The process to elect a successor to Pope Benedict XVI, who abdicated the papacy last week after leading the 1.2-billion-strong Roman Catholic Church for eight years, began when the Church's cardinals around the world gathered at the Vatican on Monday, reports said.
The College of Cardinals will hold daily talks leading up to a conclave at which a new Pope will be chosen. College of Cardinals dean Angelo Sodano is heading Monday's first pre-conclave meeting.
Benedict resigned on February 28, the first Pontiff to do so in 600 years, on health grounds.
The conclave to be held in the Sistine Chapel is expected to take place next week after the arrival of all the 115 cardinals involved in the selection process. Cardinals under the age of 80 will take part in the conclave and they are expected to choose a new Pope before the beginning of the Holy Week, the report said.
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