Cardinals begin pre-conclave talks on electing pope in Vatican

Catholic cardinals yesterday pressed for more information about the "Vatileaks" scandal as a series of meetings got under way to prepare for a conclave to elect a new pontiff after Pope Benedict's sudden resignation.

Even before the discussions began, the first day was overshadowed by revelations of another scandal, with Scottish Cardinal Keith O'Brien admitting that he had engaged in sexual misconduct not befitting a priest, archbishop or a person of his position.

Sex scandals will be among the problems that Pope Benedict's successor will have to confront, but a more pressing challenge will be tackling the stories of corruption and intrigue that have emerged after the leaking of hundreds of confidential papal documents over the past year.

"If we're going to make a good decision, I'm sure we'll have to have some information on that," South African Cardinal Wilfrid Napier said on the sidelines of the closed-door meetings.

Asked whether there would have to be a reform of the Roman Curia, the central government of the Catholic Church, Napier said: "That naturally is going to come into the picture as well."

French Cardinal Philippe Barbarin said: "We want to know what's going on inside the Vatican, which has been a bit knocked about in recent years."

Hundreds of confidential papal documents alleging instances of corruption and intrigue in the administration of the Vatican were leaked to the press last year, causing huge embarrassment.

Pope Benedict's personal butler was convicted in the case, but some Vatican watchers say there may have been a wider conspiracy, and an inquiry by three cardinals into the affair has been kept secret.