Conclave expected to start early next week -Vatican

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Roman Catholic cardinals will vote later on Friday on when to start a conclave to elect a successor to Pope Benedict, the Vatican said, adding that the balloting would most likely begin early next week.

Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi said a decision was expected for after 7 p.m. (6 p.m. British Time) at the end of an afternoon session of preliminary meetings known as "general congregations".