For nearly 180 years, papal conclaves have chosen a new pope in three to five days. In centuries past, they've taken a lot longer.

A conclave is the centuries-old election of a pope that derives its name from the Italian “con clave” (with a key) to underscore that cardinals are sequestered until they find a winner. Cardinals have no contact with the outside world after the master of liturgical ceremonies utters the words “Extra Omnes” the Latin phrase for “all out,

Some 135 cardinals, all under the age of 80 and from across the world, are eligible to take part in the conclave and decide who should be the next leader of the 1.4-billion-member

The death of Pope Francis this month at the age of 88 set off grief and mourning around the world — along with a complex process to find a successor. Francis’ successor will be selected at a conclave that will begin May 7,