Conclave begins: Cardinals gather in Vatican to elect new pope

Conclave begins Wednesday, when 133 cardinals from around the world will be sequestered in the Sistine Chapel to select the next pope.

At around 10 a.m. local time, cardinals from 70 countries entered St. Peter’s Basilica to celebrate a final mass before the conclave.

Of the 133 cardinals, 16 are from North America, including four Canadians. But there are also 53 electors from Europe, 23 from Asia and 18 from Africa.

Cardinals have had meetings leading up to the day to discuss where the church is at right now, the needs of the church and what qualities the next pope needs to have in order to address current challenges.

Voters are being urged to elect someone who seeks unity and avoids personal interest.

Electors will cast their ballots and the voting will continue until one candidate gets two-thirds majority, or 89 votes.

The cardinals are not required to take a first vote Wednesday, but they usually do.

Smoke coming from the chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel will signal the outcome of the papal conclave.

Black smoke indicates that no decision has been reached, while white smoke signifies that a new pope has been chosen.

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