Manila, April 22 -- Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) President Pablo Virgilio Cardinal David on Tuesday clarified that there are no specific candidates in the conclave to be held following the passing of Pope Francis.

David said the method of choosing the new leader of the Catholic Church is different from that of government politics.

"There is no candidate in the conclave, please do not project our concept of elections like the elections we have been accustomed to in our government," he said in an interview over Church-run Radio Veritas.

David said the search for the next pope cannot be considered an election but a "retreat" for the Cardinal Electors because it is a time of sincere prayers and reflection with the...