The death of a pope triggers a centuries-old ritual to elect a new one. It involves sacred oaths, the piercing of ballots ...

A change in popes is a complicated process, with centuries-old rituals involving the transition in leadership for both the ...

Speculation surrounding a conclave to elect a pope is a time-honored tradition. But for the impending conclave following the death of Pope Francis, the ranks of armchair Vatican experts have ...

Pope Francis will be laid to rest Saturday after lying in state for three days in St. Peter’s Basilica, where the faithful ...

Cardinals could pick a progressive pope ready to build off the changes Francis brought to the church or a conservative who could ratchet them back.

FILE - White smoke is seen billowing out from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel and announcing that a new pope has ... known as general congregations, in which church problems are discussed. It was in ...

The conclave's first day begins with the special mass, after which the cardinals file into the Sistine Chapel chanting prayers and hymns, imploring saints and the Holy Spirit to help them pick a pope.

The public will be able to pay their respects at a viewing in St Peter’s Basilica and a funeral mass will take place before a new pope is elected.

Many rank-and-file Catholics approved, believing that the church had become inward-looking ... Image White smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel on March 13, 2013, indicating ...

(AP/Andrew Medichini, File) At the same time, Francis' conservative detractors — who view his changes as out of sync with the church's longstanding tradition — will likely advocate to seize ...