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.

The Catholic Church's cardinal electors are locked inside the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican to choose a successor to Pope Francis, as the 2025 papal conclave begins.