Before the cardinals elect the new pope let us look into what goes on Inside the Secret Meals and Rituals of the Papal Conclave: What Happens as Cardinals Elect the Next Pope. As the Vatican prepares for the highly anticipated papal conclave on May 7, intrigue surrounds not only the spiritual gravity of choosing the next pope but also the centuries-old traditions that govern how cardinals live, eat, and vote during the sacred process. Following the passing of Pope Francis on April 21, 133 cardinal electors will enter the Sistine Chapel to begin one of the most secretive and consequential elections in the world.