Cardinals will take part in a mass at St Peter's Basilica this morning and will later walk to the Sistine Chapel to cast their votes under Michelangelo's frescoes. Once they enter the chapel, they will have no communication with the outside world until a new pope is elected.

The race is now on for the top job.

Francis’ successor will be selected by cardinals at the conclave that begins on May 7. Cardinals, known as the “princes of the church,” rank just below the pope in the Roman Catholic Church; together, they are known as the College of Cardinals. When a pope dies, the college chooses a successor.