In a process dating to medieval times, the cardinals on May 7 filed into the Vatican's frescoed Sistine Chapel after a public Mass in St. Peter's Basilica, and started their secret conclave for a successor to Pope Francis, who passed away last month.

The conclave failed to elect a new pope after the first ballot on Wednesday. From the second day of the conclave, the cardinals can vote as many as four times a day. Voting could continue for several days before one of the red-hatted princes of the Church receives the necessary two-thirds majority to become the 267th pontiff.

Black smoke from a chimney on the roof of the chapel will mark an inconclusive vote, while white smoke and the peeling of bells will signal that the 1.4 billion member church has a new leader.

---Reuters---