Filed by KOSU News in World News.
March 8, 2013

Roman Catholic cardinals meeting at the Vatican are expected to vote Friday on just when to start their conclave that will lead to the selection of a successor to the now-retired Pope Benedict XVI.

NPR’s Sylvia Poggioli reports from Rome that the Vatican will likely announce the date in the early evening there, which would be early afternoon in the eastern U.S.

Reuters adds that Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi told reporters it’s “likely” the conclave will start early next week. All 115 of the cardinals who are under the age of 80 (making them eligible to vote) are now in Rome. [Copyright 2013 NPR]