The Vatican’s cardinals’ assembly, known as the General Congregation, has chosen May 7 as the starting date for the highly secretive election that will choose the next pope, the Holy See said on Monday.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) – The 135 cardinals eligible to elect the next pope will enter the Sistine Chapel to begin the conclave May 7, the Vatican announced. The cardinals will first celebrate the “Mass for the Election of the Roman Pontiff ” in St. Peter’s Basilica that morning before processing into the Sistine Chapel that evening.

The Holy See Press Office announced on Monday that the conclave to elect a new Pope will begin on May 7. “The Cardinals present in Rome made the decision on Monday at their fifth General Congregation.