Whoever first gains the two-thirds plus one share of the vote and is named pope won't have long to think about it.

Once all the votes are counted, the dean of the College of Cardinals will ask the newly elected head of the church on the spot if he accepts the role and what he wants to be called.

While we wait to hear, we can be sure of only one thing, according to Melloni: the new pope won't be called Peter.

This is out of respect for the first St. Peter, the Apostle -- but perhaps also reflects a centuries' old prophecy that a Peter II will be the very last pope to serve.