Politicking vies with piety before conclave

AN oath of secrecy. The unsealing of Papal documents. The meetings of the College of Cardinals after the death of a Pope are steeped in Vatican mystery.

Yesterday’s gatherings - two sessions over the course of 2½ hours - were the first of what will be daily meetings of cardinals. The meetings precede the election of a new Pope in a secret vote, known as a conclave, to be held later this month.

The cardinals took an oath in Latin. The official English translation: