Pre-Conclave Meetings Continue At Vatican City

Cardinals resumed pre-conclave meetings Wednesday to determine the guidelines on how to choose the next pope.

The discussions are designed to allow the cardinals to get to know each other, while sketching a profile of the next pope and discussing the needs of the Catholic church.

"I don't think they are able to announce the beginning of the conclave until they have a sense that the business is coming to an end," Justin Cardinal Rigali told reporters.

"But, I think that - certainly my impression, and I think many cardinals would agree with me - that all of us are, we certainly don't want to delay this in any way."

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI remains at the papal residence at Castel Gandolfo while cardinals pick his successor.

The cardinals are hoping to have a new pope in place by holy week.

The conclave cannot begin until all voting age cardinals arrive. As of Wednesday, 113 of the 115 were in attendance.

A Vatican spokesman says they are confident the remaining cardinals will arrive in the coming days.

As for learning more about the process, some of the cardinals have opted to remain quiet. The 11 American cardinals canceled their daily interviews and press briefings Wednesday, citing a recent leak about the secret proceedings to an Italian newspaper.

Under church law, the cardinals have until March 20 to start a conclave, however, they can decide to start it earlier.

FOX 29's Iain Page will be in Rome next week to bring you coverage of this historic event. We'll take you behind the scenes and cover all the angles of selecting a new pope on FOX 29 News.