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.

Cardinals from around the world will meet under Michelangelo's frescoes in the Sistine Chapel on May 7 to elect a new leader of the Catholic Church after Pope Francis's death.Dating back to the Middle Ages -- when the idea of sovereigns being elected was somewhat revolutionary -- the gathering,

The Vatican announced that the conclave to elect a new pope will commence on May 7 in the Sistine Chapel, with only cardinals under the age of 80 eligible to vote. The decision was made after cardinals convened behind closed doors for the first time since the funeral of Pope Francis,