13 March 2013
Last updated at 05:52
As it happened: First day of papal conclave
Key Points
- Cardinals in Rome have begun the conclave which will decide who will be the next leader of the world's 1.2bn Roman Catholics
- The 115 electors have taken an oath of secrecy inside the Sistine Chapel
- The first smoke from the chapel, signifying a ballot has been held, came out black - meaning no decision has been reached
- There will be four votes per day until the new Pope is chosen
- The election was prompted by the surprise abdication of Benedict XVI
- All times GMT