secret and written ballots in 1621.

However, after World War II, in 1945, Pope Pius XII introduced new rules under the Apostolic Constitution Vacantis Apostolicae Sedis.

Later, Pope St. Paul VI declared that only cardinals aged under 80 years old were able to vote.

While the first conclave to be held at Rome's Sistine Chapel was in 1492, up to 15 conclaves have taken place outside of the historic city, with the conclave of 1314-16 held in France.

The 133 cardinals began arriving in Rome on Monday in preparation of the conclave.

While the group normally resides in the Vatican's Santa Marta guesthouse, which has en-suite bathrooms and hotel-style service, there are not enough rooms for them all given the unprecedented large numbers.

The majority of cardinals have come from Europe, including 17 electors from Italy, five from Spain and five from France.

However, there are also 16 cardinal electors from North America, including 10 from the United States.

Francis named 108 of the 133 'princes of the church,' choosing many pastors in his image from far-flung countries like Mongolia, Sweden and Tonga that had never had a cardinal before.

His decision to surpass the usual limit of 120 cardinal electors and include younger ones from the 'global south' - those often marginalised countries with lower economic clout - has raised even more uncertainty about the result.

Crowds in St Peter's Square are still eagerly anticipating the result from the first round of voting amongst cardinals this evening.

Sunset in Rome is at around 7.15pm UK time, meaning that lights may soon need to be switched on in order to ensure that crowds can see the smoke signal emerge from the chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel.

While the result was anticipated to be announced around 6.pm UK time, the more than an hour-long delay could be due to there being a large number of new cardinals appointed by Francis during his 12-year pontificate.

This year's cardinals are the most diverse in history, with Francis creating 163 cardinals from nearly 80 countries and across five continents.

While the centuries-old conclave ritual may initially appear to be an exclusively male affair, women play a crucial role in ensuring that the process of choosing a new pope runs smoothly.

As the cardinals, the most geographically diverse conclave in the faith's 2,000-year history, prepare to sequester from the outside world, they will be supported throughout by Vatican City insiders, including a dedicated team of nuns who help with everything from accommodation to food.

From now until the moment a new leader is elected, the sisters at the Domus Sanctae Marthae, a 100-suite guesthouse in Vatican City that is currently housing the cardinals, will be running a tight ship regarding cooking and cleaning.

Dishes served to sustain them during the process will be prepared by the women, with local Italian dishes from the Lazio and Abruzzo regions likely to be on the menu.

Italian staples such as spaghetti, minestrone and simple meat dishes including lamb skewers, known as arrosticini, with vegetables will be prepared for the 133 men, although they won't be allowed napkins for fear of secrets being penned and squirrelled out.

The kind of meals eaten by the cardinals during the historic rituals were depicted on several occasions in the film adaptation of Robert Harris' book Conclave.

Isabella Rossellini played Sister Agnes in the 2024 film, which scooped best picture at this year's BAFTAs.

Speaking on Sky's The News Hour with Mark Austin this week, Mr Harris said that whoever Pope Francis' successor is, he's likely to face pressure to take a more inclusive approach to women.

He told the programme: 'In the 21st century, can it really be the case that Christ did not intend half the world's population to play a full role in spreading his word?'

There is no set time limit that a decision must be reached by the cardinals during the conclave, though it is expected that this conclave could be short in duration.

For much of the past century, it has taken between three and 14 ballots to find a pope. John Paul I - the pope who reigned for 33 days in 1978 - was elected on the fourth ballot.

His successor, John Paul II, needed eight. Francis was elected on the fifth in 2013 in a cardinal that lasted just two days.

In a sermon, Italian Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re told his peers they must set aside 'every personal consideration' in choosing the new pontiff and keep in mind 'only ... the good of the Church and of humanity'.

In recent days, cardinals have offered different views of what they are looking for in the next pope.

While some have called for continuity with Francis' vision of greater openness and reform, others have said they want to embrace historic traditions. Many have indicated they want a more predictable, measured pontificate.

Up to 80 per cent of the cardinal electors were appointed by Francis, which could increase the possibility that his successor will continue his progressive policies, despite pushback from traditionalists.

The result of the conclave will be announced via smoke signals that emerge from the Sistine Chapel chimney, where ballot papers are burned following each voting round.

Chemicals are burnt in a second stove that means the smoke can appear either black or white.

Black smoke means no decision has been reached, while white smoke means that a pope has been chosen.

The senior cardinal will then confirm the decision by uttering the words 'Habemus Papam' - Latin for 'we have a Pope'.

Then, the newly elected pope will be introduced by his chosen papal name.

He will be set to appear on the balcony overlooking St Peter's Square within an hour following his selection.

Up to 250,000 people are estimated to have gathered at St Peter's Square to witness the historic moment the result of Conclave deliberations is announced.

Those hoping to witness the election of the next pope from St. Peter's Square must first pass through security checks.

As the conclave began, lines were forming at metal detectors at the square's entrances. These lines are expected to grow as we get closer to 7pm local time.

Tourists, onlookers and members of the media are gathered at the square and Via della Conciliazione, the wide boulevard that leads from the Vatican to the Tiber River, to welcome the new pontiff.

This conclave is predicted to be more unpredictable than ever before, with a key question being whether the role could possibly be handed back to an Italian, the first since John Paul I nearly 50 years ago.

Three of the main contenders who could replace Pope Francis are as follows:

• Pietro Parolin, 70. Italian

Serving as the Vatican's secretary of state since 2013, Cardinal Parolin is a well-known figure in the Vatican and is widely considered the frontrunner for the position.

He was involved in the 2018 landmark deal that allowed both the government and church to jointly appoint bishops and has also previously condemend the legislation of same-sex marraige as a 'defeat for humanity'.

• Matteo Zuppi, 69. Italian

Currently the archbishop of Bologna, Cardinal Zuppi was known for having a close relationship with Pope Francis and having little emphasis on traditional protocol.

Francis even appointed him as the papal envoy for the Russia-Ukraine conflict, while he also wrote the introduction of a book that focused on the church's need to help improve its relationship with the LGBTQ+ community.

• Luis Tagle, 67. Filipino

If elected, Cardinal Tagle would be the first ever pope from Asia, having headed the Vatican's Caritas Internationalis from 2015 and 2022 before permanently relocating to Rome.

However, in 2022, Francis expeld the Caritas management following an external investigation that the Holy See said had uncovered 'real deficiencies' in management.

The Cardinals will not be allowed any communication with the outside world until the new pope is elected, with a two-thirds majority required.

This afternoon, there will be one round of voting. In the instance that a decision cannot be made, the cardinals will vote up to four times every day afterwards and will be housed at a guesthouse, Casa Santa Marta, inside the Vatican's grounds.

There will be two ballots in the morning and two in the afternoon every day until a new pope is elected.

The duration of the vote can vary, with the longest historical conclave lasting nearly three years between 1268 and 1271.

The first smoke signal, alerting us to the end of a voting round, is expected at around 7pm local time.

Black smoke signifies that no pope has been chosen, while white smoke means that a new pope has been successfully elected.

Cardinals from all over the world began voting Wednesday to elect a new pope - but what's the cost of finding a new leader for the Catholic Church?

The Holy See has not disclosed how much the conclave will weigh on its shaky finances. But arranging it is understood to be an expensive affair, running into the millions of euros.

More than 200 cardinals with assistants in tow have been flown in from across the globe, housed, fed and laundered for days following the death of Pope Francis on April 21.

On Wednesday afternoon some 133 of them - those aged under 80 - began voting for a new pope under Michelangelo's frescoes in the Sistine Chapel, which has been fitted out to hold the gathering.

So has St Peter's Square, where thousands of faithful and curious tourists are expected to watch for the white smoke that signals to the world the election of a new pope.

As per the 1929 deal that created the Vatican City State, Italy foots the bill for security costs.

During the last conclave in 2013, security, increased public transport and other related expenses came to 4.5 million euros (£3.8 million), according to then Rome mayor Gianni Alemanno.

This year, the hard-right government of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni made available an initial five million euros after Francis's death but total costs are yet to be quantified, said civil protection minister Nello Musumeci.

The conclave to elect a new pope has officially begun, with a Vatican official calling out 'extra omnes' and the door to the Sistine Chapel shutting.

The Latin expression means 'all out' and signals all those who aren't eligible to vote for a new pope to leave the Sistine Chapel.

The order, delivered Wednesday by Archbishop Diego Ravelli allows the beginning of voting to elect the 267th pope to follow Pope Francis, history's first Latin American pontiff.

The Vatican cameras have now departed from the Sistine Chapel.

by Nick Pisa in the Vatican

Among the 133 cardinals swearing the oath was the leader of the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales, Liverpool born Vincent Nichols.

He was joined by cardinal Timothy Radcliffe and cardinal Arthur Roche, who were some of the last to swear.

As the master of ceremonies shouted "Extra Omnes" (All out) a small ripple of applause broke out among the crowd that had gathered in front of St Peter's.

The Cardinals will now begin their deliberations with the first smoke signal expected at around 7pm local time.

Whoever is elected the new Pope will face a number of challenges in their papacy.

Above all the new leader will have to decide whether to continue and consolidate Francis' progressive legacy on promoting women, LGBTQ+ acceptance, the environment and migrants, or roll it back to try to unify a church that became more polarised during his pontificate.

Since Francis chose 80 per cent of the voters, continuity is likely but there have been calls for a Conservative cardinal to step in.

Here's our current top story on MailOnline

by Kumail Jaffer

Catholic cardinals have entered the Sistine Chapel where they will sequester themselves for the centuries-old ritual of conclave, a secretive vote to elect the 267th pontiff following the death of Pope Francis.

Hailing from 70 different countries, the geographically diverse group chanted the meditative 'Litany of the Saints' and the Latin hymn 'Veni Creator,' as they walked in, imploring the saints and the Holy Spirit to help them pick a pope.

A line of Swiss Guards stood at attention as the cardinals then took their turn to bow at the altar.

Once inside, they will pledge to maintain secrecy about what's about to transpire and to not allow any interference from outsiders to influence their voting.

Read more here:

Watch the moment more than 130 red-robed cardinals entered the Sistine Chapel for the papal conclave as they prepare to lock themselves away from the world.

The cardinals will vote for the first time to elect a new pope this afternoon in the highly secretive and ancient ritual.

Their mobile phones are surrendered and airwaves around the Vatican are jammed to prevent all communications until they find a new leader.

Cardinals electing a new pope began taking an oath of secrecy in the Sistine Chapel before being locked into the conclave, according to a live video feed from the Vatican.

After reciting together the oath in Latin, each of the 133 'Princes of the Church' are advancing to the altar to take his personal vow, his hand on the Bible.

Once they're finished the doors will close and the conclave gets underway.

Those hoping to witness the election of the next pope from St. Peter's Square must first pass through security checks.

As the conclave began, lines were forming at metal detectors at the square's entrances.

Once a new pope is elected, he'll appear on the balcony above the square to be introduced to the world.

For now, the checks remain relatively quick, but wait times are expected to grow once the white smoke appears.

Italy's Civil Protection agency estimates that up to 250,000 people could flood the square and Via della Conciliazione, the wide boulevard that leads from the Vatican to the Tiber River, to welcome the new pontiff.

Vatican Media has released some images of inside the Sistine Chapel as cardinals prepare for the papal conclave to elect a new Pope.

Red-robed cardinals entered the chapel following a procession from Pauline Chapel where they had assembled for final prayers.

Meanwhile, large crowds have gathered in St Peter's Square to watch events unfold on the big screen

Now inside the chapel, the cardinals are standing before Michelangelo's vision of heaven and hell in 'The Last Judgment'.

Each cardinal is placing their hand on the Gospel and is swearing to carry out their duty as of a swearing ceremony before the voting can begin.

The awesomeness of the chapel's frescoes, and Michelangelo's in particular, is meant to remind the cardinals of the weighty responsibility they bear.

Two by two, the cardinals entered the Sistine Chapel chanting the meditative 'Litany of the Saints' as Swiss Guards stood at attention.

The hymn implores the saints to help the cardinals find a new leader of the Catholic Church.

They bowed before the altar and took their places before taking an oath of secrecy and shutting the Sistine Chapel doors to start the conclave.

Visitors watched the cardinal's procession to the Sistine Chapel displayed on a screen, ahead of the conclave.

Large crowds have now assembled in St Peter's Square to watch footage from Pauline Chapel as worshippers wait to learn who will succeed Pope Francis.

by Nick Pisa in the Vatican

At 4.15pm local time the cardinals began their procession into the Sistine Chapel to begin the Conclave with the Litany of the Saints prayer being chanted in Latin by the choir.

As the start of the Conclave approached and as warned earlier signal in and around the Vatican began to drop and people were seen struggling to make calls and use data on their phones.

Police also increased patrols around St Peter's Square and a detachment of 'drone busters' who had been positioned for Pope Francis funeral were also back.

The 133 red-robed Catholic cardinals who will elect a new pope gathered to pray in the Vatican's Pauline Chapel ahead of the conclave.

The cardinals will then move in procession to the Sistine Chapel a few metres away, where they will be locked in ahead of a first vote on Wednesday evening for a successor to Pope Francis.

Let's recap what happens at the start of conclave before the cardinals lock themselves away from the rest of the world.

All times UK:

• 3.30pm - Cardinals will start a procession from the Pauline Chapel to the Sistine Chapel where the next pope will be elected.
• 4.30pm - Everyone must leave the Sistene Chapel - the moment 'extra omnes' is pronounced will mark the start of conclave.
• 6pm - Results of first ballot are expected with either white smoke, confirming the result of an election, or black smoke, confirming no decision has been reached, billowing from the Sistene Chapel chimney.

While the conclave might appear an exclusively male affair, women remain excluded in the Catholic church's upper hierarchy - they will play a crucial role in ensuring the role of choosing a new pope runs smoothly.

As the cardinals, the most geographically diverse conclave in the faith's 2,000-year history, prepare to sequester from the outside world, they will be supported throughout by Vatican City insiders, including nuns who help with everything from accommodation to food.

From now until the moment a new leader is elected, the nuns at the Domus Sanctae Marthae, a 100-suite guesthouse in Vatican City that is housing the cardinals in the coming days, will run the tightest of ships when it comes to cooking and cleaning.

Read the full story by Femail reporter Jo Tweedy here:

Here's our livestream from the Vatican as the conclave to elect a successor to Pope Francis gets underway

Here are the latest pictures from the Vatican where Catholic worshippers are continuing to gather ahead on the first day of conclave.

We're expecting the first vote to be held this afternoon after 133 cardinals are sealed inside the Sistine Chapel, meaning a new pope could be elected tonight.

But it is rare for white smoke to billow at the first attempt, meaning it is likely to continue into Thursday at least.

George Jacob Koovakad will close the doors of the Sistine Chapel

by Nick Pisa in the Vatican

After the shout in Latin of ‘Extra Omnes’ by master of ceremonies Archbishop Diego Ravelli, the doors of the Sistine Chapel will be closed by cardinal George Jacob Koovakad.

Cardinal Koovakad, 51, was famously pictured at Pope Francis funeral dread in white vestments among a sea of red clad colleagues with the Daily Mail headline reading:’ Someone didn’t get the memo.’

He was appointed cardinal in December 2024 by Pope Francis and the first Indian to be given the honour and he has been serving as the Vatican prefect at the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue.

Cardinal Koovakad follows the Syro-Malabar church which although Catholic is more in line with eastern rites and is why he wears a white robe.

by Sophie Carlin

Catholic cardinals have turned to a slightly bizarre source to prepare for the papal conclave starting today - the 2024 Ralph Fiennes film Conclave.

Some of the 133 senior church officials set to cast their votes on a new pope in the Sistine Chapel have looked to Tinseltown for tips ahead of the highly complex election process.

A cleric involved in the papal conclave, convened following the death of Pope Francis on April 21, told POLITICO: 'Some have watched it in the cinema.'

The film, directed by Edward Berger, fictionalises the papal conclave process, starring British actor Ralph Fiennes as Cardinal Thomas Lawrence, heading up the College of Cardinals - and the entire election procedure.

But even the clergy are not above scandal and gossip - and Conclave includes plenty of dramatic revelations, two-faced backstabbing and major fallings out.

The cleric said the film is considered even by cardinals to be an incredibly accurate representation of the conclave procedure - making it particularly useful for research purposes.

It is especially relevant seeing as so many of the 252 cardinals have never experienced a conclave before, having been appointed during the late pontiff's stint as leader of the Catholic world.

Released just four months before the late Pope's death, the film has proven an astonishingly prescient guide to the papal conclave process for millions across the globe too, who have suddenly found themselves gripped by all the pre-conclave Vatican scandal.

Interested in conclave but not clued up on your Latin? Have no fear, MailOnline is here to help with a glossary of phrases you may hear throughout the process to elect a new Pope.

Here are some need-to-know terms to help make sense of news in the coming hours and perhaps days:

• Extra omnes

A Latin phrase for 'all out,' it's spoken by the master for papal liturgical celebrations, currently Italian Archbishop Diego Ravelli, to ask all those present except the cardinal electors to leave the Sistine Chapel to begin the voting process during the conclave.

• Habemus Papam

This Latin phrase translates to 'We have a pope'. These are the words used by the protodeacon of the College of Cardinals to announce from the gallery of St. Peter's Basilica that a new pope has been elected. He then says the new pope's birth name and the name he has chosen to use as pope, also in Latin

• Sede vacante

This is Latin for 'vacant seat', the period between the pope's death or resignation and the election of a new one.

• Universi Dominici Gregis

This Latin phrase means 'the Lord's whole flock.' It's the Vatican constitution that regulates the processes from a pope's death until a new one is elected. St. John Paul II issued it in 1996 during his papacy, and Pope Benedict XVI twice amended it, most significantly by removing John Paul's provision that after about 12 days of balloting a simple majority could elect a new pope rather than a two-thirds majority.

We're now just a couple of hours away from the centuries-old ritual to elect a new Pope getting underway in the Vatican.

Conclave, the highly secretive electoral process, will see 133 cardinals from across the world come together to choose the new leader of the Catholic Church.

In case you've just joined us, here's what happened today so far:

• Cardinals started the day by attending a special mass in St Peter's Basilica where senior cardinal Giovanni Battista Re urged those voting to set aside 'every personal consideration' when selecting a new leader
• Battista Re asked cardinals to choose a pope whom ‘the Church and humanity need at this difficult and complex turning point in history’
• It came amid the first item of controversy to hit conclave after African cardinal John Njue claimed he 'hadn't been invited' to vote in the Vatican
• Cardinals have been publishing their final social media posts as they prepare to hand over their phones and head inside the Sistine Chapel where they will be cut off from the outside world
• Vatican officials have confirmed that making or receiving phone calls will become 'impossible' from 3pm local time as communication signals are deactivated
• Italian media is reporting cardinal Pietro Parolin has around 50 backers while Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Pierbattista Pizzaballa and Filipino cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle were also garnering support

Stick with us for the latest updates as cardinals prepare for a procession to the Sistine Chapel with a vote expected later this afternoon.

This group of nuns are enjoying themselves with an ice cream as the Vatican marks the first day of an historic conclave.

As Catholics across the world wait to see who will be the next Pope, many have had their say on the type of leader they want in the Vatican.

The Associated Press spoke to Catholics in Europe, Africa, North America and the Middle East to ask what they would like from the new pope.

Here's what they had to say:

Nadia Makuc, 20, a junior at Princeton University in New Jersey

I'm hoping that we have a leader who can just really share the Christian message of mercy and forgiveness, as well as joy and hope. That's something Pope Francis was really good about - spreading the joy and hope found in Christ's resurrection.

• Christoph Rudinger, 49, an educator from Linz, Austria

I expect the pope to have open arms, to have open hands for the concerns of the people who approach him, regardless of whether they're Catholic or not.

• Beatrice Rakoma, 64, a pensioner in Johannesburg, South Africa

It's not about color, race or gender. Whichever pope will be elected, it has to be about the glory of God, not about being whichever cultural, race or gender background you come from.

• Carlo Caniglia, 60, a civil servant from Mantova, Italy

If the Catholic Church wants to survive in this fast-changing world, it needs to change and the pope needs to lead that way. Pope Francis did a good job regarding those topics and I want the next pope to continue that way.

• Bernard Anka, 65, a grocer and Maronite Catholic in Lebanon

The work of the new pope should be to bring back the happiness, confidence and internal peace. Christians used to go and face life without fear.

Pope Francis appears on the St Peter's balcony for the first time as pope

When white smoke billows above the Sistine Chapel, the world will know a new pope has been elected.

The cardinal voted by his peers must first accept the role and choose a papal name.

Pope Francis, whose real name was Jorge Mario Bergoglio, chose Francis in honour of St Francis of Assisi.

The pope will then head to the room where the vestments are laid out, otherwise known as the Stanza delle Lacrime, or room of tears, as Popes have previously burst into tears once nominated.

Shortly afterwards, an an announcement will be made from the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica, where the new pope steps out to give his first public blessing.

The new pope will be announced with the Latin proclamation: "Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum: Habemus Papam!" ("I bring you tidings of great joy: We have a pope!")

That will be immediately followed by the revelation of his baptismal name, in Latin, followed by the papal name he has chosen.

Pope John Paul II with Pope Benedict, pictured together in 2004

Nick Pisa in Vatican City

Of the 133 cardinal electors 107 were chosen by Pope Francis, 21 by Pope Benedict and five by Pope John Paul II.

Europe has 60 cardinals with 19 from Italy, there are three from the UK, central and Latin America have 21, north America has 12, Africa 15, Asia 20 and Australasia three.

The longest conclave in the last 100 years was in 1922 and took five days and concluded with the election of Pope Pius XI.

He served as Pope until his death in 1939 and was in charge when the Vatican City was created as an independent state from Italy with the Lateran Treaty.

After he died, he was buried in the Papal grotto under St Peter’s and whilst his tomb was being dug bones were uncovered which are said to be that of the first Pope, St Peter.

He used his reign to condemn both Adolf Hitler and Italian dictator Benito Mussolini and also wrote a papal encyclical called ‘casti connubi’ which stressed the sanctity of marriage and prohibited Catholics from using artificial birth control and abortion.

Once elected the new Pope will also have to choose a name and top of the list is John with 21 Popes previously using the name, followed by Gregory (16) and Benedict (15) while some of the lesser ones are Stephen (9), Boniface (8) and Urban (8).

Crowds are steadily building in St Peter's Square as conclave gets under way in the Vatican.

We're just a couple of hours away from cardinals heading inside the Sistine Chapel where votes to elect the new pope will be taken.

We're expecting the first vote this afternoon although it's unlikely we'll see white smoke, meaning a pope has been elected, billowing out tonight.

Here are the latest pictures from the Vatican:

by Nick Pisa in Vatican City

This is the moment Pope Francis' Fisherman’s ring and seal was ‘smashed’ with mystery surrounding the timing of the ritual.

Traditionally the Camerlengo, the cardinal in temporary charge of the Vatican following the death of a Pope, in this case Irish American cardinal Kevin Farrell, usually symbolically smashes the items to ceremoniously mark the end of a Pope’s reign.

Instead a Vatican female employee, who officials rescued to name was given the task, and video was shared showing her scratching away at the ring and seal on Tuesday.

Respected Italian newspaper Corriere Della Sera highlighted how it was ‘not ritual and with a certain lateness’.

They added how it was strange the items had only been destroyed at ‘the last minute’ dying the final congress or meeting of the cardinals ahead of the Conclave.

According to tradition the ring and seal is smashed at the very first meeting of cardinals following the death of a Pope and to have it done at the final one, just hours before the start of the Conclave is highly unusual.

by Nick Pisa in Vatican City

Cardinals have been making their last social media posts ahead of turning off their mobiles and handing them in.

Chilean Fernando Chomali, archbishop of Santiago, posted a video of himself washing a white shirt in the sink.

He wrote: 'Today I will enter Conclave without my cellular phone. Only before God can you vote for who will be Pope. It’s a responsibility that overwhelms me.’

Meanwhile the cardinal of Algiers Jean-Paul Vesco chose Facebook and said:

Tonight I enter the silence of the conclave, I can’t wait... this archaic institution from the 11th century is demonstrating incredible modernity in the age of over-mediation, social media and our digital dependencies.

No more phones or internet, the windows of our rooms are sealed... We will emerge with the proclamation: “Habemus papam!” (We have a Pope) What an adventure indeed!

Also posting on Facebook was the youngest cardinal Ukranian Mykola Bycok, 45, who said: 'While I am in the Sistine Chapel I will pray for a just peace in Ukraine.'

News that a Pope has – or hasn't been elected - will be relayed to the world in the skies above the Sistine Chapel.

We're talking about of course the tiny chimney, installed by firefighters just last week, on the roof of the building inside the pope's official residence in the Vatican.

The ritual of the smoke in papal conclaves is ancient. Chemicals are used colour the smoke and there is a stove with a fan that makes the smoke more visible.

Read more here:

by Nick Pisa in Vatican City

Officials in the Vatican have confirmed telephone signals will be deactivated as part of the final preparations of conclave.

In a statement the governor’s office said that from 3pm local time (2pm UK time) ‘it would be impossible to make or receive’ telephone calls inside the tiny city state.

It said:

All equipment that can transmit telecommunications signals to cellular telephones with the Vatican City state will be deactivated.

They will only be switched back on once the election of a new Pope has been announced. The objective is to prevent leaking of information and possible cyber-attacks.

In 2013, following the election of Pope Francis, it was said that an American cardinal tried to call Pope Benedict, who had made history by retiring, and who was away from Rome but couldn’t reach him to tell him as his phone wouldn’t work.

by Nick Pisa in the Vatican

Italian media has reported this morning that Cardinal Pietro Parolin had around 50 backers while closely following behind support ‘in the tens’ were Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Pierbattista Pizzaballa and Filipino cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle.

Vatican watchers predicted that the initial three rounds of voting would be ‘jockeying’ for position but the crucial votes would be round four and five which are scheduled for Thursday afternoon.

In another element of intrigue, the Hungarian Ambassador to the Holy See Eduard Habsburg dismissed as nonsense speculation of a pact between Pietro Parolin and cardinal Peter Erdo of Budapest.

He wrote on X:

Any speculation of a pre conclave deal…is totally false. Cardinal Erdo has engaged in no such discussion.

Some watchers had claimed cardinal Erdo, who is a traditionalist was willing to get his backers to support cardinal Parolin, in order for him to be nominated as Secretary of State and have the number two job.

Cardinals from 70 countries across five continents are voting in today's conclave which is the largest and the most international ever.

In total, there are 252 Catholic cardinals but only 135 are eligible to vote because they are under 80.

Of those, two are not voting, meaning 133 will vote today after they were summoned to Rome following the death of Pope Francis on April 21.

Let's take where the cardinals are in the world by continent:

• Europe: 114
• Asia: 37
• South America: 32
• Africa: 29
• North America: 28
• Central America: 8
• Oceania: 4

According to the BBC, the youngest cardinal voting today is Ukrainian-born Melbourne bishop Mykola Bychok at the age of 45.

While the cardinals are supposed to resist any 'secular' influences in their choice, such lobbying abounded in Rome in the days before the conclave as various groups reminded cardinals of what ordinary Catholics want in a leader.

Young Catholics. a group which includes authors, professors and research scholars in the US and elsewhere, penned an open letter reminding cardinals that there is no church without young people, women and the laity.

Conservative Catholic media slipped cardinals copies of a glossy book containing their assessments of contenders.

Survivors of clergy sexual abuse warned cardinals that they would be held accountable if they failed to find a leader who will crack down on decades of abuse and cover-up.

While Advocates for women's ordination were sending pink smoke signals over the Vatican to demand that women be allowed to be priests.

Cardinals in recent days have offered different assessments of what they are looking for in the next pontiff.

While some have called for continuity with Francis' vision of greater openness and reform, others have said they want to turn the clock back and embrace old traditions. Many have indicated they want a more predictable, measured pontificate.

Salvadoran Cardinal Gregorio Rosa Chavez (pictured) said he did not think the cardinals would retreat from Francis' vision for the Church.

'There will not be a step backwards,' Rosa Chavez, aged 82, told the Corriere della Sera newspaper. 'It is not possible.'

Whoever is chosen, I think it will be a pope who continues the work begun by Francis.

A record 133 cardinals from 70 countries will enter the Sistine Chapel, up from 115 from 48 nations in the last conclave in 2013 -- growth that reflects Francis' efforts to extend the reach of the Church to far-flung regions with few Catholics.

by Nick Pisa in the Vatican

The new Pope’s robes have been made by tailor Raniero Mancinelli, 86, who has been working at the Vatican for 70 years.

Three robes in small, medium and large have been sewn and are in a side room at St Peter’s Basilica ready for the new Pope to wear once elected.

He will don the white vestments as he addresses what is expected to be a crowd of 250,000 people from the balcony.

Mr Mancinelli said:

Mission accomplished, there are three sizes all ready, small, medium and large. Seven pairs of shoes are also ready and a mozzetta has also been made.

A mozzetta is a short elbow length vestments that covers the shoulders and is buttoned from the front that was also made for Pope Francis but he never wore.

Cardinals exit St Peter's Basilica following a mass service

by Nick Pisa in Vatican City

The mass in St Peter's has now finished and cardinals are heading back to the Santa Marta guest house for lunch and where they will have pre Conclave 'informal' chats.

There is speculation that that the Conclave will be over after just three rounds of voting with a result on Thursday afternoon.

Italian media continues to say that Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State and Pope Francis number 2, has around 50 votes.

Meanwhile Cardinal Paolo Romeo, Archbishop of Palermo, who at 87 is not eligible to vote has also suggested the elction process will be short.

He told Italian TV: 'It won't be a long Conclave, after the fifth or sixth vote a new Pope will be elected.'

The Pope is the spiritual leader the Catholic Church which has more than a billion followers across the world.

Also known as the supreme or Roman pontiff, the Pope has supreme authority in matters of faith, morals, governance and discipline.

They typically preside over major church celebrations held at St Peter’s Basilica throughout the year and are expected to meet with more than 5,000 bishops from around the world at least once every five years.

As the bishop of Rome, he is also in charge of governing and managing the Vatican.

Cardinal Timothy Radcliffe (left) and Cardinal Vincent Nichols

There are five UK and Irish cardinals but none of them are considered to be a possible contender to succeed Pope Francis.

Archbishop of Westminster Cardinal Vincent Nichols, from Liverpool, and the leader of Catholics in England and Wales, is taking part in conclave, as is Cardinal Timothy Radcliffe, who is from London.

Aged 75, Cardinal Arthur Roche, from West Yorkshire and based in Rome, is the youngest of the UK and Ireland's cardinals.

Both Cardinal Radcliffe and Cardinal Nichols appeared to rule themselves out of the running, soon after Francis's death was announced.

Cardinal Nichols told reporters he was 'too old, not capable', while Cardinal Radcliffe said he believed the Holy Spirit was 'far too wise to even think of me (as pope) for the shortest moment'.

Cardinal Sean Brady, Ireland's only Catholic cardinal, will turn 86 this summer and so is also unable to vote because of his age, as is Cardinal Michael Fitzgerald, from Birmingham, who will turn 88 in August.

The Italian capital Rome is on high alert ahead of the conclave.

The Vatican's Swiss Guards and Italian carabinieri and police have been mobilised as Rome and the wider world hold their breath to see who will emerge from the conclave as the next pontiff.

Earlier this morning, when cardinals attended a special pre-conclave Mass in St Peter's Basilica, police were carrying out enhanced checks of people entering St Peter's Square.

Over 4,000 officers have been deployed, with an anti-drone system and signal jammers to block communication between the cardinals and the outside world once they enter into their secret assembly.

'The safety of the cardinals is a priority, but so is that of the faithful outside,' said Fabio Ciciliano, head Italy's Civil Protection agency.

The highly secretive rituals in a papal conclave have existed for hundreds of year.

It is understood placing cardinals in isolation away from the outside world was borne as a consequence of the longest papal election in history.

When Pope Clement IV died in 1268 it took 1,006 days, around 33 months, to elect his successor Pope Gregory X.

At the time cardinals were not cut off from the outside world leaving them open to political and religious influence.

Following his eventual election, Pope Gregory X took steps to address the issues surrounding future papal elections which included the seclusion of cardinals. He died in 1276, five years after ascending the papacy.

Firefighters install a chimney on the Sistine Chapel roof ahead of conclave

There is no limit as to how long a conclave can last when electing a new Pope.

One vote will be held on the first day of voting this afternoon with the result expected at around 6pm.

If this vote is not decisive, over the next two days, two votes will be held in the morning, and two more in the afternoon.

Both of the most recent conclaves, in 2005 to elect Pope Benedict and 2013 to elect Pope Francis lasted two days.

If a decision still has not been made after three days, a break of up to one day is permitted, allowing for prayer and discussion amongst cardinals.

But this process can continue indefinitely, until a majority is reached.

After voting sessions, the ballots are burned in a special stove.

Black smoke indicates that no pope has been elected, while white smoke indicates that the cardinals have chosen the next head of the Catholic Church.

Here are some pictures from the special mass held at St Peter's Basilica this morning before cardinals head to the Sistine Chapel to vote for a new Pope.

Cardinals gathering to choose the next Pope have been urged to pick one whom ‘the Church and humanity need at this difficult and complex turning point in history’.

Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, 91, made his plea during a sermon this morning at St Peter’s Basilica ahead of the start of the Conclave in the Sistine Chapel this afternoon.

The 133 cardinals – dressed in their red robes signifying the blood of Christ - will be locked away in the Sistine Chapel, decorated by Michelangelo with frescoes from the Bible, and cardinal Re reminded them of their obligation.

In his sermon Cardinal Re said:

We are here to invoke the help of the Holy spirit, to implore his light and strength so that the Pope elected may be whom the Church and humanity need at this difficult and complex turning point in history.

To pray, by invoking the Holy Spirit, is the only right and proper attitude to take, as the Cardinal electors prepare to undertake an act of the highest human and ecclesial responsibility and to make a choice of exceptional importance.

This is a human act for which every personal consideration must be set aside, keeping in mind and heart only the God of Jesus Christ and the good of the Church and of humanity.

Once inside the Sistine Chapel this afternoon, the cardinals will see Michelangelo’s vision of heaven and hell in ‘The Last judgement’ and will swear an oath on the Gospel to carry out their duty 'so help me God and these Holy Gospels, which I touch with my hand'.

The imposing frescoes, and Michelangelo's in particular, is meant to remind the cardinals of the weighty responsibility they bear.

In his rules for the conclave, St. John Paul II wrote that in the Sistine Chapel, ‘everything is conducive to an awareness of the presence of God, in whose sight each person will one day be judged.’

The conclave to elect a new Pope has been hit by a controversy after an African cardinal claimed he 'hadn't been invited'.

Cardinal John Njue, 79, is eligible to join the other 133 cardinals, from 70 countries, who are gathering in the Vatican for the start of the secretive process which begins this afternoon in the Sistine Chapel.

But in an interview the Kenyan clergyman suggested dark forces were at work in a scenario that could have come straight out of Ralph Fiennes papal blockbuster Conclave.

Speaking to Kenyan newspaper Daily Nation cardinal Njue said:' Those who go there for the election are usually sent official invites, and that has not happened on my part.

'The fact is that I have not been invited. I don't know why I've been excluded, if I'm not there it's not because I am in poor health.'

• Read the full story by Nick Pisa and Taryn Pedler here

After the death of Pope Francis at the age of 88, the world is waiting to see who will succeed him, as the Cardinals gather in Rome for the Papal Conclave.

Francis was the first Latin American Pope, so did that signal a wider change within the Catholic Church and will we now see the first black or Asian Pope?

Ross Clark reports on the top contenders to become the next Supreme Pontiff:

All 133 Catholic cardinals who will vote for a new pope arrived in Rome on Monday, before gathering at today's conclave to elect the next head of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics.

Hailing from 70 countries across five continents, the group - summoned following the death of Pope Francis on April 21 - is the largest and the most international ever.

The 133 so-called 'Princes of the Church' who will vote - all those aged under 80, minus two who are absent for health reasons - will gather this afternoon under the frescoed splendour of the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican.

Voting once that day and four times a day thereafter until a pope is chosen, they will stay at the nearby Santa Marta guesthouse but are forbidden from contacting the outside world until they have made their choice.

Let's take a look at some of the key questions ahead of today's vote:

• What is a conclave?

It refers to the secret meeting of cardinals who will gather in the Sistine Chapel to vote for the next pope.

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, it comes from the Latin meaning a room that can be locked with a key.

Vatican News – the news website connected to the Church in Rome – said 133 cardinals will take part in this conclave, which will begin on May 7.

The day will begin with mass attended by all voting cardinals in St Peter’s Basilica, before they enter the Sistine Chapel – and are cut off from communication with the outside world – to begin voting in the afternoon.

• How long might it take?

That is anybody’s guess. Each day, aside from the first, cardinals can vote four times – twice in the morning and twice in the afternoon.

Both of the most recent conclaves, in 2005 to elect Pope Benedict and 2013 to elect Pope Francis lasted just two days.

This conclave could have begun on May 5, but the delayed starting date of May 7 might allow the cardinals to get to know one another better and find consensus on a candidate or at least the frontrunners.

• Who is the next pope likely to be?

Technically, any baptised Catholic man could become the next pontiff, but it is highly unlikely the chosen one would be anyone other than a cardinal.

Only cardinals who were aged under 80 on the day of the pope’s death are eligible to vote but older cardinals not sitting in conclave could be elected.

While there has been much speculation as to the frontrunners, one expert described this conclave as “totally unpredictable”.

With all the pomp, drama and solemnity that the Catholic Church can muster, 133 cardinals on Wednesday begin the secretive, centuries-old ritual to elect a successor to Pope Francis, opening the most geographically diverse conclave in the faith's 2,000-year history.

Hailing from 70 countries, the cardinals will be sequestered from the outside world, their cellphones surrendered and airwaves around the Vatican jammed to prevent them from all communications until they find a new leader for the 1.4 billion-member church.

Francis named 108 of the 133 'princes of the church,' choosing many pastors in his image from far-flung countries like Mongolia, Sweden and Tonga that had never had a cardinal before.

Read our preview on today's conclave here:

Hello and welcome to MailOnline's live coverage as the conclave to choose Pope Francis’ successor begins in Vatican City.

Once the conclave begins this afternoon, more than 130 Catholic cardinals will vote in secret sessions while locked inside the Sistine Chapel.

After voting sessions, the ballots are burned in a special stove.

Black smoke indicates that no pope has been elected, while white smoke indicates that the cardinals have chosen the next head of the Catholic Church when they secure two-thirds of the vote.

Stick with us as we bring you live coverage throughout the day as the world waits to see who the next Pope will be with Nick Pisa reporting from Vatican City and Jamie Bullen in London.

By Nick Pisa in the Vatican

Shortly before the white smoke a seagull and its infant chick were seen by the chimney prompting applause and cheers.

Then as the crowd watched the adorable scene on large TV screens as the mother fed the little infant white smoke began to appear.