First, he reassures the pilgrims who are crossing the Holy Door in the patriarchal basilicas in 'this great heat.' Then he ...

Pope Leo XIV is starting a six-week vacation this weekend at the papal summer retreat south of Rome. It's his first break ...

Leo will disappear further this weekend when he begins a six-week vacation in his first break since his historic election May ...

In an interesting turn of life somewhat imitating art, the new pope watched the film “Conclave” in the days just before being named the first American pontiff to lead the Catholic church.

Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost, emerged on the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica on Thursday night as the 267th pontiff, following four rounds of voting during the conclave.

The use of chemicals to ensure either black or white smoke was introduced after the 1958 conclave when damp straw added to papers from an unsuccessful ballot did not ignite at first.

The previous pope, Pius X, had mandated in 1904 that all papers related to the election, not just the ballots, be burned, "thus producing a great deal more white smoke for the final ballot and ...

However, as history has shown, even the most time-honored traditions can sometimes lead to confusion. The 1958 Smoke Signal Incident: A Moment of Chaos One of the most memorable instances of confusion ...

People watch a screen in St .Peter's Square showing cardinals inside the Sistine Chapel, on the first day of the conclave to elect the next pope, at the Vatican, May 7, 2025. Kevin Coombs/REUTERS ...

In 1958, damp straw caused white smoke to briefly appear before turning black, confusing onlookers and prompting the shift to chemical-based signals. The longest conclave, from 1268 to 1271, dragged ...

In order to prepare for the real conclave occurring, several cardinals were reported watching the 2024 movie "Conclave" to gain insight into how the process works.

The Room of Tears is just a few feet away from the Sistine Chapel, where the monumental decision of the papal election is made. After the pope-elect accepts his role, thus ending the conclave, the ...