Cardinals from all over the world will gather in conclave on Wednesday to elect a successor to Pope Francis. There were 135 cardinal electors when Pope Francis died, but two are not attending the conclave,

The conclave to select the next pope has begun after Catholic cardinals from across the world filed into the Sistine Chapel Wednesday before sealing themselves inside.

As Catholic cardinals gather for a conclave to elect the next pope, we must all ask: Why are they all wearing red yarmulkes?

Catholic cardinals gather and sequester themselves in the Vatican for the start of a conclave to elect a new pope.

While the cardinals are known to wear their scarlet red attire, some individuals involved in conclave proceedings were seen in black and purple vestments. Colors often represent the different ranks of the Catholic Church. The pope is usually dressed in white, while cardinals are dressed in scarlet robes.

Cardinal Daniel DiNardo led the Sioux City diocese as bishop for six years during the early 2000s. The 75-year-old is participating in his second conclave after being an elector during the 2013 papal conclave that selected Pope Francis, who died last month at the age of 88.

Catholic cardinals will sequester themselves Wednesday behind the Vatican’s medieval walls for the start of a conclave to elect the 267th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church.

Regina Bethencourt was leaving the Saint Rita Parish Center Preschool in Alexandria with her 4-year-old daughter when she started to watch the first remarks by Pope Leo XIV. “Th