Cardinals from across the world have one task starting this week. Electing a new pope. Pope Francis died at age 88 and served as pope for 12 years before his unexpected death on Easter Monday in 2025.

Following the death of Pope Francis, the Catholic Church will now elect its new leader, in a process virtually unchanged in 800 years. The system is known as the ‘Papal Conclave,’ and is a democratic ...

MANILA, Philippines — Robert Francis Prevost became the first pope from the United States on Thursday (early Friday in the Philippines), taking the papal name Leo XIV after cardinals from around the ...

Based on Robert Harris’ 2016 novel of the same name, 'Conclave' tells the story of the Catholic Church's papal election process Jordana Comiter is an Associate Editor on the Evergreen team at PEOPLE.

As the cardinals entered Vatican City this morning, a few stopped to chat to reporters, but most quickly disappeared through the imposing gates. Today begins the General Congregation, the first ...

Editor's Note: This page is a summary of news for the first day of the conclave on Wednesday, May 7. For the latest news and updates from the papal conclave, read USA TODAY's live updates for Thursday ...