Francis’ successor will be selected by cardinals at the conclave that began on May 7. Cardinals, known as the “princes of the church,” rank just below the pope in the Roman Catholic Church; together, they are known as the College of Cardinals. When a pope dies, the college chooses a successor.

There are 133 cardinals eligible to cast a vote for the new pope — and in order to be chosen as Pope Francis' successor, a candidate needs to have two-thirds of the vote Although the conclave is notoriously secretive,