News

What exactly is the conclave? Here's what to know about how the next pope is elected
Simply put, a conclave is the assembly of cardinals that elects a pope. The word itself comes from the Latin "com" and ...
No pope named as black smoke rises on papal conclave's first day: May 7 recap
Multiple rounds of voting likely will be required before a candidate emerges with the two-thirds majority required to become ...
A short history of weird papal conclaves, from open bribery to riots
Papal conclaves have featured calls of election fraud and bribery so gauche that riches were wheeled in on donkey carts.
2025 papal conclave begins at Vatican, with black smoke indicating no new pope chosen in first vote
The Catholic Church's cardinal electors entered the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican to choose a successor to Pope Francis, as ...
Black smoke pours from Sistine Chapel chimney, indicating no pope was elected as conclave opens
One hundred and thirty-three cardinals are beginning centuries-old rituals to elect a successor to Pope Francis.
Who will be the new pope? Clock ticking down toward historic conclave
Over 130 voting cardinals must decide whether to continue in the direction of Francis or elect a pope likely to choose a more ...
With ceremony and secrecy, the conclave for a new pope begins
As the conclave gets underway, eyes are searching for the billowing white smoke that signals Habemus Papam: “We have a pope.” ...