More than 100 cardinals will be cloistered in a hotel in the Vatican today to prepare for their secret conclave at which a new pope will be chosen.
From tomorrow the cardinals will hold two balloting sessions a day until a new pope is elected.
Strict security measures are in place to ensure secrecy during the voting.
Yesterday the Catholic Church ended the official nine-day mourning period for Pope John Paul II, who died just over two weeks ago.
