Cardinals will gather for the papal conclave starting May 7 to elect a new head of the Catholic Church after Pope Francis's death. The conclave will not be held before May 7 due to necessary preparations.
Key Points
Cardinals will gather for the papal conclave starting May 7
The conclave will not be held before May 7 due to necessary preparations
The conclave is a tradition that began in 1268 with a papal election lasting almost three years
Pros
Maintains the centuries-old tradition of electing a new head of the Catholic Church
Provides insight into the selection process of a new pope
Cons
Uncertainty surrounding the selection of the new pope