The majority of the cardinals who are to select the next leader of the Roman Catholic Church held their first pre-conclave meeting in Rome on Monday, having being summoned the previous Friday by Cardinal Angelo Sodano, dean of the College of Cardinals.

Of the 117 cardinals eligible to vote for the next pope, 107 attended the meeting on the future of the church and when to hold the conclave to select the pontiff.

While the date for the conclave is yet to be set, the cardinals reportedly hope to complete the process by the end of March, in time for the Easter celebrations.

By John Power (johh.power@heraldcorp.com)