Two cardinals, who have the right to participate in the upcoming conclave, will not be attending. The meeting, which will conclude only when white smoke rises over the Vatican to indicate the selection of Pope Francis' successor,

The ancient process for selecting a new leader for the Catholic Church is shrouded in secrecy, but a look at the people who will be making the decision may offer some clues into how they'll vote.

VATICAN CITY (AP) — 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.