Cardinals fail to elect new Pope on first day of voting

Cardinals of the Catholic Church have failed to elect a new pope on their first day in the Vatican conclave.

Black smoke rising from a chimney above the Sistine Chapel indicated that their ballot had been unsuccessful.

The 115 cardinal-electors will vote four times daily until two-thirds can agree on a single candidate.

The election was prompted by the surprise retirement of Benedict XVI.

There is no clear frontrunner to take over from him as head of the Church.

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