The conclave that begins next Wednesday to elect a successor for Pope Francis is the first in 46 ½ years for which the Vatican hasn't ordered a new cassock for the new head of the Catholic Church.

Jerusalem (CNN) — Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, ... He moves quickly, in long, deliberate strides, the seams of his black cassock billowing like a swimmer’s stroke ahead of his arrival.

The cassock is fastened by silk buttons and worn with a silk brocade sash with gold fringe. All popes, until Francis, had this sash later embroidered with his papal seal.

ROME (AP) — Two papal tailors and no conclave orders. The conclave that begins next Wednesday to elect a successor for Pope Francis is the first in 46 ½ years for which the Vatican hasn’t ...

The cassock is fastened by silk buttons and worn with a silk brocade sash with gold fringe. ... They had considered Argentine Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio a candidate in 2005 ...