The cardinals have gathered in Vatican City to choose the 267th pope. St Peter, regarded as the first pope, was elected around 30AD. In the morning, cardinals will take part in a mass in St Peter’s Basilica. Later, in the afternoon, the cardinals will walk in a procession along the Via delle Fondamenta to the Sistine Chapel.

Cardinals who will take part in the secret conclave to elect a new Catholic pope began checking into two Vatican hotels on Tuesday, where they will be barred from contact with the outside world as they decide who should succeed Pope Francis.