THE VATICAN

The first pre-conclave meeting started in The Vatican on Monday. 
Cardinals from all around the world gathered to discuss the date of conclave and some of the major problems facing the Catholic Church ahead of the conclave to elect Benedict XVI's successor as pope.  
According to the press, conclave is expected to be held on March 9-11. 
The function of the pre-conclave sessions is to discuss core issues facing the church and for the cardinals to get to know one another better. The College of Cardinals, with 115 voting-age members, will meet for four hours a day for about a week before starting the official conclave to select the pope.