Cardinals have moved to the Sistine Chapel as the world awaits Vatican Chimney Smoke.
The cardinals, 133, have been urged to choose a leader who can guide the Catholic Church through a “difficult and complex” time.
They will cast their votes beneath the famous Renaissance frescoes and will have no communication with the outside world until a new pope is elected.
Smoke will emerge from the Sistine Chapel chimney after the first vote later today. Black smoke means more voting will take place tomorrow, while white smoke means there is a new pope.
The shortest conclave lasted for ten hours in 1503, resulting in the election of Pope Julius II, while the longest conclave lasted almost 3 years from 1268 to 1271, producing Pope Gregory X.
