Black smoke rose once again from the Sistine Chapel chimney on Thursday, signaling that the cardinals participating in the papal conclave have not yet selected a successor to Pope Francis.

The Catholic Church's cardinals on Wednesday took part in the pre-Conclave 'Pro Eligendo Romano Pontifice' Mass in Saint Peter's Basilica before the start of the election of the new pope later in the day.

Cardinals from around the globe are convening in Vatican to begin the process of selecting a new pope, following the passing of Pope Francis on Easter Monday.

Roman Catholic cardinals will meet in a secret conclave to elect the new leader of the global Church starting from May 7, a senior Vatican source said on Monday.

The world’s Catholic cardinals convened on Monday for their first meeting since the funeral of Pope Francis to discuss the timing of the secret conclave that will elect the next leader of the global Church.