Cardinal Robert Prevost elected first American pope, Leo XIV, marking historic moment for Catholic Church on May 8, 2025.

While cardinals this week said they expected a short conclave, it will likely take at least a few rounds of voting.

“I’m ecstatic,” said Alec Maddox, 32, a consultant who lives in San Diego, although he and his two brothers, Tommy, 30, and ...

What is the science behind the smoke signals on the Sistine Chapel to announce if a new pope has been elected?

Black smoke emerged from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel during the conclave. That meant that no new pope had been elected by the cardinals. It signified the end of the second round of voting -- and ...

White smoke was seen emanating from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, indicating that a two-thirds vote has been reached to elect the new pope.

"Francis was my pope for less than two days," said a new Catholic visiting from the U.S. "I wish he'd stayed longer, because ...

Peace be with you,' Pope Leo XIV said in greeting the thousands of people who packed St. Peter's Square, a plaza brimming ...

Cardinals returned to the Sistine Chapel on Thursday to resume voting for a new pope after the first conclave ballot failed ...

White smoke is pouring out of the Sistine Chapel chimney, signalling that a pope has been elected to lead the Catholic Church ...

The cardinals are participating in the most geographically diverse conclave in the faith’s 2,000-year history.

Vatican firefighters have installed the iconic chimney atop the Sistine Chapel, a key step ahead of the May 7 conclave to elect Pope Francis’s successor. Black smoke = no pope yet; white smoke = a new ...