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Europe News

Cardinals attend final Vatican mass ahead of conclave to elect pope

133 cardinals from 70 countries will be isolated from the outside world, opening the most geographically diverse conclave in the Catholic Church's 2,000-year history.

Europe News

Cardinals finish talks day before start of conclave to choose new pope

The 133 cardinal electors will begin the process of choosing the new pope when the conclave begins in the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday afternoon and they cast their first vote.

Tech News

This is who AI models think will be the next pope

Cardinals are starting the next conclave to select the next pope on Wednesday. Here’s who AI has pegged as the potential successor to Pope Francis.

Vatican

Why the next pope's name could indicate what's ahead for the Church

The late pontiff was the first ever to style himself Pope Francis, a name chosen in honour of the 13th-century saint St Francis of Assisi.

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Travel News

What to expect if you're visiting Rome during the conclave

Tens of thousands of travellers have descended on the city for the funeral of Pope Francis and the election of a new pontiff.

Europe News

Why the world is watching the conclave more closely than ever

The next pontiff will have to re-establish cordial and deep relations between the Church and Western countries, especially the US.

Europe News

Where do the main contenders for new pope stand on key global issues?

It remains unclear whether the conclave will result in a leader aligned with Pope Francis' more progressive stance or a conservative who will take the church in a new direction.

Tech News

How tech is being used to preserve the secrecy of the conclave

As the Vatican gears up to elect the successor to Pope Francis, technology is being deployed to prevent leaks during the secretive papal vote.

USA

White House's AI image of Trump as pope sparks outrage among Catholics

Just days before the papal conclave is set to take place, the official White House account on X posted the AI-generated image of Donald Trump in papal attire.

Europe News

Meetings of cardinals continue in Vatican ahead of conclave

In the week leading up to the conclave, the cardinals continue to meet at the Vatican to get to know each other and outline the profile of the future pope.

France

Is Emmanuel Macron playing pope-maker ahead of next week's conclave?

The French president held a series of meetings with cardinals and other Church officials while in the Italian capital last weekend, leading the press in Italy to speculate whether he is attempting to push the conclave into picking a French candidate to be the next pontiff.

Europe News

Italy plays Fantapapa, fantasy football-like game to pick the new pope

Like a football team, users must choose 11 cardinals whom they believe have the best chance of becoming the next pontiff, as well as a "captain" — or their top favourite.

Europe News

Who are the frontrunners to be the next pope one week before conclave?

The conclave to elect the new pope begins on 7 May, and while there are no official candidates for the post, these are the cardinals considered to be leading the race.

Europe News

Why the controversy over Cardinal Becciu is linked to Vatican reforms

The conclave to appoint a successor to the late Pope Francis had been mired in controversy over the status of disgraced Cardinal Angelo Becciu.

Europe News

Who are the Italian cardinals in the race to be the next pope?

In an increasingly global Catholic Church, an Italian pope is still possible — but not probable.

No Comment

Cardinals meet under media spotlight ahead of conclave

Cardinals gathered at the Vatican on Tuesday ahead of next week's conclave to elect a new pope, following Monday’s announcement of the schedule.

Europe News

Controversial Cardinal Becciu won't join conclave to choose new pope

The cardinal, who was convicted of embezzlement in 2023 by a Vatican court of first instance, decided not to attend the proceedings after days of controversy.

Vatican

In pictures: Pope Francis buried, mourned by hundreds of thousands

Hundreds of thousands gathered in the Vatican on Saturday to watch the final journey of Pope Francis, attended by leaders and royals from around the world.

Europe News

How Pope Francis' funeral also became a top-tier political summit

World leaders gather in Rome for Pope Francis' funeral, with 170 national delegations attending. The event is expected to foster informal political discussions.

Europe News

How China will affect the next pontiff after Pope Francis' Asia pivot

With the conclave to choose his successor looking less Eurocentric than ever, Pope Francis' intense pastoral and diplomatic activity to build a bridge with Asia is set to continue.

Popes are chosen by the College of Cardinals through a Papal election called the Conclave.