When the newly elected Pope Francis stepped onto the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica in 2013 to greet the crowd, he joked that ...

Cardinals this week will start in-depth discussions on planning the conclave to choose Pope Francis' successor.

The cardinals eligible to vote for the new pope will gather in the coming weeks and enter seclusion to secretly vote for the new bishop of Rome.

Cardinal-electors will cast four votes per day until one candidate secures a two-thirds majority, a result broadcast to the ...