The College of Cardinals tasked with selecting a new pope for the Roman Catholic Church begin meeting Tuesday to choose a successor to Pope Benedict
Cardinals Attend Mass Before the Conclave
![Cardinals hold their mitre hats as they attend a Mass for the election of a new pope celebrated by Cardinal Angelo Sodano inside St. Peter's Basilica, at the Vatican, March 12, 2013.](https://gdb.voanews.com/975d7cd9-988a-4fe3-8787-0f15ec28e93b_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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Cardinals hold their mitre hats as they attend a Mass for the election of a new pope celebrated by Cardinal Angelo Sodano inside St. Peter's Basilica, at the Vatican, March 12, 2013.
![A Vatican Swiss guard is seen as cardinals attend a Mass for the election of a new pope inside St. Peter's Basilica, at the Vatican, March 12, 2013.](https://gdb.voanews.com/d33edec3-d851-4f4c-9f81-b5704265cf37_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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A Vatican Swiss guard is seen as cardinals attend a Mass for the election of a new pope inside St. Peter's Basilica, at the Vatican, March 12, 2013.
![Cardinals attend a Mass for the election of a new pope inside St. Peter's Basilica, at the Vatican, March 12, 2013.](https://gdb.voanews.com/23f5732f-3bd3-4d61-9081-c5c2f8d284db_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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Cardinals attend a Mass for the election of a new pope inside St. Peter's Basilica, at the Vatican, March 12, 2013.
![Cardinals attend a Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, March 12, 2013.](https://gdb.voanews.com/14733163-f851-4d7b-8786-f3d2128f9d90_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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Cardinals attend a Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, March 12, 2013.
![Faithful follow a Mass taking place inside St.Peter's Basilica for the election of a new pope, broadcast on a giant screen, not pictured, in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, March 12, 2013.](https://gdb.voanews.com/593d43c0-b959-4e71-bd05-0fa051487b89_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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Faithful follow a Mass taking place inside St.Peter's Basilica for the election of a new pope, broadcast on a giant screen, not pictured, in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, March 12, 2013.
![Sister Veronica of the Theresian community prays in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, March 12, 2013.](https://gdb.voanews.com/ff76a4c9-87ff-4243-bf6a-48d5b44554fa_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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Sister Veronica of the Theresian community prays in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, March 12, 2013.
![A pilgrim kneels in St. Peter's Square during a mass at St. Peter's Basilica attended by cardinals before sequestering themselves in the Sistine Chapel to elect the next pope at the Vatican, March 12, 2013.](https://gdb.voanews.com/8d030b32-4b0e-4aa8-9a6d-e2c80048db7e_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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A pilgrim kneels in St. Peter's Square during a mass at St. Peter's Basilica attended by cardinals before sequestering themselves in the Sistine Chapel to elect the next pope at the Vatican, March 12, 2013.