Over the years any number of things have helped the billionaire mogul and three-time premier Silvio Berlusconi avoid serious convictions. The statute of limitations, the glacial speed of Italian justice and Mr Berlusconi’s own self-serving law changes are obvious examples.

Failure to reach decision comes as no surprise in absence of frontrunner among the 115 cardinals

Even the Mafia is not immune to the lingering recession, according to new reports that suggest a merciless spending review is causing serious discontent in Sicily’s Cosa Nostra.

A day ahead of the papal conclave, faces at the scandal-struck Vatican were even redder than usual after it emerged that the Holy See had purchased a €23 million (£21 million) share of a Rome apartment block that houses Europe’s biggest gay sauna.

Harrowing descriptions of how the 32 victims of the Costa Concordia disaster met their deaths have been presented to an Italian judge.

The political chaos in Italy has worsened as Beppe Grillo, the leader of the Five Star Movement, dismissed calls for pragmatism and said his protest party should form the next government.

Latest: 85-year-old pontiff is currently being flown to the papal retreat at Castel Gandolfo

All the newly elected Five Star MPs have in common is lack of experience

Berlusconi group may have scuppered Bersani coalition’s chances of crucial Senate majority

As polling stations go, it would be hard to top the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel for sheer splendour, and in as little as two weeks’ time the celebrated site of Michelangelo’s Last Judgement will host the conclave of cardinals that  chooses the successor to Pope Benedict XVI.