AP - Cardinals from six continents began their secret sessions behind the massive doors of the Sistine Chapel on Monday, convening the new millennium's first conclave to elect a pope who will guide the world's 1.1 billion Roman Catholics into a new era.
AP - Iraqi security forces, backed by U.S. military, swept into a town south of Baghdad at dawn Monday but found no hostages despite reports that Sunni militants had kidnapped as many as 100 Shiites there.
AP - Passengers disembarking Monday from a cruise ship that was struck by a freak seven-story-high wave said the stormy weather that smashed windows and sent furniture flying reminded them of the Titanic.
The doors of the Sistine Chapel have been closed and the cardinals are locked inside for their secret meeting, or conclave, to select a new pope. After each vote, the ballots will be burned, with the color of smoke from the chapel's chimney announcing to observers outside whether a pope has been elected.
Stocks showed signs of stabilizing Monday morning after last week's sell-off as investors -- worried about slowing economic growth -- looked ahead to this week's slew of earnings reports.