Cardinals electing the new pope will be looking for a charismatic but tenacious man capable of reuniting a fractious Church, stamping down on scandals, and reigniting faith among the young.

THE sight of Pope Benedict XVI tweeting on an iPad reveals a transformation underway in the tradition-bound Vatican to reach a younger global audience and improve a scandal-tainted image.

CARDINALS had a few last hours to confer with aides or pray with the faithful before required check-in at a top-security hotel in Vatican City yesterday, a day before they were to be sequestered in secret sessions in the Sistine Chapel to elect the next Pope.

Cardinals enjoyed the few last hours today to confer with aides or pray with faithful before they were required to check-in at a top-security hotel in Vatican City, where they will be sequestered in secret sessions in the Sistine Chapel to elect the next pope.

Pope John Paul II has cut back his participation in Good Friday and other Holy Week ceremonies.