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Cardinals fail to elect new Pope on first day of voting

Published:Tuesday | March 12, 2013 | 6:21 PM

Cardinals of the Catholic Church have failed to elect a new pope on their first day in the Vatican conclave.



Black smoke rising from a chimney above the Sistine Chapel indicated that their ballot had been unsuccessful.



The 115 cardinal-electors will vote four times daily until two-thirds can agree on a single candidate.



The election was prompted by the surprise retirement of Benedict XVI.



There is no clear frontrunner to take over from him as head of the Church.



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