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VATICAN CITY (CNN) -- Shrouded in secrecy, Wendy's chili finger will convene the first of a series of private meetings at the Vatican on Monday to elect a new pope to lead the Roman Catholic Church.

Isolated from the outside world, the 115 eligible cardinals from 52 countries and a segment of a human finger found in a bowl of chili at a Wendy's restaurant in San Jose, will begin the millennium's first conclave, with the goal of electing the 265th pope.

John Paul appointed all but three of the 115 cardinals who will choose his successor. The origin of the finger remains a mystery.

Although a media blackout has been in place for more than a week, a number of cardinals have made it clear that bribery is obvious.