(ANSA) - Vatican City, March 8 - The conclave of cardinals
to elect a new pope will begin Tuesday, March 12, the Vatican
announced Friday.
The decision was made after the last of the 115
cardinal-electors arrived in Rome on Thursday.
The conclave to elect the 266th pope follows the shocking
resignation of Benedict XVI, who on February 28 became the first
pontiff to abdicate in 600 years.
On Tuesday morning, cardinals will celebrate a pre-conclave
mass known as the pro eligendo Summo Pontefice asking God to
enlighten them.
That afternoon, they will enter the Sistine Chapel for the
start of the conclave.
Some analysts predict that a new pope may emerge by the end
of the week.
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