Countdown To The Conclave

04:57

March 11, 2013

Cardinal Renato Martino walks by as workers use a crane to place a burgundy curtain around the door frame of the balcony on the front of St. Peter's Basilica on Monday, March 11, 2013, where the newly elected pope will make his first appearance to salute the cheering crowd. (Andrew Medichini/AP)

Final preparations are underway for Tuesday's conclave of cardinals that will select the new pope.

Cardinals gathered for their final day of talks Monday before the conclave to elect the next pope, amid debate over whether the Catholic Church needs more of a manager pope to clean up the Vatican or a pastoral pope who can inspire the faithful at a time of crisis.

The Holy See's finances, and particularly the work of the Vatican bank have been under the spotlight during these pre-conclave meetings as cardinals seek to investigate allegations of corruption in the Vatican administration and get to the bottom of the bank's long history of scandal and secrecy.

When the conclave begins on Tuesday, the 115 cardinals will meet in the Sistine Chapel, which is being swept for any listening devices that would violate the secrecy of the conclave.

Internet signals will also be jammed so cardinals can't leak any information.

BBC: Conclave to elect a new Pope: Interactive video
BBC: Cardinals gather for final pre-conclave discussions

The Associated Press contributed reporting to this article.

Guest:

Duncan Crawford, BBC reporter in Rome.

This segment aired on March 11, 2013.