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[size=18pt]HOW A POPE IS SELECTED[/size]

Inside the Sistine Chapel, paper ballots are passed out to each cardinal, who writes the name of their chosen candidate below the words "Eligo in Summun Pontificem" (Latin for "I elect as supreme pontiff". Cardinals cannot vote for themselves.

When they're done, each cardinal -- in order of seniority -- walks to an altar to ceremoniously place his folded ballot into a chalice. The votes are then counted up and the result is read to the cardinals.

If a cardinal has received two-thirds of the vote, he becomes the new pope.

If there is no pope, as many as four votes a day -- two in the morning and two in the afternoon -- can be held on the second, third and fourth days of the conclave. The fifth day is set aside to break for prayer and discussion, and then voting can continue for an additional seven rounds. After that, there's another break and the pattern resumes.

Lisa Shepard from Virginia and her sister Mary Uhrig are in Rome on a tour arranged late in 2012. Excited to be at the Vatican during historic times, both had firm favourites in the papal election.

“I’m hoping for the Filipino cardinal, Louis Tagle,” said Ms Shepard. “He’s young and great with technology so he’d be good for communicating the Church’s message to the world.”

For her part, Ms Uhrig was backing Ghanaian Cardinal Peter Turkson. “He’s strong and spiritual and would be a great guide for the young,” she said.

Standing by the barricade facing the balcony from which the new Pope will be introduced to the faithful, Adrie Asselin said he didn’t mind who was elected Pope, as long as he opened the Church up to the whole world.

“I want a Pope who understands that women can play a role in the Church, because currently it just sees things through the eyes of men,” said the 73-year-old Canadian.

kisibo: HABEMUS PAPAM is our new pope !!!!!!!!

tchidi: Halleluyah!!! Who is the pope?