Papal Conclave

Argentine Jorge Bergoglio is Pope Francis

Argentine Jorge Bergoglio has been elected pope, the first ever from the Americas and the first from outside Europe in more than a millennium. He chose the name Pope Francis.

New pope's choice of name will carry his first message

Even before he utters his first words in public, the new pope who emerges from the conclave this week will send Roman Catholics around the world a message encoded in the name he chooses.

Papal conclave: India's 5 cardinal electors largest bloc from Asian countries

The conclave to elect the new Pope started yesterday. Out of 115 Cardinal electors, ten are from Asia, including five from India.

Did you know: Vatican smoke signals were first made to protest Italy?

While 115 cardinals remain sequestered in the Vatican until they elect the Church's 266th pontiff, faithful gathered outside at St. Peter's Square have their eyes fixed on a two-meter (six-foot) high chimney fixed atop the Sistine Chapel waiting for white smoke to billow out of the chimney, signalling the election of a new Pope.

Black smoke from Vatican again, no Pope yet

Black smoke rose from the Vatican's Sistine Chapel on Wednesday, signalling Roman Catholic cardinals had not agreed on a pope to succeed Benedict on their first full morning of voting in a secret conclave.

Indian cardinal is youngest in Vatican conclave

Indian cardinal Cleemis Thottunkal is the youngest cardinal taking part in the conclave to elect a successor to Pope Benedict XVI.

Cardinals begin first full day of papal conclave

After a first inconclusive vote, Cardinals began the process of choosing a new pope in earnest on Wednesday, praying for inspiration at the start of the first full day in a conclave to choose a leader to face a major crisis in the Catholic Church.

At Vatican, black smoke - Pope not elected on first day of conclave

The first day's vote at the Vatican City conclave to elect a new Pope was inconclusive. As of now, there are no front-runners for the office.

Black or White smoke? Website to text or email users when new Pope is chosen

A Catholic organisation has set up a website, www.popealarm.com, that lets people register to receive a text or email notification when a pope has been selected.

Will Papal conclave elect its first African Pope?

Often cast as the social conscience of the church, Ghana's Cardinal Peter Turkson is viewed by many as the top African contender for pope. Here is a quick profile of the man.