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,

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.

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.