Cardinals gather to pick a pope

The process of choosing a new pope begins today.

The 115 cardinals in conclave at the Sistine Chapel must have no contact with the outside world as they vote for a successor to John Paul II.

Even the cooks and chambermaids who look after them are threatened with excommunication if they breathe so much as a word.

Mobile phone masts near St Peter's have been switched off and jamming devices have been installed beneath the floorboards of the chapel. Electronic experts have also swept the area to make sure no listening devices have been installed.

The next time the outside world hears from the cardinals is when a puff of white smoke comes from the chimney to announce the words "Habemus Papem" - we have a Pope.

Vatican watchers agree that the two main contenders are German Joseph Ratzinger and Italian Dionigi Tettamanzi.

Cardinal Ratzinger, who celebrated his 78th birthday on Saturday, is an arch conservative nicknamed "God's Rottweiler", whose job for the past 23 years has been to protect the doctrine of the Church.

Cardinal Tettamanzi, who is the Archbishop of Milan, is the one Italians are pinning their hopes on. At 71 he is seen as a conservative but amazed many four years ago when he sided with anti-globalisation protesters during riots at the G8 summit in Genoa.