White smoke may appear from May 7

Last weekend, believers, world leaders, and sympathisers bade farewell to Pope Francis in Rome.

Pope Francis passed away on Easter Monday at the age of 88. Meanwhile, the Vatican is working on his succession. The Italian news agency Ansa reports that the conclave for electing the new pope will commence next Wednesday, 7 May.

Specifically, 133 cardinals will gather from that day in the Sistine Chapel to elect the successor of Pope Francis in utmost secrecy. All 135 cardinals under the age of 80 at the time of Francis' death are allowed to participate in the papal election. Of those 135, 107 were appointed by Francis. However, two cardinals will not attend the conclave due to health problems. During this conclave, the cardinals are strictly forbidden from contacting the outside world. A candidate must get two-thirds of his colleagues' support to be elected. Voting is allowed four times a day. From then on, it's a matter of waiting for white smoke...

The ballot papers are burned after each vote, and a chemical is added after the election to turn the smoke white, indicating to the faithful at St Peter's Square that a pope has been chosen. Then we will see the white smoke and soon after hear the famous "Habemus papam".

(FVDV - Source: Ansa/HLN/Nieuwsblad - Illustration: ©Unsplash)