Some of the 133 voting cardinals had said they expected a short conclave to replace Pope Francis. But it will likely take a few rounds of voting for one man to secure the two-thirds majority, or 89 ballots,

The conclave to select the next pope has begun after Catholic cardinals from across the world filed into the Sistine Chapel Wednesday before sealing themselves inside.

The conclave to elect a new pope has officially begun, with a Vatican official calling out ''extra omnes'' and the door to the Sistine Chapel shutting.