While Francis stacked the ranks with his cardinals, it is not necessarily the case that all of them will want to see the ...

Dating back to the Middle Ages -- when the idea of sovereigns being elected was somewhat revolutionary -- the gathering, known as conclave, has an air of mystery about it, as all participants are ...

Cardinals have no contact with the outside world after the master of liturgical ceremonies utters the words “Extra Omnes” the ...

During the meeting, approximately 20 cardinals delivered addresses on “themes of particular relevance for the future of the ...

The Vatican is closing the Sistine Chapel to the public as part of preparations for the conclave to elect the next pope after ...

The best time to be in St. Peter’s Square to see the smoke is just after 7 p.m. the first day of the conclave, May 7; and on ...

Work to prepare the Sistine Chapel for the gathering of the cardinals to elect a new pope has begun. The building in Vatican ...

VATICAN CITY (CNS) – The 135 cardinals eligible to elect the next pope will enter the Sistine Chapel to begin the conclave ...

The College of Cardinals moves toward a conclave to elect Pope Francis’ successor, debating unity, diversity, and future ...

"Notice is hereby given that the Sistine Chapel will be closed to the public from Monday 28 April 2025 for the requirements of the Conclave," reads a terse statement on the Vatican Museums' website.

The election of a new pope is both mysterious and theatrical. The spectacle draws huge crowds and global attention—and yet ...