Cardinals entered the conclave to choose the successor to Benedict XVI at the Vatican on Tuesday evening.
The 115 voting cardinals, who are forbidden from contact with the outside world during the conclave, must arrive at a two-thirds majority to select the next pope. While the conclave has no set time limit, earlier reports had speculated that the process would be finished before the end of the month, in time for Easter.
Observers have been unable to identify any clear favorite despite speculation as to who could be the next pontiff.
By John Power (john.power@heraldcorp.com)