The College of Cardinals have set April 18th as the date for the historic start of the conclave to elect a successor to Pope John Paul II.
The decision was made as the Vatican made final arrangements for the funeral that is expected to draw millions of pilgrims and world leaders to Rome.
Cardinal Godfried Danneels
Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls said the cardinals had read John Paul's spiritual testament during a pre-conclave meeting today.
In it, the late pope did not name the mystery cardinal he created in 2003, the spokesman said, ending speculation that a last-minute cardinal might join the conclave.
The spokesman said the will, which the Pope had written the will over the course of his pontificate, starting in 1979, the year after his election, would be released to the public tomorrow.
Meanwhile, authorities in Rome are preparing a massive security plan to protect the 200 world leaders expected at Pope John Paul II's funeral in Vatican City on Friday. Over 1 million pilgrims have already seen the Pope's body lying in state and an estimated 5 million are expected in the city by Friday.
Preparations are already at an advanced stage with chairs already laid out in St. Peter's Square which will seat US President George W. Bush near President Mohammad Khatami of Iran, one of the countries Bush included in his "axis of evil".
Taiwanese officials said President Chen Shui-bian also plans to attend the funeral. It would be a diplomatic breakthrough for the island viewed by China as a breakaway province if Chen can go to the Vatican, Taiwan's only diplomatic foothold in Europe.
About 2 million pilgrims are expected at the funeral itself but some say 4 million will flood to Rome for the three-hour Mass.
Busloads are already on their way from the Pope's native Poland. Ships and planes are bringing in many more. Huge fields on the outskirts of Rome have been filled with tents to house those who cannot find or afford a hotel.
"He always wanted to connect with the people as a good pastor," said Cardinal Roger Mahony, archbishop of Los Angeles. "(Now) the flock is coming to see the pastor."
Rome is drafting in extra police, a surveillance plane and anti-aircraft missiles. As of tomorrow, no planes will be allowed to fly over the Italian capital.
For all the emotional outpouring in Rome, many criticise the Pope for his intransigent stance on issues from celibacy to contraception, from homosexuality to women's role in the Church.
Those are just some of the topics cardinals will consider as they look at the state of the Church and the challenges ahead when they meet to decide who next to sit on St. Peter's throne.
"There are good things in modernity and we have to adapt to them. There are others which I find not as good," said Cardinal Godfried Danneels, seen as a possible future pope.
"The Church doesn't need to follow the path of modernity exactly because modernity is also starting to question itself."
A Vatican spokesman said John Paul's will could be opened when cardinals meet today but ruled out the possibility of his body - or parts of it - being buried in Poland.