HOLY MISSION
Mysterious papal conclave is announced: Top Catholics to flock to hallowed Sistine Chapel to choose Francis’ replacement
Around 135 cardinals are eligible to take part in the secretive election
CARDINALS will gather for a papal conclave to elect Pope Francis' successor on May 7, the Vatican has announced.
It comes following the late pontiff's funeral on Saturday, which was attended by thousands of mourners from across the world.
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Around 135 cardinals are eligible to take part in the secretive election that will determine the spiritual leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics.
Cardinals who are under the age of 80 are allowed to vote in the conclave.
They will travel to Rome from all over the world to participate in the ceremonies.
The process for choosing the next Pope is centuries old, and voting will be held in the Sistine Chapel.
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While the process of choosing Francis' successor is highly secretive, several cardinals have been identified as possible top contenders.
They include Italy's Pietro Parolin, the Philippines' Luis Antonio Tagle, Hungary's Peter Erdo and Ghana's Peter Turkson.
What is a conclave?
Conclave is a centuries-old tradition in the Catholic Church, serving as the process through which a new Pope is elected.
Cardinals from all over the world will gather in the Vatican to choose the next pontiff whenever the incumbent dies or resigns.
They will vote in a series of ballots held in the Sistine Chapel, not leaving until the new Pope has been chosen.
After each round of voting, their ballots will be burned and smoke will rise over the Vatican.
Black smoke means no one has reached the two-thirds majority needed to be elected Pope.
But if white smoke emerges, then the new pontiff's identity will soon be revealed to the world.
Cardinals are traditionally locked inside until a decision has been reached.
They will cast secret ballots in a series of voting rounds until one of them has received the required two-thirds majority to win.
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One round of voting will take place on the conclave's first afternoon, but cardinals will vote as many as four times a day after this.
They can pause for a day of prayer if no decision is reached after the third day of the conclave.
Following this, they can break after every seven rounds of voting.
A run-off between the two most voted-for candidates will be held if no Pope is elected after 33 rounds.
However, they must still reach the requisite two-thirds majority.
But both of the most recent conclaves in 2005 and 2013 saw a Pope elected after four and five rounds respectively.
After each round of voting, the ballots will be burned in the stove at the Sistine Chapel.
Black smoke emerging from the chimney is used to signal that no decision has been made that round.
Once a new Pope has been chosen, white smoke will rise instead.
Whoever is chosen will be asked by the Cardinal Dean if they accept the papacy - and what name they will adopt as Pope.
The name will usually be chosen in honour of a saint of previous Pope.
Francis, who was called Jorge Mario Bergoglio before he became Pope, picked his name after Saint Francis of Assisi.
The date of the conclave falls within the traditional 15-20 day window following the passing of a Pope.
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Pope Francis died last Monday aged 88, just hours after his final public appearance on Easter Sunday.
He was elected Pope in 2013 after the resignation of Benedict XVI.
More to follow... For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online
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