Rome conclave: Cardinals to resume papal deliberations

Cardinals are due to begin their second day of deliberations in the Vatican conclave that will elect a new Pope, after reaching no decision on Tuesday.

The 115 cardinal-electors are shut off in the Sistine Chapel until two-thirds agree on a leader for the world's 1.2 billion Catholics.

Crowds who had braved rain and storms to watch the cardinals go into the conclave on big screens in St Peter's Square cheered as the black smoke appeared at 19:41 (18:41 GMT) on Tuesday.

There is no clear frontrunner to replace Pope Benedict XVI, even if several names are being touted in international media as clear favourites.

The 85-year-old stepped down last month, saying he was no longer strong enough to lead the Church, which is beset by problems ranging from a worldwide scandal over child sex abuse to allegations of corruption at the Vatican Bank.

The cardinals will vote four times daily until a single candidate garners enough support - at which point the smoke coming from the Sistine Chapel chimney will be white.

After celebrating Mass this morning, they will return to the Sistine Chapel to resume voting.

They can vote twice in the morning. If those ballots are inconclusive, black smoke will once again rise from the chimney and the election will resume after lunch.

Voting takes place in silence, with no formal debate, until a decision is reached. If that does not happen after three days, there may be a pause for prayer and informal discussion for a maximum of one day.

The buzz in Rome is that a new Pope may be elected by Friday night, perhaps even earlier, the BBC reports and that there is no desire among the cardinals for a prolonged conclave.

The cardinal-electors attended a special Mass on Tuesday morning, and then entered the Sistine Chapel to begin the conclave on Tuesday afternoon.

After swearing a Latin oath, the papal master of ceremonies called out the words "Extra omnes" - "Everybody out" - and the chapel doors were locked to outsiders.

From now on the cardinals - all under 80, as those over 80 are excluded - will eat, vote and sleep in closed-off areas until a new pope is chosen.

Jamming devices in the Sistine Chapel should block all electronic communication and anyone tweeting would in any case risk being excommunicated.