1 hour ago Will the Catholic church turn right or left? The factions lobbying to shape conclave

Quiet conversations could decide whether the next pope is conservative, progressive or a unifierConclave live: cardinals gather to elect new popeAs the sun sank behind St Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday evening without smoke emerging from the the Sistine Chapel chimney, some in the crowd began to wonder why the first vote of the conclave was taking so long.Speculation included a malfunctioning stove and a medical emergency. Some thought disagreements between cardinals may have delayed the vote. The reality was probably rather more prosaic: voting is thought to have started late, and the record number of cardinal electors – 133 and including many new faces – meant it took a long time. Continue reading...

Politics

4 h. ago Conclave live: More voting to take place today after black smoke appears in Vatican election for next pope

It comes after the 133 cardinal electors sent up a black smoke signal on Wednesday evening as they continue their work to elect a successor to Pope Francis

Politics

4 h. ago Conclave live: Wait for new pope goes on as black smoke blows out from Sistine Chapel for second time with cardinals deadlocked on who will succeed Francis

MAILONLINE BLOG: Follow live coverage from the Vatican on the second day of conclave as cardinals return to the Sistine Chapel to vote for a new pope.

Events

4 h. ago Conclave live: black smoke emerges from chimney as cardinals fail to agree on new pope

Signal from Sistine Chapel chimney shows deliberations will continue over new leader of the Catholic church Explainer: how does the conclave work?Leading candidates to be the next popeHistorically, some of the conclaves were really drawn out: in 13th century, they needed three years, over 1,000 days, to choose Gregory X.There was also one that ended on the first day, when Julius II in 1503 was elected after just 10 hours. Continue reading...

Events

4 h. ago Conclave live: Black smoke appears above Sistine Chapel for second time as next Pope remains undecided

It comes after the 133 cardinal electors sent up a black smoke signal on Wednesday evening as they continue their work to elect a successor to Pope Francis

Events

4 h. ago Conclave LIVE: Black smoke pours from Sistine Chapel chimney as cardinals fail to elect new pope

A record 133 cardinals from 70 countries are involved in the secret ballot to elect a new pope

Events

5 h. ago Conclave live: Cardinals vote again after black smoke signals no pope chosen on first day

The assembled cardinals vote up to four times a day, while crowds gather in St Peter’s Square to wait for the white smoke that signals the Conclave has selected a successor to Pope Francis

Politics

6 h. ago Conclave live: Cardinals to vote again after black smoke signals no pope chosen on first day

The assembled cardinals vote up to four times a day, while crowds gather in St Peter’s Square to wait for the white smoke that signals the Conclave has selected a successor to Pope Francis

Politics

6 h. ago Conclave live: Catholic cardinals gather for second day to elect new pope

Up to four rounds of voting expected with history suggesting white smoke might be seen todayExplainer: how does the conclave work?Leading candidates to be the next pope If you want to see the latest scenes from the Vatican, there is now a live stream showing St Peter’s Square and the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel pinned at the top of this page.What makes today slightly more tricky to follow is that while we have four rounds of voting, we may not get smoke after every one of them. Continue reading...

Politics

15 h. ago Conclave live: Cardinals set for more talks after black smoke signals no pope chosen on first day

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

18 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

19 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

19 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

19 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

19 h. ago Black smoke signals Vatican conclave has failed to elect new pope on first day

Cardinals begin locked-in selection process amid throng of pilgrims and peaceful protest for women’s rights in churchExplainer: how does the conclave work?Plumes of black smoke have emerged from the chimney on top of the Sistine Chapel, signalling that the 133 cardinals sealed off inside have failed to elect a new pope on the first day of conclave.After the formal procession to the Sistine Chapel and each of the cardinals swearing the oath to secrecy, the first voting round only got under way at about 5.45pm local time. Then all eyes were on the famous chimney, which was diligently guarded by a seagull for some of the time the cardinals were voting. Continue reading...

Events

21 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

22 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

29 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

30 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