Vatican Church

Pope Francis now has huge following of 6 mn on Twitter

The Spanish version is reported to be the fastest-growing of the account's nine languages, with 2.046 million followers.

Pope Francis now has huge following of 6 mn on Twitter

The Spanish version is reported to be the fastest-growing of the account's nine languages, with 2.046 million followers.

Conclave to elect new pope to begin on Tuesday

The conclave date was set on Friday afternoon during a vote by the College of Cardinals. Tuesday will begin with a Mass in the morning in St Peter's Basilica, followed by the first balloting in the afternoon.

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.

College of Cardinals start papal vote preparations in Vatican

The idea is to have the new pope elected during next week and officially installed several days later so he can preside over the Holy Week ceremonies starting with Palm Sunday on 24 March and culminating in Easter the following Sunday.

Cardinals begin long process of choosing new pope

No front-runner stands out among the 115 cardinal electors — those aged under 80 — due to enter the Sistine Chapel for the conclave that picks the new pope, so discreetly sizing up potential candidates will be high on the cardinals' agenda.

He is an intelligent one: Dalai Lama on Pope Benedict

Dalai Lama today expressed hope that Pope Benedict XVI will continue to be available for the benefit of the people despite his resignation.

Benedict becomes first Pope in 600 years to resign

The pope's journey into retirement began with an emotional send-off from the Vatican, with Swiss Guards in full regalia and prelates kneeling to kiss Benedict's papal ring one last time.

Benedict spends last day as Pope meeting cardinals

No major speech is expected during his morning farewell on Thursday with his closest advisers, just a simple greeting to each one inside the Clementine Hall of the Apostolic Palace.

Huge crowds gather at St Peter's square for Pope's last audience

The pope was to hold his last general audience, which usually takes place in an indoor auditorium but was moved outside into the sprawling square to accommodate more people.