A Mass for the Election of the Roman Pontiff at Saint Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday kicked off the conclave proceedings. This is as cardinals prepare to debate and cast their vote for their preferred new Pope.

As of 16:00 on Wednesday, cardinals will be cut off from the outside world for the secret meetings. The only communication – smoke from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel.

But here’s how the voting process works:

Each cardinal elector receives at least two or three ballots. Then, the senior cardinal deacon draws lots to appoint three scrutineers (to count the votes), three infirmarii (to collect votes from ill cardinals), and three revisers (to verify the count).

Before voting begins, all non-electors leave the chapel, the doors are closed, and the vote is cast. The only time the doors are opened is if needed.

After all votes have been cast, the first scrutineer shakes the chalice to mix the ballots. The last scrutineer then counts them one by one, transferring them into a second, empty container. If the number of ballots doesn’t match the number of voters, all ballots are burned and a new vote is held immediately. If the count is correct, the ballots are opened and read.

Once all ballots have been read and the votes tallied, the final scrutineer pierces each ballot with a needle through the word Eligo (from Eligo in Summum Pontificem” or “I elect as Supreme Pontiff”) and threads them together with string.

A two-thirds majority is required for the new Pope to be elected. That means at least 89 votes are needed out of 133 electors is needed for Wednesday’s vote.

Voting occurs four times daily: twice in the morning, twice in the afternoon. If, after three days, no candidate has been chosen, voting is paused for one day of prayer and informal discussions.

But Once a Pope is elected, he will be led to the “Room of Tears”, a small room next to the Sistine Chapel where he dons the white papal vestments for the first time.

While this is taking place, those interested can book a ticket at their nearest cinema to watch Edward Berger and Peter Straughan’s re-imagination of a conclave.

This article was prepared using information sourced from Vatican News.