The ring and seal are destroyed or nulled after a pope’s death to prevent their future misuse to seal official documents.

The proceedings will take place in absolute secrecy, with the prelates largely sequestered from the outside world for as long ...

As the conclave gets underway, all eyes turn to the small chimney atop the Sistine Chapel. From this simple metal tube will emerge the long-awaited white smoke that will announce the election of the ...