The first conclave in more than a decade comes during an uncertain time for the church, which is facing difficult decisions about its future direction, strained finances and a reckoning over past sexual abuse scandals.

Black smoke rises from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, meaning that cardinals did not elect a new pope on the first day of the conclave.

Roman Catholic cardinals will begin the task of electing a new pope, locking themselves away from the world until they choose the man they hope can unite a diverse but divided global Church.