Fifteen prelates from around the world joined the elite College of Cardinals in the Vatican today, becoming the newest advisers to the Pope who one day will be called on to elect his successor.

Bishops resumed closed-door meetings today on the state of the Catholic Church after the Vatican clamped down on releasing information because some prelates had expressed concern that details of their debates been made public.

POPE Benedict XVI put his predecessor John Paul II on the fast track for sainthood yesterday.