Cardinals still to set date for conclave

The College of Cardinals met for a second day of talks today to prepare for the conclave to elect a successor to Pope John Paul as tens of thousands of mourners streamed past the late pontiff’s crimson-robed body as it lay in state in St Peter’s Basilica.

Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls said after the meeting concluded that the cardinals hadn’t yet decided on a date for the conclave, which according to church law must occur between 15 and 20 days after the death of a pope.