Cardinals are due to begin their second day of deliberations in the Vatican conclave that will elect a new pope, after reaching no decision on Tuesday.

The 115 cardinal-electors are shut off in the Sistine Chapel until two-thirds agree on a leader for the world's 1.2bn Catholics.

Black smoke signalling an inconclusive first vote drew cheers from crowds in St Peter's Square on Tuesday evening.

There is no clear frontrunner to replace Pope Benedict XVI.

The 85-year-old stepped down last month, saying he was no longer strong enough to lead the Church, which is beset by problems ranging from a worldwide scandal over child sex abuse to allegations of corruption at the Vatican Bank.

The cardinals will vote four times daily until a single candidate garners enough support - at which point the smoke coming from the Sistine Chapel chimney will be white.

After Tuesday night's sleep at the Vatican hotel, they will travel through the gardens back to the chapel on Wednesday morning to resume voting.

Voting takes place in silence, with no formal discussion, until a decision is reached. If that does not happen after three days, there may be a pause for prayer and informal discussion for a maximum of one day.

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