Following the funeral of Pope Francis on April 21, 2023, Roman Catholic cardinals will gather in a conclave starting May 7 to elect a new pope. Approximately 135 eligible cardinals, including many chosen by Francis from lesser-represented regions, will participate. This conclave may take longer than previous ones due to the lack of familiarity among many cardinals. The Sistine Chapel has been closed to tourists for preparations, emphasizing the significance of this event for the 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide.
The cardinals appointed by Francis had never met one another before, which could extend the conclave's duration due to the need for discussions and consensus-building.
The earliest the conclave could have begun was 6 May. Starting it a day later allows cardinals more time for general discussions ahead of the momentous ballot.
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