Black smoke rose from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel at 11:51 am Rome time on Thursday, signaling that the cardinals voting at the conclave …

Black smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel chimney Wednesday evening to the watchful eyes of pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square as the first day …

Reporting and in-depth coverage during the conclave, while awaiting the election of the Pope

The 133 cardinal-electors have entered the Sistine Chapel in solemn procession, beginning the conclave that will elect the next and 267th pope.

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Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, presides over the Mass for the Election of the Roman Pontiff, and calls for unity in faith and prayer as the Cardinals go into the Conclave to elect the new Pope. “May the Pope elected may be he whom the Church and humanity need at this difficult, complex, and troubled turning point in history.”

From the voting of cardinal electors to the burning of ballots in a cast-iron stove dating back to 1939, here’s a look at what happens inside the Sistine Chapel during a papal election.

Electing a Pope wasn’t always the formal, ruled-based conclave we are familiar with today. Everything changed in 1271 after a papal election lasted almost three years.

Bishops praying before Our Lady | CBCEW The Catholic Bishops of England and Wales are meeting for their Spring plenary at Buckfast Abbey in Devon, …

The papal fisherman’s ring and lead seal are nulled during the 12th general congregation of the College of Cardinals on Tuesday, May 6, 2025.

The day before the beginning of the Conclave, the twelfth and final General Congregation of Cardinals focuses on various qualities important for a future Pope, including being a shepherd, bridge builder, and promoter of reform.

Officials and staff involved in the upcoming Conclave take the oath of secrecy ensuring the integrity of the process to elect the new pontiff.

The Vatican’s Sistine Chapel has been set up to host 133 Cardinal electors for the upcoming conclave to elect the 267th Pope.

Pope Francis requests that his popemobile be turned into a health clinic for the children of Gaza.

Cardinals participate in the fifth Novendiales Mass for Pope Francis on April 30, 2025, in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican. | Credit: Daniel Ibañez/CNA …

On Sunday afternoon, 4 May, the Third Sunday of Easter, Cardinal Protodeacon Dominique Mamberti presided over the ninth and final Novemdiale Mass in Saint Peter’s Basilica in suffrage for Pope Francis, with the participation of the College of Cardinals. He recalled that Peter’s mission is love expressed through service to the Church and all humanity.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin celebrates Mass on Divine Mercy Sunday in suffrage for Pope Francis, and recalls that mercy offers Christians the golden thread that unites our lives to one another and to Christ.

After funeral mass, Pope Francis’ mortal remains were carried through Rome to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, where he was laid to rest near the icon of Mary Salus Popoli Romani.

The Deed for the Pious Passing of His Holiness Pope Francis has been placed in his coffin, which was sealed in a solemn rite on the eve of his Requiem Mass.