As was the case with Pope Francis, and especially since the 5th century, almost every pope has chosen a name to honor a saint or a previous pope.
Conclave
Creation, Last Judgment, Stoves: Workers Ready Sistine Chapel for Conclave
In preparation for the conclave, workers have placed a protective covering over the marble mosaic floors and started carrying in pipes, couplers and sheets of subflooring into the Sistine Chapel
7 Reasons To Pray for the Cardinals in Conclave
As the College of Cardinals gathers in Rome for the conclave that will elect our next pope, the rest of us may feel like we have no real role to play in the process. And yet, that is absolutely not the case.
Filipinos in the Diocese of Brooklyn Rally Behind Cardinal Tagle as Potential Successor to Pope Francis
Filipino Catholics in the Diocese of Brooklyn are praying that when the white smoke emerges from the Sistine Chapel, it will be Cardinal Luis Tagle who walks out as Pope Francis’ successor.
Here Are 11 Cardinals With American Ties Who Will Cast Votes for the Next Pope
The cardinals who have arrived in Rome to elect a new pope come from over 60 countries – including the United States.
Vatican Drivers, Staff To Swear Oath of Secrecy Ahead of Conclave
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.
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.
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.