Official Period of Mourning for Pope Ends as Conclave Approaches

The official nine-day mourning that commenced at the Pope's funeral will end with a Mass given at St. Peter's Basilica by Chilean Cardinal Jorge Arturo Medina Estevez on Saturday afternoon.

In the final meeting held on Saturday, Cardinals discussed problems of the Church, including financial and administrative matters, the Vatican generally informed. This was the last meeting before the Conclave will commence.

The Conclave will begin on Monday and all people that will have access to the Cardinals during this time swore an oath on Friday, promising never to reveal the details of the politicking and infighting behind the process unless the pontiff himself authorises it.

A strict security policy was set up - the use of any audio or video equipment during the secret ballot may result in the offender being excommunication.

"I will observe absolute and perpetual secrecy with all who are not part of the College of Cardinal electors concerning all matters directly or indirectly related to the ballots cast and their scrutiny for the election of the Supreme Pontiff," they intoned.

The Cardinals - the "princes" of the Roman Catholic Church will hold two balloting sessions a day - each with two votes.

If no candidate gains a majority, ballots are burnt with an additive to produce black smoke. When the decision is made, ballots are burnt with additive to produce a new white smoke. The chimney that will announce and signal to the world that a new Pope has been elected has already been erected. The rust-coloured pipe was fixed to the roof of the Sistine Chapel days before Cardinals are shut in for the Conclave to choose John Paul II's successor.

Since the smoke may be difficult to see, the Vatican have announced the decision to signal the election of the new pontiff with the bells of St. Peter's basilica as well as the traditional smoke.