As the Vatican switches gears from saying goodbye to Pope Francis to electing his successor, the status of a once-powerful Italian cardinal has been a constant question and source of gossip as preparations get under way for the May 7 conclave.

Cardinals arriving for the first day of meetings after Pope Francis’ funeral were swarmed at the city-state’s gates by journalists eager for hints of whether any consensus is building around the elect

The Vatican is closing the Sistine Chapel to the public as part of preparations for the conclave to elect the next pope after the death of Francis