During the voting period, the cardinals are cut off from the outside world – denied phones and access to the internet or newspapers.
They sleep and eat in Casa Santa Marta, a five-story guesthouse within the Vatican complex. The election is held in strict secrecy inside the Sistine Chapel, famously painted by Michelangelo.
Each cardinal votes for the candidate they wish to become Pope. They can vote for themselves if they wish. If any cardinals are too ill to be in the chapel, they can vote from their rooms.
A new pope is elected when a candidate has secured the support of 89 cardinals - which can take several rounds of voting.
In previous centuries, conclaves have gone on for weeks or months. Some cardinals have even died during the process.
The last two conclaves have concluded by the end of the second day.
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