When is a new Pope selected? What to know about the conclave?

The death of Pope Francis this month at the age of 88 triggered grief and grief all over the world – together with a complex process to find a successor.

How is a new Pope selected?

Francis' successor will be selected in a implied that begins on May 7, the Vatican announced on Monday.

Cardinals, known as the “Prince of the Church”, rank directly under the Pope in the Roman Catholic Church; Together they are known as College of Cardinals. When a Pope dies, the college will choose a successor.

There are currently 252 cardinals. Only those under the age of 80 are entitled to vote and there are 135 of them.

After the death of Francis' Dean of the College of Cardinale, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, who is 91 years old, all cardinals called to Rome.