2 h. ago Major Pope decision update as smoke signal sent by Cardinals from Sistine Chapel

A total of 133 cardinals began the conclave - the election to elect the successor to Pope Francis - earlier today, with the first round of results showing if a new pontiff has been chosen.

Events

2 h. ago Conclave live updates: Black smoke pours from Sistine Chapel after Cardinals fail to elect pope

The smoke signals that the 133 cardinals have voted but haven’t reached a two-thirds consensus required to elect a successor to Pope Francis

Events

3 h. ago Conclave live: Black smoke pours from Sistine Chapel chimney as first vote inconclusive

The smoke signals that the 133 cardinals have voted but haven’t reached a two-thirds consensus required to elect a successor to Pope Francis

Politics

3 h. ago Black smoke emerges at Vatican as conclave fails to elect pope – live

Cardinals will be back for more votes tomorrow with up to four rounds of votingWho will be the next pope? Potential candidatesPapal in-tray: new pontiff will have to hit ground runningHow does the conclave work?If you’d rather get up to date on the pomp and the politics of the conclave, the process to elect Pope Francis’s successor, good news: we’ve got you covered.It is, as Guardian journalist Harriet Sherwood explains, an election rich in ceremony and ritual. Yet it can get very dirty too: cardinals lobbying in corridors and Vatican gardens; allegations of leaks to the media to discredit rivals; even the emergence of a video of one cardinal – a bookies’ favourite to be the next pope – singing ‘atheist anthem’ Imagine by John Lennon. Continue reading...

Events

4 h. ago Conclave latest LIVE: Black smoke from Vatican chimney signals Cardinals have not chosen new pope

Some 133 Cardinals began their secretive conclave on Wednesday with a first round of voting due in the afternoon

Events

4 h. ago Smoke signal sent by Cardinals from Sistine Chapel in major Pope decision update

A total of 133 cardinals began the conclave - the election to elect the successor to Pope Francis - earlier today, with the first round of results showing if a new pontiff has been chosen

Events

5 h. ago Conclave latest LIVE: Cardinals hold vote for new pope as watch begins for smoke from Vatican chimney

Some 133 Cardinals began their secretive conclave on Wednesday with a first round of voting due in the afternoon

Politics

5 h. ago World awaits chimney smoke as conclave starts to elect new pope – live

Doors to the Sistine Chapel have been closed and first vote expected to be taken today Who will be the next pope? Potential candidatesPapal in-tray: new pontiff will have to hit ground runningHow does the conclave work?If you’d rather get up to date on the pomp and the politics of the conclave, the process to elect Pope Francis’s successor, good news: we’ve got you covered.It is, as Guardian journalist Harriet Sherwood explains, an election rich in ceremony and ritual. Yet it can get very dirty too: cardinals lobbying in corridors and Vatican gardens; allegations of leaks to the media to discredit rivals; even the emergence of a video of one cardinal – a bookies’ favourite to be the next pope – singing ‘atheist anthem’ Imagine by John Lennon. Continue reading...

Events

5 h. ago Conclave live: Cardinals begin secret vote to choose new Pope as crowds watch for smoke from Vatican

In the pre-conclave Mass, senior cardinal Giovanni Battista Re prayed for the cardinal electors to be enlightened to choose “the Pope our time needs”

Politics

6 h. ago Conclave latest LIVE: Cardinals begin secret vote inside Sistine Chapel to choose new pope

Some 133 Cardinals began their secretive conclave on Wednesday with a first round of voting due in the afternoon

Politics

6 h. ago Conclave begins as locking of Sistine Chapel signals formal start to process to elect new pope – live

Doors to the Sistine Chapel have been closed and first vote expected to be taken today Who will be the next pope? Potential candidatesPapal in-tray: new pontiff will have to hit ground runningHow does the conclave work?If you’d rather get up to date on the pomp and the politics of the conclave, the process to elect Pope Francis’s successor, good news: we’ve got you covered.It is, as Guardian journalist Harriet Sherwood explains, an election rich in ceremony and ritual. Yet it can get very dirty too: cardinals lobbying in corridors and Vatican gardens; allegations of leaks to the media to discredit rivals; even the emergence of a video of one cardinal – a bookies’ favourite to be the next pope – singing ‘atheist anthem’ Imagine by John Lennon. Continue reading...

Politics

7 h. ago Conclave latest LIVE: Cardinals take oath of secrecy inside Sistine Chapel as vote for new pope to begin

Some 133 Cardinals begin their secretive conclave on Wednesday with a first round of voting due in the afternoon

Politics

8 h. ago Conclave live: Cardinals begin secret election to choose next Pope in Sistine Chapel

In the pre-conclave Mass, senior cardinal Giovanni Battista Re prayed for the cardinal electors to be enlightened to choose “the Pope our time needs”

Politics

9 h. ago Watch live: Cardinals begin choosing new pope in largest ever conclave

Watch live on Wednesday (7 May) as cardinals begin choosing a new pope in the largest ever Papa Conclave.

Politics

11 h. ago Conclave live: Next Pope is ‘everybody’s guess’ before Cardinals gather for oath of secrecy and first vote

Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Filipino cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle are among the favourites to succeed Pope Francis ahead of the secretive ballot

Politics

12 h. ago Conclave latest LIVE: Cardinals attend Mass at the Vatican before secretive papal election begins

Some 133 Cardinals begin their secretive conclave on Wednesday with a first round of voting due in the afternoon

Politics

13 h. ago Conclave latest LIVE: Cardinals attend final Mass at St Peter's Basilica before electing next pope

The conclave begins at the Vatican with mass attended by all voting cardinals in St Peter’s Basilica

Politics

14 h. ago New pope will face ‘complex moment in history’, senior cardinal says, before conclave to select Pope Francis’ successor – live

Cardinals set to meet behind closed doors of Sistine Chapel to decide who will become new popeCardinals to begin choosing new popePapal in-tray: new pontiff will have to hit ground runningHow does the conclave work?In his homily – seen as a guiding message for the 133 cardinals set to take part in the conclave – Battista Re called for the help of the Holy Spirit to guide cardinals in choosing the pope “that the church and humanity need at this difficult and complex turning point in history.”He urged them to “put aside all personal considerations” and demonstrate love, “the only force capable of changing the world.” Continue reading...

Culture

14 h. ago The world waits for white smoke: Cardinals prepare for first vote on new Pope TODAY with prayers in the Vatican ahead of sealing themselves off from the outside world for secretive conclave

With all the pomp, drama and solemnity that the Catholic Church can muster, 133 cardinals on Wednesday begin the secretive, centuries-old ritual to elect a successor to Pope Francis

Events

14 h. ago Conclave live: Catholic cardinals from around the world gather to elect new pope

Cardinals meet behind closed doors of Sistine Chapel to decide who should succeed Pope FrancisCardinals to begin choosing new popePapal in-tray: new pontiff will have to hit ground runningHow does the conclave work?You can follow the mass live here:And you can follow the texts here. Continue reading...

Politics