Rather, the Catholic Church believes it is the Holy Spirit who guides the process and so the Cardinal electors are constantly in prayer and discernment to choose the next Pope.

FORBES: How Is A New Pope Elected?

While the voting for the pope is billed as secret, with each cardinal guided only by his faith in God, the process is ultimately a closed-door exercise in consensus-building that cements fidelity to the Church's new leader among the inner circle.

NPR: Arcane Process Encourages Papal Horse Trading

Archbishop Tartaglia, who said he would do his best to fulfil the cardinal's role until a new archbishop was appointed, thought the process offered a chance for the church to regroup.

BBC: Archbishop Philip Tartaglia

The Sistine Chapel, where the cardinal-electors meet for the secretive conclave, is not yet being prepared for the process, Lombardi said.

CNN: Vatican: Cardinals still to arrive in Rome

"We came into this whole process thinking: The next pope has to be vigorous and therefore probably younger, " said Cardinal George.

WSJ: How Jorge Mario Bergoglio Became Pope Francis