Catholic cardinals are gathering at the Vatican to elect the successor to Pope Francis, who died on April 21. Voting will ...

A change in popes is a complicated process. Centuries-old rituals are involved in the transition in leadership for both the ...

Pyrotechnic chemistry drives the Vatican’s recipes for the black and white smoke used to announce papal election outcomes ...

All eyes are on the chimney over the Sistine Chapel for signs of white smoke that will herald the election of a new pope.

VATICAN CITY -- The conclave to elect the 267th pope and successor to Pope Francis gets underway Wednesday. In total, 133 ...

Rather than soot, the smoke contains microscopic droplets and fine solids that are transparent or white. The result is a ...

Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York made his way to the Sistine Chapel May 7 to participate in the conclave process to elect the next pope.

The papal conclave begins Wednesday, May 7, when cardinals gather to elect the next pope. Here's how to watch coverage in the ...

Papal conclave ballots have been burned to maintain secrecy for centuries. Ballot smoke has been used to announce a decision ...

Roman Catholic cardinals began the task on Wednesday of electing a new pope, locking themselves away from the world until they choose the man they hope can unite a diverse but divided global Church.

Cardinals held the Pro Eligendo Romano Pontifice Mass (Latin: For the Election of the Roman Pontiff) — the final liturgical celebration before the conclave.