Cardinals meet to prepare for conclave

VATICAN CITY, March 4 (UPI) -- The general congregation of cardinals met Monday in Vatican City to discuss the upcoming conclave to elect Benedict XVI's successor as pope, officials said.

Cardinal Angelo Sodano, dean of the College of Cardinals, called the first of a series of meetings at the Sistine Chapel in advance of the conclave, ANSA reported.

The conclave is expected to begin either March 10 or 11 after Benedict, now pope emeritus, waived the typical 15-day waiting period after the end of a papal reign, ANSA reported.

Benedict's resignation became official Thursday.