Cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church announced today that a conclave will be held at the Vatican to elect a new pope following the resignation of Pope Francis. The highly anticipated gathering will bring together cardinals from around the world to choose the leader of over a billion Catholics.

The conclave, which is set to begin on May 5th, comes after Pope Francis tendered his resignation due to health issues. The upcoming election has sparked excitement among Catholics worldwide, as they await the selection of the next spiritual leader of the Church.

The selection process will be shrouded in secrecy, as cardinals will gather in the Sistine Chapel to cast their votes. According to Vatican protocol, a two-thirds majority is required to elect the new pope.

Cardinals involved in the conclave have stated that they are committed to selecting a leader who can address the challenges facing the Church in the modern world. The conclave will be closely watched by both Catholics and non-Catholics alike, as the next pope will have a significant impact on the future direction of the Church.