More than 130 cardinals are entering the largest-ever conclave today to elect the new pope. They will go into the Sistine Chapel in City to choose the late 's successor and will have no contact with the outside world until white smoke rises into the air. Up to four votes will be had each day apart from the first, as proceedings will not get under way until the afternoon.
After this, the cardinals hold two daily votes until one candidate has a two-thirds majority. When enough have agreed on a candidate, he is asked if he accepts the papacy and by which name he wishes to be known. The ballots are then burned with an additive to produce white smoke that announces a new pope has been selected.
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