Black smoke signals end of first day of conclave

Black smoke emerged from the chimney over the Sistine Chapel at 9.00pm on Wednesday evening, signalling that a first ballot had been held at the conclave and had concluded without the election of a Pope.

Around 45,000 people had gathered in St Peter's Square to await the announcement, which had been expected some time after 7.00pm.

Day Two of the Conclave begins tomorrow with up to four ballots taking place - two in the morning and then two in the afternoon, should there be no white smoke from in the morning.