One hundred and thirty-three cardinals are sequestering themselves behind the Vatican’s medieval walls for the start of a conclave to elect a successor to Pope Francis.

The process to elect the 267th pope begins Wednesday as cardinals gather in the Sistine Chapel. They will decide whether to continue Pope Francis's reforms or return to traditional practices. The conclave,

Cardinals who will take part in the secret conclave to elect a new Catholic pope began checking into two Vatican hotels on Tuesday, where they will be barred from contact with the outside world as they decide who should succeed Pope Francis.