The question facing the conclave is whether the cardinals want to continue in the direction set by Pope Francis.

However, for centuries, popes have only been chosen from among the Catholic cardinals, the church's most senior officials. The conclave takes place in the Sistine Chapel, behind sealed doors.

Black smoke has poured out of the Sistine Chapel chimney, indicating no pope was elected on the first ballot of the conclave to choose a new leader of the Catholic Church.

With all eyes now on the Vatican after Pope Francis' death, here's a look at the conclave and its role in electing the next head of the Catholic Church. Francis died at age 88 and was remembered ...

By Jed Nelson There are moments in history that are so important, so joyful or tragic that we remember exactly where we were ...

Several concrete solutions have been proposed that, while respecting the principle of Nicaea, would allow Christians to ...

White smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel and the great bells of St. Peter's Basilica rang out on Thursday, signaling that a new pope—the 267th leader of the Catholic Church—had been ...

On the second day of the conclave to choose a successor to Pope ... but he was not considered among the frontrunners to lead the Catholic Church. Some of the cardinals who were frequently ...

Here are some things to know about the election of the 267th pontiff of the Catholic Church. The conclave was called after Francis died on April 21 at age 88. There was a delay between his death ...

one of the most important jobs in the Catholic Church. And in January, Francis elevated Prevost into the senior ranks of cardinals, giving him prominence going into the conclave that few other ...

Edward Berger’s “Conclave” had perfect timing. That’s probably what a lot of people thought on Thursday after the new leader of the Roman Catholic Church, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost ...

ABC7's Liz Nagy spent almost two weeks reporting from the Vatican as the Catholic Church elected Pope Leo XIV as its next ...