Raniero Cantalamessa, preacher to the Pontifical Household, held the first meditation as outlined by the Apostolic Constitution, Lombardi said.

CNN: Cardinals meet Monday, could set date to elect new pope

Cardinals were now expected listen to a meditation by elderly Maltese Cardinal Prosper Grech before holding a first vote, after which their ballot papers will be burned.

BBC: Rome conclave: Cardinals begin voting for new Pope

This took transcendental meditation, which he had trademarked, to the world, with Hollywood one of the first stops.

ECONOMIST: Maharishi Mahesh Yogi

His first novel, dedicated to a British Jewish novelist, Linda Grant, is a slim but potent meditation on memory and exile.

ECONOMIST: New Arab fiction

This was very difficult for the first one or two years, but then I learned how to deal with it by practicing Zen Buddhist meditation and yoga.

CNN: 'FRUSTRATIONS ARE HIGH'

They will hear a meditation by an elderly Maltese cardinal, take an oath of secrecy, then in all probability cast their first ballots.

NPR: Cardinals Celebrate Mass Before Entering Conclave