Named possible date for the election of the Pope

The Conclave - the closed election of the Pope - may be convened starting from May fifth. This date is indicated by the ritual calendar approved at the meeting of cardinals, however, the final decision will be made only after the funeral, which will take place on April twenty-sixth.

This was reported by the Press Service of the Holy See.

At the congregation meeting, that is, the assembly of cardinals, on Wednesday it was established that the novendial - a nine-day mourning period for the Pope - will be observed from the day of the funeral until May fourth. The first mourning ritual will take place on the day of the funeral, then it will be held daily in St. Peter's Basilica with the participation of various representatives of the Roman Catholic Church and under the leadership of different cardinals.

At the moment, one hundred and three cardinals are participating in the congregation meetings, during which current issues of the vacant Apostolic See period are being resolved, the Press Service of the Holy See clarified. The Vatican is expecting the arrival of other hierarchs.

The College of Cardinals consists of two hundred and fifty-two princes of the church. Of these, one hundred and thirty-five cardinals with voting rights will participate in the conclave. This category includes cardinals under the age of eighty, and each of them can be considered a potential candidate for the papal throne.