The election of the next Pope is due to begin next week.
On Monday, April 28, Cardinals in Rome, Italy have agreed to start the conclave for the selection of the next leader of the Catholic church next Tuesday, May 7.
The schedule coincides with the end of the Novemdiales or the nine-day period of mourning over the death of Pope Francis, which began last Saturday, April 26.
The next conclave will happen at the Sistine Chapel, which is expected to be closed to the public while the solemn process is ongoing.
According to the Vatican News, the conclave will be preceded by a solemn Eucharistic celebration with the votive Mass Pro Eligendo Papa, attended by the Cardinal electors.
The Cardinal electors will then make their procession to the Sistine Chapel from Casa Santa Mafta.
At the end of the procession inside the Sistine Chapel, each Cardinal elector will then have to take the oath as prescribed in paragraph 53 of the Universi Dominici Gregis.
The Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations will then proclaim extra omnes, with individuals not part of the Conclave required to leave the Sistine Chapel.
Throughout the selection process, members of the College of Cardinals are not allowed to send communication or engage in conversations, which are only reserved for extremely urgent scenarios.
They are also forbidden to receive print materials, and tune into radio and television broadcasts.
With the first day due to begin in the afternoon of the first day, there will be only one ballot. However, in the following days, there shall be four ballots held throughout the day.
At least two-thirds majority of the electors being present is required to validly elect the next Pope.
After the votes are counted, all ballots are burned. Black smoke would mean nothing conclusive has been reached yet, but the awaited white smoke spells a new era in the Catholic church.
Three Filipino cardinals are also said to be part of the College, led by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Cardinal Jose F. Advincula, and Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David.