Voting will take place in the Sistine Chapel, with ballots continuing in succession until any candidate secures two-thirds of the available votes. If no clear choice has emerged after three days, balloting is suspended for 24 hours to allow cardinal electors time to reflect.

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.

The first papal conclave in 12 years begins on Wednesday at the Vatican after a morning Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica. At 4:30 p.m. local time (10:30 a.m. Eastern), the cardinals will walk in a short procession to the Sistine Chapel from the nearby Pauline Chapel to begin the vote.