Cardinals prepare to elect a new pope

{{Roman Catholic cardinals gather under the gaze of Michelangelo’s “Last Judgment” on Tuesday to elect a new pope to tackle the daunting problems facing the 1.2-billion-member Church at one of the most difficult periods in its history.}}

The 115 cardinal electors aged under 80 began moving early on Tuesday into the Vatican’s Santa Martha hotel, where they will live during the conclave, which starts in the afternoon.

Under an early morning drizzle and to the applause and waves of seminarians, eight of the 11 American cardinal electors left the North American College seminary in a minibus bound for the Vatican to join the other three who already live in Rome.

All cardinals, including those over 80, were due to celebrate a morning Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica to pray for guidance in their choice of the man to succeed Pope Benedict, who abdicated last month saying he was not strong enough to confront the Church’s woes.

The cardinal electors have drawn lots for the rooms and suites in Santa Martha, a modern residence which is being used only for the second time to house conclave participants. The first time was in 2005.

The secret conclave, steeped in ritual and prayer, could carry on for several days, with no clear favorite in sight.

In a process dating back to medieval times, the “Princes of the Church” from 48 countries will shut themselves in the Vatican’s frescoed Sistine Chapel.

{wirestory}