Conclave for new Pope begins April 18

The College of Cardinals has set April 18 to begin the conclave to elect the next Pope following the death of Pope John Paul II.

Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls said the cardinals will observe Mass on April 18 and then go on to the Sistine Chapel to start discussions.

The Pontiff Passes On

Prelates are expected to hold one ballot on the first day of a conclave.

The Cardinals on Wednesday also read John Paul's spiritual testament, a 15-page document written in his Polish over the course of his pontificate starting in 1979.

In it, the late pope did not name the mystery cardinal he created in 2003, Navarro-Valls said, ending speculation that a last-minute cardinal might join in the April 18 start of the conclave.