The papal conclave, the secretive election process to elect the next leader of the Roman Catholic Church, commenced on Wednesday, bringing cardinals from all over the world to select the 267th pope.

VATICAN CITY — As the cardinals entered the Sistine Chapel in procession Wednesday for the start of the conclave to pick the next pope, talk was swirling that the throne of St. Peter could go to ...

There is no new Pope. Yet. Hours later than expected, black smoke was seen blowing out of the chimney of the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican on the end of the first day of the conclave to elect a ...

Pope Leo's approach to peace is both symbolic and practical, experts say. Why his latest call for fasting and prayer is ...

The Vatican conclave will continue on Thursday with as many as four more rounds of voting. A two-thirds majority of the 133 cardinals is required to select a new leader for the world’s 1.4 ...

Cardinals attend a final Mass St. Peter’s Basilica, before the conclave to elect a new pope, at the Vatican, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) ...

During a Papal Conclave, the world will be watching for white or black smoke from the Vatican's chimney. Here's what it means.

FILE - Black smoke emerges from the chimney on the Sistine Chapel as cardinals voted on the second day of the conclave to elect a pope in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Wednesday, March 13, 2013.

Black smoke coming out of the Vatican’s chimney during a Papal Conclave means the vote for a new pope failed and no one has been selected for the position. A candidate must receive a two-thirds ...

Cardinals attend a final Mass St. Peter’s Basilica, before the conclave to elect a new pope, at the Vatican, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) ...