Vatican Announces Timeline for Electing New Pope - kcentv.com - KCEN HD - Waco, Temple, and Killeen

(KCEN) -- A timeframe has now been set for Cardinals to meet and select a new Pope.

The Vatican announced that the conclave to decide the successor to Pope Benedict will start as early as March 15.

A spokesman for the Catholic church said that the conclave will start between 15 and 20 days from when the papal seat is vacated on February 28.

In time-honored fashion, the Cardinals will meet in secrecy announcing the verdict of each vote with black or white smoke.

Black smoke means another vote, white smoke means a new Pope has been selected.