Catholic cardinals entering a conclave on Wednesday to pick a new pope do not yet have a clear idea of who will emerge as Pope Francis' successor, several said, and speeches by individual clerics in meetings this week may be decisive.

All of the 133 cardinals expected to take part in the secret conclave to elect a new pope have arrived in Rome, the Vatican said on Monday, with the race to succeed Pope Francis seen as wide open. The conclave will start behind the closed,

President Donald Trump posted an AI-generated image of himself dressed as the pope. The post has since received criticism from some members of the Catholic community.

"We’ve lost great respect for moments like this," said one archbishop of the imagery shared by Trump and the White House days after Pope Francis’ death.

An image of President Trump as the pope is eliciting rebukes as the Catholic Church remains in mourning after the death of Francis and prepares to select the next pontiff.