This comes after Pope Francis, the church's 266th pontiff, died last month, from a stroke that resulted in a coma and heart failure. Voting during the Papal conclave takes place in the Sistine Chapel and is conducted by secret ballot, with 133 cardinals beginning the process with the traditional Holy Mass for the Election of the Pope.

Secretary General of the Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference, Father Hugh O'Connor, says the leaders will vote for some who exhibits righteousness.

“The church is looking for someone who exhibits holiness, a closeness to God, both spiritually and also in their daily lives. One is not looking for absolute perfection because nobody is perfect. We're looking for a person who has leadership abilities, somebody who is able to speak, as they say, truth to power, both in the church as well as in the world. Somebody who's able to speak up for the voiceless. Somebody who exemplifies the qualities of a good human being,” O'Connor said.

---SABC---