Pope

epa12090647 Pope Leo XIV leads the Regina Caeli prayer from the central loggia of Saint Peter's Basilica in Vatican City, 11 May 2025.  EPA-EFE/ALESSANDRO DI MEO

Pope Leo XIV appeals for ‘no more war’ in first Sunday message

POPE Leo XIV appealed to the world’s major powers for “no more war” in his first Sunday (May 11) message to crowds in St Peter’s Square since his election as pontiff.

The papal inauguration usually takes place less than a week after the election with a mass celebrated before political and religious leaders from around the world.

First US pope as Robert Francis Prevost becomes Leo XIV

While the details of the election will forever remain secret, the new pope had to secure at least two-thirds of votes to be elected

Black smoke rises from the chimney on the Sistine Chapel, indicating no decision has been made to elect a new pope, Vatican, May 7, 2025.

Black smoke: Cardinals fail to elect new pope on first try

[VATICAN CITY] Thick black smoke emerged on Wednesday from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel in a sign that cardinals had failed to elect a new head of the Catholic Church in their first conclave vote...

At a Mass in St Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday morning before entering the conclave, the cardinals prayed that God would help them find a pope who would exercise “watchful care” over the world.

Vatican conclave to pick new pope, world awaits white smoke

No pope has been elected on the first day of a conclave for centuries

Hailing from 70 countries across five continents, the group is the largest and the most international ever.

Catholic Church's direction in the balance as conclave looms

At stake is the direction of the Catholic Church, which is battling to adapt to the modern world

More than 100 senior clergy members will take part in a conclave to cast ballots for the pontiff to succeed Pope Francis, who died on April 21.

Vatican’s secretive conclave to pick next Pope starts May 7

They’ll meet in the Sistine Chapel to pick the new pope

Francis, who died on Monday aged 88, will be the first pontiff in more than a century not to be entombed in St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.

Santa Maria Maggiore basilica: Pope Francis's final resting place

[ROME] The Santa Maria Maggiore basilica, which Pope Francis chose as his final resting place, is a fifth-century church located in the centre of Rome that already holds the tombs of seven popes.

Lai is sending instead former vice-president Chen Chien-jen, a devout Catholic who has been to the Vatican several times before.

Taiwan envoy to pope's funeral says he aims to chat with world leaders

[TAIPEI] Taiwan’s envoy to the funeral of Pope Francis aims to use his attendance to “have a good chat” with leaders of countries who are friendly to Taipei, taking the opportunity to boost the intern...