Nearly 200 cardinals have descended on St. Peter’s Basilica for the conclave — one of them will emerge as the next head of the Roman Catholic Church, the largest branch of the world’s largest religion.
Large television screens were placed under statues of Sts. Peter and Paul and along the Via della Conciliazione. Thousands of faithful onlookers have gathered outside the world’s largest church in anticipation of the next Pope.
CARDINALS CELEBRATE FINAL MASS BEFORE CONCLAVE TO ELECT 267TH POPE BEGINS
Smoke from the newly installed chimney indicates the result of each vote: black smoke indicates an inconclusive vote, while white smoke indicates the selection of a new pope.
The cardinals will remain isolated until a pontiff is chosen.