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.

The papal conclave to replace Pope Francis will begin Wednesday, May 7, the Vatican said on Monday. Cardinals will convene at the Vatican to begin a process of choosing a new pope, who will become the Catholic Church's 267th leader.