US cardinals Daniel Nicolas DiNardo (L) and George Eugene Francis for a meeting of pre-conclave on March 9, 2013 at the Vatican. The conclave of 115 "cardinal electors" will begin on March 12 under Michelangelo's famous frescoes of the Sistine chapel to choose the 266th pope following the abrupt end to Benedict's eight-year papacy which was often overshadowed by scandals. AFP PHOTO / FILIPPO MONTEFORTE