As the conclave to elect a new pope rumbles on, here are some of the names, in alphabetical order, being talked about as possible successors to Pope Francis, who died last month. Fiona Jones explains.

A successor to Pope Francis had been elected. But there will be a short wait before his identity becomes clear.

Black smoke appeared from a chimney atop the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican on Thursday, signalling that cardinals meeting in a secret conclave did not elect a new pope during their two morning ballots.

The United States is home to 10 of the 133 cardinals eligible to vote for the next pope. That's more than any other nation except Italy, home to 17 of the electors who will gather at the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel on Wednesday for the conclave that will choose a successor to Pope Francis.

E dey clear say di voting process don dey concluded and di cardinals don chose Pope Francis successor. We no know who e be yet but e dey expected to appear on di balcony wey dey face St Peter's Square in di next hour.

The 133 cardinals are expected to vote again in the morning after spending the night sequestered at the Vatican residences. On Wednesday evening, black smoke poured out of the Sistine Chapel chimney indicating no pope was elected on the first ballot of the conclave.

Villanova’s president and a friend of Pope Leo XIV told the Today Show about the moment he found out his friend was elected as the next pope.

Villanova University alumnus Cardinal Robert Prevost, who will be known as Pope Leo XIV, was elected as the next leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics and succeeds Pope Francis.