Roman Catholic cardinals destroyed the late Pope John Paul's ring and seal in a symbolic end to his authority before they seclude themselves from the world to elect his successor.
At their last formal meeting before the conclave, the cardinals watched an ancient ritual marking the transition between two popes the destruction of John Paul's "Fisherman's Ring" and his lead seal, two symbols of his authority.
During John Paul's 26-year pontificate and his many foreign trips, countless pilgrims kissed the gold signet ring. The 115 cardinals participating in the conclave are under the age of 80 have the right to choose a new pope and come from 52 nations.
Starting the conclave they will swear an oath before God in Latin and then cast ballots written in the Church's official language. The cardinals will hold up to four ballots a day two in the morning and two in the afternoon until they elect the 265th pontiff in the 2,000-year history of the Church. Smoke signals above the Sistine Chapel black smoke for an indecisive vote or white for a new pope are expected at around noon and 7 p.m.
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