The Vatican had earlier announced that the conclave to elect the new pontiff would begin on Wednesday, May 7.

During the period, Cardinals are expected to convene in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican for the exercise.

Only cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to vote, with 135 electors expected to participate out of the total of 252 cardinals.

If the total number of electors is not evenly divisible by three, an additional vote is necessary.

The conclave will take place in the Sistine Chapel under strict secrecy, with multiple rounds of voting until a candidate receives two-thirds majority.

In a post on its official X handle on Friday, the Vatican announced that its fire brigade is currently putting up the chimney stack which will announce the election of the new Pope.