Once the conclave begins, cardinals will vote twice in the morning and twice in the evening until they make a selection.

Pope Francis, who chose his papal name after the 13th-century figure St. Francis of Assisi, known as the patron saint of ecologists, was the fiercest climate and environment advocate in the church’s history.

More than 250,000 people paid their respects to the pontiff at his funeral in front of St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican said. Dozens of world leaders attended, including President Trump.

No pope had been laid to rest outside the Vatican in more than a century, but Francis opted instead for burial in Santa Maria Maggiore, located in the Italian capital's most multi-cultural neighbourhood.

The thousands lining the streets of Rome applauded as the popemobile carrying Pope Francis’ simple wooden coffin passed by. People gather along the road as the coffin of late Pope Francis is transported from St Peter's Basilica to Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica,

The office of President Zelensky shared a picture of Trump and Zelensky engaged in conversation at St. Peter’s Basilica.

Conclave: Inside the secret election to choose the next Pope - The method the Catholic Church uses to select their leader has remained virtually unchanged for the last 800 years