Vatican prepares to vote for new pope

The Vatican says all 133 cardinals who will elect the next pope are in Rome. Officials expect a quarter of a million people to attend the new pope’s first appearance on the balcony of Saint Peter’s Basilica. The Vatican City is preparing for the upcoming …

Vatican conclave begins to choose successor to Pope Francis

Pope Francis died on April 21, triggering a call for the 133 cardinal electors to gather in the Sistine Chapel to select the new leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics. With representatives from almost 70 countries across five continents, the conclave …

VATICAN - Conclave: More and more Cardinals from the countries entrusted to the Dicastery for Evangelization gather in ...

Tuesday, 6 May 2025 Foto d'archivio by Fabio Beretta Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - With the image of Christ and the Last Judgment painted by Michelangelo on the altar wall of the Sistine Chapel, the Cardinals are gathering in Conclave to elect the …

Eyes on the Vatican City as Pope Francis' successor set to be chosen

Too many cardinals, not enough rooms: Vatican’s pre-conclave dilemma

And while the cardinals dine in modest style, the Sistine Chapel awaits their presence. Beneath Michelangelo’s Last Judgment, they will don scarlet robes and cast secret ballots in pursuit of consensus. The voting process is slow and ritualistic, with each …

Vatican's radical step to maintain centuries-old tradition

All mobile phone signals will be deactivated in the Vatican on Wednesday ahead of the highly secretive conclave to elect the next pope, Italian state media reports. The Vatican also plans to use signal jammers around the Sistine Chapel to prevent …

Vatican prepares for conclave lockdown

The Sistine Chapel was decked out to host a papal election Tuesday as cardinals from around the globe moved into a Vatican guest house ahead of the conclave to choose Pope Francis's successor. The magnificence of Michelangelo's ceiling frescoes now …

Stamps of a transition: Vatican marks the Sede Vacante

On April 28, the Vatican’s postal service released a new series of stamps commemorating the Sede Vacante. In Rome, even a postage stamp can carry theological weight. On April 28, the Vatican’s postal service released a new series of stamps commemorating …

Possible controversy averted: Vatican, archbishop clarify African cardinal’s conclave absence

VATICAN CITY // A potential “conclave controversy” was swiftly averted May 6 when confusion erupted over Kenyan Cardinal John Njue’s absence from the papal conclave.  The controversy began when a Kenyan newspaper quoted Cardinal Njue as saying he …

Vatican staff vow conclave secrecy over pope election

VATICAN CITY — Cleaners and cooks. Doctors and nurses. Even drivers and elevator operators. The support staff for the cardinals who will elect the successor to Pope Francis took an oath of secrecy Monday ahead of the conclave that’s starting on Wednesday. …