One by one, placing a right hand on the Book of Gospels, staff driving, cooking, cleaning and caring for the cardinals who will elect a new pope will swear an oath of perpetual secrecy about the election of the 267th successor of St. Peter.
International News
Conclave Has Most Cardinals, Widest Geographical Mix in History
The conclave that begins May 7 is expected to be the largest in history, with a wide geographical mix of cardinal-electors.
Past Conclaves Give Idea of When To Watch for Smoke From Sistine Chapel
The cardinals who enter the Sistine Chapel May 7 to elect a new pope use smoke signals to communicate with the outside world.
At Jubilee of Teenagers, Grief Is Mingled With Joyful Hope for Church’s Future
For thousands of young teens who traveled to Rome for the Jubilee of Teenagers, the announcement of Pope Francis’ death came as a shock.
Cardinals, Faithful Flock to Rome’s Center To Pray at Pope’s Tomb
Members of the College of Cardinals had a chance to take a quick bus tour through Rome on their way to visit the tomb of Pope Francis, who wanted to be buried in a Marian basilica three and a half miles from the Vatican.
The Next Pope: Lists Abound, Certainty Does Not
The news media, blogs, pundits and people on the street all seem to have their favorite candidate or a list of “probable” next popes, but the College of Cardinals as a whole does not.
U.S. Cardinals Who Will Enter Conclave To Elect Pope
A list of the U.S. cardinals who are under the age of 80 and eligible to enter the conclave May 7 to elect a new pope:
Conclave To Elect Next Pope Will Begin May 7
The 135 cardinals eligible to elect the next pope will enter the Sistine Chapel to begin the conclave May 7, the Vatican announced.
Thousands Line Streets of Rome To Bid Final Farewell to Pope Francis
The casket bearing the body of Pope Francis made its final journey through the streets of Rome accompanied by applause and shouts of gratitude from thousands of mourners.
Bishop Brennan, Diocesan Parishioners Say Goodbye to Pope Francis at Vigil Mass
On the eve of Pope Francis’ funeral — when the world would bid a final farewell to the beloved pontiff — Bishop Robert Brennan celebrated a Vigil Mass of Repose for the “People’s Pope.”