Cardinals prepare for entry into conclave

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.

Many Vatican observers expect the conclave to last two or three days after voting begins either this afternoon or tomorrow morning, but the ritual-filled election process to choose Pope John Paul II’s successor could last many more days or even longer.

Worshippers were invited to join the cardinals this morning in one final public ceremony in St Peter’s Basilica, following the end on Saturday of a series of Masses to mourn Pope John Paul II.