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Roman Catholic cardinals have held a final mass at St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.
They're starting their conclave to choose a new pope.
NPR's Ruth Sherlock reports the morning mass is the final public act before the cardinals are locked inside the Sistine Chapel to cast their vote for a new pontiff.
The cardinals in blood-red robes processed up the aisle of the crowded St Peter's Basilica,
passing the bishops in their deep purple gowns and stopping briefly at the altar to pray.
White smoke from the burning frankincense curled up towards the golden cupola,
the air filled with the music from the choir as they led the congregation in prayerful song.
We are here to invoke the help of the Holy Spirit, said Cardinal Battistere in his homily,
so that the Pope elected may be he whom the Church and humanity need at this difficult and complex turning point in history.
Ruth Sherlock, NPR News, St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City.
India and Pakistan have escalated violence between them.
India has fired missiles into Pakistan,
saying this is in retaliation for a militant attack last month in Indian-controlled Kashmir province that killed 26 people.