After a five day closed-door debate, the pre-conclave meeting of cardinals voted that the Conclave to elect the next pope will begin Tuesday, March 12, the Vatican said in a statement Friday. The vote follows Benedict XVI's surprise abdication last month after an eight-year reign.

A total of 115 cardinals - all under the age of 80 - will take part in the elaborate ritual, which continues until one man receives a two-thirds majority, or 77 votes.

No clear frontrunner for the job has emerged since Pope Benedict announced last month that he intended to step down.

On the eve of the event, the cardinals are expected to move into a special residence within the walls of the Vatican, where they will be cut off from the world for the secret voting process.

On the morning of March 12 cardinals will hold mass in Saint Peter's Basilica and then start their secluded assembly in the Sistine Chapel in the afternoon, a statement said.

The cardinals are likely to hold just one ballot on the first day. Benedict was elected in less than 24 hours in 2005. However, his predecessor, John Paul II, was chosen after three days.

hc/dr (Reuters, AFP, AP)