And they will determine whether the adage "fat pope, thin pope" holds true or whether the next leader of the Catholic Church ...

Deepening unity among Catholics will be the greatest challenge facing the next pope, who will be elected as early as ...

“It’s the natural journey of the church,” said Cardinal Beniamino Stella, an Italian who was once a power player in the ...

African outreach was among Pope Francis' legacies, observers say, with numerous visits and a message of mercy inspiring ...

What the new Pope’s name will say about their plans for the Catholic Church - Four favourites have emerged to succeed Pope ...

Although it is now customary to select a papal name, this has not always been the case. In the early years of the Catholic ...

From his new name to the title he uses to introduce himself, a pope’s first appearance involves symbolic choices that signal ...

The announcement “Habemus Papam” — “We have a pope” — from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica is followed first by the ...

Among the roughly 1.4 billion Catholics around the world, many are keenly anticipating the upcoming conclave at the Vatican ...

Over 130 voting cardinals must decide whether to continue in the direction of Francis or elect a pope likely to choose a more traditional path.

Over 130 cardinals prepare to elect the next pope, guided by faith and aware of the Church’s evolving role in a complex world.

The College of Cardinals held its 12th general congregation on Tuesday, where Pope Francis’ ring fisherman’s ring was officially destroyed.