The process to beatify Pope John Paul II opens officially today with a solemn ceremony in which all the clerics involved will take an oath of secrecy – and promise not to be corrupted by taking any money or gifts that might sway their decisions.

Catholics’ thoughts turned to who might replace their beloved pope as the cardinals, silenced by an unprecedented pledge to not reveal their thinking, prepared to meet again today to plan next week’s conclave to select a new leader to replace John Paul II.