The word itself predates Christianity, but the conclave with its secretive deliberations and ancient trappings still captures the public's curiosity.

This three-year conclave led the new Pope, Gregory X, to declare in 1274 that future conclaves must be held behind closed doors, with no contact between cardinals and the outside.

The highly secretive papal conclave has previously taken hours, days, months and even years to select the next leader of the Catholic Church.

After a pope dies – or in very rare cases, resigns – the Catholic Church chooses its next leader through an ancient electoral process called the papal conclave. Here's how it works.

The election of a new pope is a highly mystified and sacred process, dating back centuries and enshrined in last year's award-winning thriller "Conclave." The last time the College of Cardinals ...

What exactly is the conclave? Here's what to know about how the next pope is elected Choosing Pope Francis' successor is a mix of tradition and necessity.

The movie "Conclave" depicts the process by which a new pope is elected. The start of the papal conclave in Vatican City has sparked renewed interest in the Oscar-winning movie "Conclave," which ...

Pope Francis's death at the age of 88 means the Catholic Church must choose a new leader. Here's how cardinals elect the next pontiff at the conclave.

The Conclave has remained virtually unchanged for the last 800 years and typically begins 15 to 20 days after the pope's death or resignation.

No Pope Elected in Conclave’s First Vote The Vatican conclave will continue on Thursday with as many as four more rounds of voting. A two-thirds majority of the 133 cardinals is required to ...

This three-year conclave led the new Pope, Gregory X, to declare in 1274 that future conclaves must be held behind closed doors, with no contact between cardinals and the outside.