On Wednesday, May 7, the doors of the Apostolic Palace swung open.
Enter 133 cardinals, representatives from 71 countries, their shoulders carrying a heavy responsibility entrusted to them by more than one billion followers - electing and pronouncing the new leader of the world's largest religion.
The first step towards the conclave had begun.
With Pope Francis' burial rites done, the world's focus is now on the Sistine Chapel, where the 133 cardinals are locked up to choose the 267th Pope of the Catholic Church.
