Travellers to Rome should expect closures, visitor restrictions and crowds at some of the city’s main attractions. View on euronews

The Vatican is closing the Sistine Chapel to the public as part of its preparations for the conclave to elect the next pope after the death of Pope Francis.

Cardinals arriving for the first day of meetings after Pope Francis’ funeral were swarmed at the city-state’s gates by journalists eager for hints of whether any consensus is building around the elect

Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Filipino Cardinal Luis Tagle are considered top contenders, according to The Associated Press. Parolin, who served as Pope Francis' Secretary of State, is well-known among the cardinals. Tagle, head of the Vatican's evangelization office, is often mentioned as a potential first Asian pope.