By Elisabetta Povoledo Jason Horowitz and Emma Bubola Reporting from Rome and Vatican City The death of Pope Francis last month at the age of 88 set off grief and mourning around the world — along with a complex process to find a successor.

The Sistine Chapel has been decked out to host a papal election as cardinals from around the globe moved into a Vatican guest house before the conclave to choose Pope Francis’ successor. The magnificence of Michelangelo’s ceiling frescoes now vaults above more mundane rows of stackable chairs and desks marked with simple place-settings listing the surnames of the cardinal electors.

A papal conclave is set to begin in Vatican City starting May 7, during which cardinals from around the world will elect the next leader of the Roman Catholic church. The tradition occurs any time a pope dies or resigns from the office. Pope Francis died April 21, the day after Easter.