One hundred and thirty-three cardinals are beginning centuries-old rituals to elect a successor to Pope Francis.

The 133 cardinals from 70 countries will be locked inside the Sistine Chapel, where they will vote in secret and silence, a ...

African outreach was among Pope Francis' legacies, observers say, with numerous visits and a message of mercy inspiring ...

Deepening unity among Catholics will be the greatest challenge facing the next pope, who will be elected as early as ...

And they will determine whether the adage "fat pope, thin pope" holds true or whether the next leader of the Catholic Church ...

On the eve of the conclave to elect the next pope, the world's smallest country, Vatican City, is engulfed in commotion as ...

Francis’ successor will be selected by cardinals at the conclave that begins on May 7. Cardinals, known as the “princes of ...

Catholic cardinals are gathering at the Vatican to elect the successor to Pope Francis, who died on April 21. Voting will ...

Black smoke from a chimney on the roof of the chapel will mark an inconclusive vote, while white smoke and the peeling of bells will signal that the 1.4-billion member church has a new leader. The ...

The first papal conclave in 12 years begins on Wednesday at the Vatican after a morning Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica. At 4:30 ...

Papal conclave ballots have been burned to maintain secrecy for centuries. Ballot smoke has been used to announce a decision ...

With all the pomp, drama and solemnity that the Catholic Church can muster, 133 Catholic cardinals are beginning the ...