In a move to ensure the process of selecting a new Pope remains as secret as has been tradition, the Vatican has announced that an "electronic force field" will be created around the Conclave to halt any "electronic intrusions."

The Roman Catholic Conclave will commence in Monday afternoon after a morning Mass at St Peter’s in Rome. However, in an unprecedented step by Vatican officials the 115 participating Cardinals will not be housed in the compact area of the Apostolic Palace, but a new residence will be used at St Martha’s House.

The new system was set up but recently deceased Pope John Paul II in 1996, and included in the rules is a direction that all Cardinals are forbidden to carry electronic devices or to use equipment such as radios and televisions.

The Vatican have stated that they will ensure that security is kept at its premium – and all Cardinals will be frisked by the Papal Chamberlain, Cardinal Eduardo Martinez Somalo from Spain.

On official was reported by the Times newspaper as saying, "We live in an age of spy satellites and sophisticated directional microphones."

The Papal biographer and Vatican watcher, Adrea Tornielli said, "The secret services of various countries are extremely interested in knowing how the voting will come out and how the final choice was arrived at. The Vatican started to take preventive measures some time ago."

St Martha’s consists of 106 suites and 22 single rooms, and has been described as an air-conditioned "luxury hotel". Currently the premises are being swept for electronic spying devices.

In addition, the tradition of the votes being placed into a Chalice has been scrapped and the votes will now be submitted into a bronze urn.

Cardinals will take an oath not to reveal how they voted, and all voting papers and private notes are burnt.

Rumours have emerged among press, that sources close to the College of Cardinals have said that there appears to be no favourite or front-runner for the coming Conclave. There have been reports, however, that a "conservative-liberal" battle may emerge between the Cardinals. In particular Cardinal Ratzinger – Pope John Paul II’s close ideological enforcer, who will chair the Conclave may be pitted against the former Archbishop of Milan – who although retired and in ill-health – may be backed by the more liberal Cardinals simply to block the election of Cardinal Ratzinger.

The Conclave will commence on Monday 18th April 2005.