New popes are chosen through an event called the conclave, which brings together top Catholic leaders from around the world. Here’s how the process works and when the conclave could happen. A conclave is the gathering of Catholic cardinals that occurs when a new pope needs to be selected.

The world's Catholic cardinals met on Monday for the first time after the funeral of Pope Francis to discuss a possible date to enter a secret conclave and elect the next leader of the global Church.

Hundreds of thousands of mourners were gathering at the Vatican to honor the life of Pope Francis on Saturday morning. But not long after the celebration of life concludes, senior officials of the Catholic Church will meet to discuss his successor.