More than 130 cardinals from across the world have gathered in the Vatican to begin the process of electing a new pontiff following the death of Pope Francis.
A special Mass is celebrated before the election of the new pope, at St Peter’s Basilica.
The service, is presided over by Giovanni Battista Re, the 91-year-old Cardinal Dean who was also the celebrant of Pope Francis’ funeral.
This afternoon, the cardinals will walk to the Sistine Chapel to cast their votes beneath the famous Renaissance frescoes
Once cardinals enter the chapel, around local time ( BST), they will have no communication with the outside world until a new Pope is elected
This marks the beginning of the conclave – which comes from the Latin for “cum clave”, or “locked with key”
After the first vote later today, smoke will emerge from the Sistine Chapel chimney – black smoke means more voting will take place tomorrow, white means we have a new pope.
