Successor 'impossible to predict'

THE identity of the next pope is “totally unpredictable", a Vatican expert said, adding that the timely release of the film Conclave has likely sparked the public's interest in the centuries-old process.

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Cardinals will gather to vote for Pope Francis's successor at the behind-closed-doors meeting, known as conclave, following nine days of mourning.

As the first of official mourning day begins with today's funeral, it is thought they could meet officially on May 5.

Theologian Professor Anna Rowlands said the timing of the star-studded Conclave film, released late last year, "couldn't be more powerful".