Simply put, a conclave is the assembly of cardinals that elects a pope. The word itself comes from the Latin "com" and "clavis," meaning "together" and "key," respectively – highlighting the absolute, ...

Pope Francis's death at the age of 88 means the Catholic Church must choose a new leader. Here's how cardinals elect the next pontiff at the conclave.

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.

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

Here are some things to know about the election of the 267th pontiff of the Catholic Church, which has 1.4 billion faithful across the world. Why is the conclave being held now? The conclave ...

In the 13th century, it took almost three years — 1,006 days to be exact — to choose Pope Clement IV's successor, making it the longest conclave in the Catholic Church’s history. It's also ...

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.

Join America Media’s team of experts for an exclusive, subscriber-only event to gain a deeper understanding of the conclave ...

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

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 ...

I have been thrilled by the world’s attention to the Conclave and the election of the first American pope, Leo XIV. This ...