Tens of thousands gathered at St Peters Square at the Vatican on Tuesday for the installation Mass of Pope Francis who officially began his ministry as the 266th pope.
Only 117 of the total of 206 Cardinals of the Universal Catholic Church will be eligible to vote in the conclave to elect the 266th successor of St Peter as they are below the age of 80 years, Deputy Secretary General and Spokesman of the Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council Fr Stephen Alathara said.