"Italian newspapers began disclosing what they said were details of how the secret conclave of cardinals had elected Benedict as pope after only four ballots ending on Tuesday evening.  Marco Politi, the respected Vatican reporter of la Repubblica, said that a decisive moment had been when Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini, the former archbishop of Milan who reformists initially rallied around to try and block Benedict's candidacy, realized that the former German cardinal's support had become overwhelming.  Cardinal Martini then gave Benedict his blessing and asked his supporters to switch their votes to the German prelate to avoid a dangerous rift in the church."

FULL STORY at
http://www.washtimes.com/world/20050421-120604-8096r.htm