A new pope will be selected when a candidate gets a two-thirds-plus-one majority vote by the cardinal electors. White smoke will be sent up the chimney of the Sistine Chapel when that happens, to indicate a new pope has been chosen.

Catholic cardinals from around the world gathered in the Vatican on Wednesday for the start of the conclave, the centuries-old secret voting ritual to elect a new pope to follow Pope Francis, who died April 21.

Black smoke from Vatican chimney signals Cardinals have not chosen new pope - Some 133 Cardinals began their secretive conclave on Wednesday with a first round of voting due in the afternoon