Here is what happens after Francis' funeral: the next steps towards the Conclave

What now? What happens? When will the cardinal electors close in the Sistine Chapel to elect the new Pope? It must be made clear right away that at the moment there is no precise date. It will be defined in the coming days. According to Vatican regulations, the apostolic constitution Universi Dominici Gregis, the Conclave can begin between 15 and 20 days after the death of the Pontiff, so within a time frame of 5 to 10 May.

Pope Francis' funeral Mass marked the first day of the Novendiali in suffrage of the late Pontiff. "According to an ancient custom, for nine consecutive days special celebrations of the Eucharist are held in suffrage of the deceased Roman Pontiff, beginning with the Exequial Mass," the Office of Liturgical Celebrations explains. "Such celebrations are open to all. They do, however, provide for the participation of a different group each day, taking into account its links with the Roman Pontiff. This variety of assemblies shows, in a certain way, both the scope of the ministry of the supreme Pastor and the universality of the Church of Rome'. From 5 May the Conclave can be called, while already on Monday, 28 April, the pre-conclave meetings to design the future of the Church and begin to identify its possible successor will resume: the General Congregations with the cardinal electors, which take place every day in the Vatican in the new Synod Hall. So far four have been held, with a maximum, at the fourth (Friday 25 April), of 149 cardinals participating (out of a total of 252 electors and over-80s, all of whom were invited). As of Monday, all issues concerning both the life of the Church in the world and the procedural aspects and actual preparations for the Conclave will have to be dealt with in a stringent manner.

After Bergoglio's funeral, which took place on Saturday 26 April on the parvis of St. Peter's Basilica, the celebrations of the Novendiali in suffrage of the deceased Pope continue on the following days. The second day is Sunday 27 April, 10.30 a.m., on the parvis of the Vatican Basilica. The concelebration will be presided over by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, former Secretary of State. The third day, Monday 28 April, at 5pm, in the Vatican Basilica: the Church of Rome. The concelebration will be presided over by Cardinal Baldassare Reina, Vicar General of His Holiness for the Diocese of Rome. The fourth day: Tuesday 29 April, at 5pm, in the Vatican Basilica: the Chapters of the Papal Basilicas. The concelebration will be presided over by Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, Archpriest of St Peter's Papal Basilica in the Vatican. The fifth day: Wednesday, 30 April, 5 p.m., in the Vatican Basilica: the Papal Chapel. The concelebration will be presided over by Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, Vice Dean of the College of Cardinals. The sixth day of the Novendiali: Thursday 1st May, 5pm, in the Vatican Basilica: the Roman Curia. The concelebration will be presided over by Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church. The seventh day: Friday 2 May, at 5pm, in the Vatican Basilica: the Eastern Churches. The concelebration will be presided over by Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, former Prefect of the Dicastery for the Oriental Churches. The eighth day: Saturday 3 May, at 5pm, in the Vatican Basilica: members of Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. The concelebration will be presided over by Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, formerly Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. Finally, the ninth day: Sunday 4 May, 5 p.m., in the Vatican Basilica: the Papal Chapel. The concelebration will be presided over by Cardinal Dominique Mamberti, Protodeacon of the College of Cardinals.

From 5 May it will be possible to open the conclave for the election of the new pontiff. The date will be decided in the Congregations. The Conclave that will convene will be the most international ever, with cardinals from every corner of the world, less Eurocentric and with an eye to the peripheries. In total, the cardinals who have the right to vote - and therefore under the age of 80 - are 135 (out of the total 252). Of these, 80% - that is, 108 - were appointed by Pope Francis, 22 by Benedict XVI and now only five by Wojtyla.