Cardinals prepare to choose next Pope

Cardinals began “an intense period of silence and prayer” in the Vatican before their conclave to choose the next pope, saying they will stop speaking publicly to protect the strict secrecy surrounding the centuries-old tradition.

The throngs of pilgrims who attended Pope John Paul II’s Friday funeral flowed out of Rome, leaving just a few scattered pockets of tourists today in a quiet, rainy St. Peter’s Square, some gazing forlornly up at the window where the pope traditionally appeared to greet the faithful.