Catholic cardinals are gathering at the Vatican to elect the successor to Pope Francis, who died on April 21. Voting will take place in the Sistine Chapel, with ballots continuing in succession until any candidate secures two-thirds of the available votes.

Hundreds of people watched on giant video screens and waited for the first puffs of smoke to learn whether a pope had been elected or not.

Each of the more than 130 cardinals swore an oath of secrecy as the papal conclave began to elect a new pope.