Pope Leads New Cardinals In Mass

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Sounding hoarse and looking tired, Pope Benedict XVI is leading 22 new “princes” of the church at Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica a day after installing them as cardinals.

Many of the men who sat before the pope Sunday in white robes will likely vote in secret conclave for Benedict’s successor after his death. Benedict, who turns 85 in April, read a long homily in a hoarse voice and appeared weary on the third day of public rituals for the new cardinals. Benedict told the 22 new members of the College of Cardinals their main task is to “bear witness to the joy of love.”

The Vatican has seen months of intrigue involving alleged corruption and apparent jockeying for power within the hierarchy.