The Vatican on Monday said cardinals would meet on May 7 to commence the election of a new pope.
One hundred and thirty-five 135 cardinals from across the world will meet behind closed doors for the process at the Sistine Chapel.
Matteo Bruni, Vatican spokesman, said cardinals would attend a solemn mass at St Peter’s Basilica before those eligible to vote would proceed to the Sistine Chapel for the secretive ballot.
A new pope will poll a two-thirds majority to emerge during the election process.
This follows the demise of Pope Francis, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, on Easter Monday at the age of 88.
The late pontiff, who emerged through the same process in 2013, was buried last Saturday.
