17 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 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

19 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

23 h. ago Conclave odds as favourite for new Pope revealed along with possible papal name

The bookies have released their favourite on who could emerge victorious from the Conclave, becoming the next head of the Catholic Church – and, odds have also been released on the name new pope might pick

Politics

25 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

28 h. ago Conclave live: First vote to decide the next Pope set to take place today

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

Politics

32 h. ago What the new Pope’s name will say about their plans for the Catholic Church

Four favourites have emerged to succeed Pope Francis but it is unclear which cardinal will be picked

Politics

32 h. ago Conclave live: First vote to decide the next Pope to take place today

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

Politics

48 h. ago Conclave live: Speculation grows over who will be named new Pope while cardinals gather for secret election

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

Politics

52 h. ago The small clue that will show what the public can expect from the next pope

Four favourites have emerged to succeed Pope Francis but it is unclear which cardinal will be picked

Culture

3 d. ago Two favourites pushing to become the next Pope are accused of mishandling child sex abuse claims

Italian cardinal Pietro Parolin and Filipino cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, cannot be trusted to protect children from abuse, according to a campaign group.

Events

8 d. ago 'I'd like to be Pope': Donald Trump reveals desire to lead Catholic Church ahead of Vatican papal conclave

The spiritual leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics will be elected from the College of Cardinals next week

Politics

2 w. ago New favourite to be next Pope in JD Vance 'curse' theory after 'exchange of opinions'

Cardinal Pietro Parolin is currently the frontrunner to be the next pope, after he also met the US Vice President during an audience at the Apostilic Palace just two days before the Pope’s death

Politics