Pope Francis appointed a significant number of cardinals from the Global South. Among the 135 cardinals currently eligible to vote in the papal conclave, 82 are non-European.

The conclave — where cardinals worldwide converge in Vatican City to elect a new pontiff, following Pope Francis' death — will begin May 7, per the Vatican

Roman Catholic cardinals will begin their secret conclave to elect the new leader of the global Church on May 7, the Vatican said, confirming what a source had previously told Reuters.