On break from pre-conclave talks, cardinals celebrate Mass at Rome parish churches

ROME (AP) - On the seventh day, they rested. And prayed.

Cardinals preparing for next Tuesday's conclave have been meeting for six days to discuss the future of the Roman Catholic Church. Today, they took a break to celebrate Mass at what are called their "titular" churches. Those are the parish churches in Rome that they're assigned when they're appointed -- forging a symbolic bond with the pope, who's also Bishop of Rome.

Boston Cardinal Sean O'Malley, who's thought to have an outside chance of succeeding Pope Benedict XVI, worshipped at Holy Mary of Victory Church. He was introduced by a priest who said he hopes the American's next visit is as pope.

The formal pre-conclave meetings resume in the morning.