Local Catholics on Thursday expressed both surprise at the selection of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as the first American ...

After the traditional announcement of "Habemus Papam" – "We have a pope" – from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, the new ...

Jorge Mario Bergoglio, elected in 2013, decided to take the name of St. Francis of Assisi, who was known for his humility, ...

The election of the new pontiff, successor to Francis, was among the shortest in the last 150 years: just 4 ballots. Leo XIII ...

Prevost, 69, took the name Leo XIV. The announcement “Habemus Papam” — “We have a pope" — from the balcony of St. Peter’s ...

The practice of adopting a new name became ingrained during the 11th century, a period of German popes who chose names of early church bishops.

Here's how the conclave creates black and white smoke and why the Catholic Church began using them to signal whether a new pope has been elected.

Multiple rounds of voting likely will be required before a candidate emerges with the two-thirds majority required to become ...

Students at St. Pius X School are eagerly following the papal conclave process, joining millions of Catholics worldwide in anticipation of the next leader of the Catholic Church.

Artists have captured the hidden world of papal elections for centuries, turning secrecy into spectacle for the public.