In a pre-conclave meeting, an Italian cardinal, and backer of Cardinal Parolin as next pope, attacked Pope Francis for opening positions of responsibility in the church to men and women not in holy orders.

America’s editors on the ground in Rome discuss the latest conclave news and the work that remain for whoever is elected as Pope Francis’ successor.

Much of what you hear about who the next pope will be, spoken with enormous confidence by people in the know, is often completely contradictory.

Cardinals Rosa and Sako said they expect the conclave to be brief and last two to three days. While not revealing a name, Cardinal Sako said he already had a “very clear” idea of who he intended to vote for.

All 135 cardinals who are under the age of 80 and have not renounced the right to enter the conclave will have full voting rights.

Canon law does not give much specific direction about who can make decisions for the church during the interregnum.