Vatican: black smoke on Wednesday morning

Crowds gathered in St Peter's Square this morning saw black billowing from the chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel a few minutes ago - signalling that today's votes have not yet reached the majority needed to choose a new Pope.

The Cardinals meeting in Conclave began their day with Mass in the Pauline Chapel at 8.15 am. and then crossed the Sala Regia to the nearby Sistine Chapel.

There can be two votes in the morning, beginning at 9.30 am, and two in the afternoon beginning at 4.50 pm.

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Source: VIS/ICN