The Pope's influence extends far beyond the Catholic Church

Cardinals have entered a second day of secretive deliberations within the Vatican, as the search continues for a successor to Pope Francis.

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Black smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday afternoon, which signalled an unsuccessful first round of voting. The conclave, comprised of 133 eligible cardinals, reconvened on Thursday morning, tasked with electing the 267th pontiff to lead the 1.4 billion-member Roman Catholic Church through a period of global uncertainty. Here are some things to know about the election of the 267th pontiff of the Catholic Church.

Why is the conclave being held now? The conclave was called after Francis died on April 21 at age 88. There was a delay between his death and the conclave to allow time for a funeral, burial and a period of mourning. It was also necessary to give cardinals time to arrive in Rome from all corners of the Earth, and to let them get acquainted before entering the conclave, an ancient ritual steeped in mystery and ritual. What happens in a conclave? The cardinals are cut off from the world while at the Vatican, between residences and the Sistine Chapel, where they vote in secret -and in silencebeneath Michelangelo's famed ceiling fresco of the Creation and his monumental “Last Judgment.”