Cardinals have decided the conclave to elect a successor to Pope Francis will begin May 7. The conclave is a closed-door meeting of the cardinal electors to choose the new pope in the Sistine Chapel.

Cardinals are meeting in a secret, sacred conclave for a second day as they seek a new pontiff to follow Pope Francis.

How long does it take to choose a pope? In this case, only two days. The Vatican doesn’t publish official data on the number ...

A change in popes is a complicated process, with centuries-old rituals involving the transition in leadership for both the spiritual head of the global Catholic Church and the Vatican’s head of state.

Black smoke billows from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel during the conclave to elect a new pope, at the Vatican, Thursday, May 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini) smoke billows from the chimney of ...

The conclave to elect the new pope brought no new updates as the Sistine Chapel chimney billowed black smoke, indicating no ...

Black smoke has poured out of the Sistine Chapel chimney, indicating no pope was elected on the first ballot of the conclave ...

Black smoke poured out of the Sistine Chapel chimney Wednesday evening, indicating that no pope was elected on the conclave’s ...

Details have begun to emerge of how votes swiftly coalesced to make Pope Leo XIV history’s first American pope.

The conclave that begins Wednesday to elect a successor for Pope Francis is the first in 46 ½ years for which the Vatican hasn't ordered a new cassock for the new head of the Catholic Church.

Cardinal William Goh arrives at the Vatican, Monday, May 5, 2025, to attend the General Congregation of cardinals in the New Synod Hall where they are preparing for the upcoming conclave starting on ...

The conclave was called after Francis died on April 21 at age ... a Pius would hint at a traditionalist restoration. Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration ...