Early in the morning the new Pope slipped out of Vatican City in a motorcade of unmarked vehicles accompanied only by a handful of close aides to pray in a Roman Basilica.

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Peter's Basilica, where they celebrated a Mass "for electing the Roman pontiff, " a ceremony that sets the tone for cardinals voting in the conclave.

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The Roman Catholic Church leader spoke at a Mass in the Vatican, then greeted a crowd outside St Peter's Basilica.

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