Cardinals move into Vatican for papal conclave starting Wednesday

Cardinals began moving into Vatican accommodations on Tuesday ahead of the conclave to elect a new pope following Pope Francis's death on April 21.

The Sistine Chapel was prepared for the papal election as cardinals from around the globe moved into Santa Marta guesthouse, with some staying at nearby Santa Marta Vecchia due to limited space.

Voting will commence Wednesday in the Sistine Chapel under strict confidentiality rules, and cardinals will communicate progress through smoke signals: black for no decision, white for a new pope elected.

Preparatory meetings held over the past fortnight helped unify the diverse group of 133 cardinal electors from nearly 70 countries across five continents.

The conclave is expected to focus on addressing issues such as child sex abuse and Vatican finances, with no clear frontrunner identified among more than a dozen potential candidates.