As the funeral of Pope John Paul II ended yesterday afternoon, more business was being carried out at the Vatican City. A 9-day period of spiritual mourning has already began, which will be marked with a daily mass. In addition, the College of Cardinals now faces the difficult task of choosing the successor to John Paul II in a conclave that has been set on 18th April.

The 117 cardinals - all younger than 80 - will attend the conclave. In the days before the conclave begins, it is very likely that the cardinals will begin to conduct quiet research into who they think would make the best leader for the church.

There has been much speculation surrounding the next Pope, however, it is too early to determine who the next pope may be.

Italian newspapers reported that Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, the dean of the College of Cardinals, suggested they keep silent to avoid speculation. "It is a time for spiritual reflection and special prayer," said Cardinal Justin Rigali, the archbishop of Philadelphia.

The conclave will allow the Cardinals to vote in a top secret environment where they are not allowed any contact with the outside world until an agreement is reached. The word "conclave" literally indicates they are locked up "with a key".

The election process usually lasts at least a number of days, an optional single ballot can be cast on the first day afternoon, and from the next day onwards two ballots will be taken - one in the early morning and another in the afternoon.

The ballots are then counted. The ballots will be burned giving off smoke that outsiders can see and which burns black to white when the new pope has been chosen. The process will continue until one candidate had been given the two-thirds majority to be elected as the next Pope.

Currently, the College of Cardinals are to meet as a body every morning, as they have since the pope's death, to conduct church business.

John Paul II’s pro-life and pro-family views were a very strong force to counteract the deteriorating moral and social values in the modern era. John Paul II as his time as pope also made historical breakthroughs in opening up ecumenical dialogue between Christian denominations, Jews and Muslims.