The first papal conclave in 12 years begins on Wednesday at the Vatican after a morning Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica. At 4:30 ...

During a Papal Conclave, the world will be watching for white or black smoke from the Vatican's chimney. Here's what it means ...

Ahead of the conclave to elect a new pope, a chimney has been installed atop the Sistine Chapel to signal when a new pontiff has been selected. NBC News' Anne Thompson describes how it works.