Sistine Chapel

Live: Argentinian Jorge Bergoglio elected pope, takes name Pope Francis

The Papal Conclave has elected Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio as the new Bishop of Rome. Bergoglio has chosen the name Francis.

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.

Cardinal electors arrive in Rome, no date set for conclave

At his daily press briefing Thursday, Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi said no date had yet been set for the conclave.

Sistine Chapel closed ahead of conclave to elect new Pope

In a message on its website, the Vatican Museums said it would still be possible to visit the complex but the renaissance Sistine Chapel, the Borgia Apartment and the modern religious art collection would be off-limits to tourists.

Two Kerala cardinals among those to vote for new Pope

Two cardinals from Kerala are among the four from the country to leave for Vatican to cast their vote in elections for a new pope to replace Pope Benedict XVI.