Catholic cardinals are gathering in the Vatican to choose the successor of Pope Francis, who died on April 21. The vote will take place in the Sistine Chapel, with votes continuing in succession until any candidate obtains two thirds of the votes available.
If a clear choice has not emerged after three days, the vote is suspended for 24 hours to allow the time of cardinal voters to be reflected. Since 1831, no conclave has lasted more than four days.
The end of each voting round will be indicated by the smoke that emanates from a chimney of stove tubes on the Sistine Chapel. The black smoke, smoked Nera in Italian, indicates a non -conclusive vote, while the white smoke, Fumata Bianca, will mean that a new Pope has been chosen, as well as the sound of the bells of the Basilica of San Pedro.
