The Vatican says about 135 Cardinals from across the world will meet from May 7 in a secret conclave to elect the next pope, following the death and burial of Pope Francis.

Vatican spokesman, Matteo Bruni, said cardinals will take part in a solemn mass at St Peter’s Basilica, after which those eligible to vote will gather in the Sistine Chapel for the secretive ballot.

A new pope requires a two-thirds majority, and that can take time.

There is no timescale as to how long it will take to elect the next pope, but the previous two conclaves, held in 2005 and 2013, lasted just two days.

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