Cardinals in Rome begin talks of electing the next Pope

Roman Catholic cardinals from around the world have gathered in Rome to begin the process of electing the next Pope

The Vatican said 101 of the 115 cardinals involved in the conclave have arrived in Rome. A further 12 are due to arrive either today or tomorrow, while 2 are not attending -
UK's Cardinal Keith O'Brien, who is standing down amid allegations of improper behaviourand
Indonesia's Julius Darmaatmadja, who is ill.

Cardinals held prayers and swore oaths of secrecy at their first meeting, held by the College of Cardinals.

There will be a series of daily meetings leading up to a conclave, expected to begin next week, in which a new Pope will be chosen


Note
Pope Benedict XVI stepped down last week and was the first pontiff to resign in 600 years, after nearly 8 years in office leading the world's 1.2 billion Roman Catholics.