Experts say the process requires "two custom fireworks", smoke test rehearsals and Vatican firefighters on standby.

If the next pope is from sub-Saharan Africa, he would be the first in Catholic Church history. Catholic Africans think it is ...

As the Conclave Nears, Global Betting on the Next Pope Raises Eyebrows and Questions of ReverenceAs the Catholic Church ...

Catholic cardinals are eligible to participate in the conclave, but two have indicated they will not attend. Two of these cardinals are from the Tri-State Area -- Timothy Cardinal Dolan from the ...