Pope Francis has announced he will meet a group of sex abuse victims next month at the Vatican and declared "zero tolerance" for any member of the clergy who would violate a child.

A small group of demonstrators has gathered outside Boston College in protest at Taoiseach Enda Kenny's presence at the college's commencement ceremony.

By Mary Regan, Political Correspondent in Boston

Some of the leading candidates to be the next pope have held masses in Rome ahead of the start of the papal conclave on Tuesday.

POPE Benedict installed his first group of new cardinals on Friday, elevating 15 men from Hong Kong to Boston to join the exclusive Catholic group that advises him and will one day elect his successor.

POPE JOHN PAUL II named 30 new Cardinals on Sunday, including Philadelphia archbishop Justin Rigali, further putting his mark on the group that will name his successor.