With the death of Pope Francis April 21, the practical aspects of overseeing the day-to-day needs of the church and ...

Black smoke – fumata nera in Italian – indicates an inconclusive vote, while white smoke – fumata bianca – will signify that a new pope has been elected. If three days pass with no pope elected, ...

Pope Francis, who sought to be a bridge maker as he led the Catholic Church in a time of deep polarization, died Monday morning at the age of 88—a day after a surprise appearance in Peter’s Square on ...

Pope Francis' funeral rites, like those for any pope or any Christian, are meant to "reinforce the hope and witness to the faith" that those who have been baptized in Christ "will rise with him to new ...

Pope Francis I's death now means the Catholic Church is without a leader. Here are five things that must happen between now ...

Centuries of experience dealing with the death of a pope has left the Catholic Church with thorough instructions detailing ...

The death of Pope Francis sets into motion a series of rituals, some of which go back more than 2,000 years, including how to choose the new pope. Here's what happens next.

Francis - born Jorge Mario Bergoglio - turned down the grand top-floor palatial penthouse apartment which boasts more than 12 ...

Following the death of Pope Francis at the age of 88, a number of rituals and formalities must take place before the election ...

The Catholic Church is now without a leader after Pope Francis' death and these things will happen before a new one is ...

Pope Francis died early Monday morning at the age of 88. Here's how popes are selected and who the leading candidates are.