Cardinals set date for electing new Pope

The College of Cardinals today set April 18 as the date for the historic start of the conclave to elect a successor to Pope John Paul.

The decision was made as the Vatican made final arrangements for the funeral that is expected to draw millions of pilgrims and world leaders to Rome.

Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls said the cardinals had read John Paul’s spiritual testament during a pre-conclave meeting today.

In it, the late Pope did not name the mystery cardinal he created in 2003, the spokesman said, ending speculation that a last-minute cardinal might join the conclave.