With both of these offices to be filled in the future, their significance cannot be understated.
Giovanni Battista Montini was one of the Catholic Church's protagonists in the 20th century. He was number three of the Vatican under Pius XII; later he was Archbishop of Milan and then pope for 15 years. Pope Francis recently declare him a saint.
Conversion, fasting and prayer are the essentials during these 40 days of preparation.