A conclave to choose a new pope normally takes place 15 to 20 days after the death of a pontiff, meaning this conclave should not start before May 6.

Rome is in mourning as the world says goodbye to Pope Francis, a transformative leader and spiritual guide to more than a billion Catholics. His death marks the end of an era and sets in motion a series of historic religious events that will impact travel to Rome and Vatican City in the coming weeks.