Papal conclave officially begins with morning prayer at Saint Peter's Basilica | DW News

The College of Cardinals has begun morning prayer at Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome as they prepare for the task of selecting a new leader for the Catholic church. Bells rang and church faithful began gathering at the colonnaded square in front of the vast church in anticipation of the historic event. Pope Francis left his mark on many aspects of the church. That is perhaps most evident now, as he appointed roughly 80% of those cardinals who will elect his successor. That is unique enough, but more striking is the make-up of those electors. This College of Cardinals is the most geographically and racially diverse ever assembled. Francis, the first Latin American pontiff, was keenly aware of the need for agency among the broader congregation of the global church. This conclave is the first in the history of the Catholic Church in which Europeans make up less than half of electors. Though most cardinals gathered are from Italy (17), followed by the US (10) and Brazil (7), Francis appointed 163 new cardinals from more than 70 countries during his time at the Holy See, many who had never been represented in the College of Cardinals. Though he appointed Latin American and Scandinavian cardinals, the greatest number of appointments came from Africa and Asia.

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