8 h. ago 'No pope!' Cardinals send black smoke signal from Sistine Chapel to show first day of conclave has ended without a new pontiff

Hailing from 70 different countries, the 133-strong group of cardinals gathered in the Vatican for the centuries old-ritual to elect the 267th pontiff following the death of Pope Francis last month.

Events

12 h. ago AP PHOTOS: Day 1 of the conclave at the Vatican to pick the next pope

Catholic cardinals from around the world gathered in the Vatican on Wednesday for the start of the conclave, the centuries-old secret voting ritual to elect a new pope to follow Pope Francis, who died April 21. The 133 cardinals are taking part in the most geographically diverse conclave in the faith’s 2,000-year history. Their cellphones are surrendered and airwaves around the Vatican are jammed to prevent all communications until they find a new leader for the 1.4 billion-member church.

Culture

19 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

22 h. ago Secret and rigorous voting ritual to elect a new pope set to begin

While cardinals this week said they expected a short conclave, it will likely take at least a few rounds of voting

Politics

1 week ago How to watch Conclave, the film streaming now about the secret and mysterious ritual to elect a new Pope

Oscar-winning film documents the sequestering of the Vatican’s religious leaders as they select the new Pope

Culture

2 w. ago Conclave: How to watch the film about the secret and mysterious ritual to elect a new Pope

Oscar-winning film documents the sequestering of the Vatican’s religious leaders as they select the new Pope

Culture

2 w. ago What are the church's rites after the death of a pope and the election of a new one?

The death of a pope triggers a centuries-old ritual to elect a new one

Politics