The death of Pope Francis this month at the age of 88 set off grief and mourning around the world — along with a complex process to find a successor.
How is a new pope chosen?
Francis’ successor will be selected at a conclave that will begin May 7, the Vatican announced on Monday.
Cardinals, known as the “princes of the church,” rank just below the pope in the Roman Catholic Church; together, they are known as the College of Cardinals. When a pope dies, the college chooses a successor.
There are currently 252 cardinals. Only those under age 80 are eligible to vote, and there are 135 of them.
After Francis’ death, the dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, who is 91, summoned all cardinals to Rome.