First steps toward new Pope: Cardinals to meet Tuesday, conclave still ahead

The first meeting of cardinals following the death of Pope Francis will take place on Tuesday, but this will not yet be the conclave.

Report informs, citing the Vatican, that according to the rules for electing the pontiff, the conclave must begin no later than 20 days after his death. Only cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to vote, and a candidate must receive two-thirds of the votes.

A total of 252 cardinals will take part in the election of the new Pope, 137 of whom will be eligible to vote.