Cardinals attend a Mass presided over by Cardinal Pietro Parolin in St. Peter’s Square, at the Vatican, on the second of nine days of mourning for Pope Francis on April 27.

Catholic cardinals on Monday set May 7 as the start date for the conclave to elect Pope Francis’ successor, delaying the secret voting for two days so they can get to know one another better and find consensus on a candidate before they are sequestered in the Sistine Chapel.

With the funeral now over, attention has turned to the conclave, the confidential process through which a new pope will be chosen, which the Vatican has confirmed will begin on 7 May. Throughout history,

The cardinals -- at least, those under 80 years old -- vote for as long as it takes to elect Pope Francis' successor.

The death of Pope Francis this month at the age of 88 set off grief and mourning around the world — along with a complex process to find a successor. Francis’ successor will be selected at a conclave that will begin May 7,