The goal, therefore, is to draw more international tourists to Italy, and attract them to parts of the country other than the "art cities, " especially Rome, Venice and Florence, which account for as many overnight stays as all of Italy's beach and mountain towns combined.

WSJ: Italy to Outline Plan to Revive Tourism

His resignation and the recent damage to the Church's reputation make the choice of the cardinal-electors especially hard to predict, the BBC's James Robbins in Rome says.

BBC: Rome conclave: Cardinals begin voting for new Pope

Pope Benedict's resignation and the recent damage to the Church's reputation make the choice of the cardinal-electors especially hard to predict, the BBC's James Robbins in Rome says.

BBC: Rome conclave: Cardinals fail to elect pope in first vote

To protect Jesus with Mary, to protect the whole of creation, to protect each person, especially the poorest, to protect ourselves: this is a service that the Bishop of Rome is called to carry out, yet one to which all of us are called, so that the star of hope will shine brightly.

CNN: Text of Pope Francis' homily