Conclave to elect a new pope will start on May 7 as cardinals get to know one another

The Vatican says the conclave to elect a successor to Pope Francis will begin on May 7. The date was chief on the agenda of cardinals holding informal meetings Monday to work out church business following the April 21 death of Pope Francis. They held off on announcing the opening of the conclave until after his funeral on Saturday. The Vatican said more than 180 participated in the fifth informal meeting in Rome. A smaller group of 135, known as the College of Cardinals, is eligible to elect a new pope.