All of the 133 cardinals expected to take part in the secret conclave to elect a new pope have arrived in Rome, the Vatican said on Monday, with the race to succeed Pope Francis seen as wide open.

Next week’s conclave to elect the successor to Pope Francis as leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics is a solemn affair steeped in centuries-old traditions. But far from the Sistine Chapel where cloistered cardinals will cast votes,

All cardinals who are eligible to elect the next head of the Catholic Church have arrived in Rome two days before the conclave begins. On Wednesday, a total of 133 Catholic dignitaries will begin the process of electing a successor to Pope Francis,