A change in popes is a complicated process, with centuries-old rituals involving the transition in leadership for both the spiritual head of the global Catholic Church and the Vatican’s head of state.

He was a pope who understood the power of a simple touch: caressing the deformed head of a man in St.<a ...

Here's a look at the well-choreographed transition process and what experts including the Rev. Robin Ryan of the Catholic ...

The Union government announced a three-day State Mourning following the demise of Pope Francis, who died Monday at age 88.In ...

Pope Francis charmed the world with those poignant acts of love, humility and informality, starting with his first appearance ...

The April 21 death of Pope Francis triggered a period of mourning in the Catholic Church, but also kick-started the race for his successor.

As is always the case, in the months and years prior to the death of a pope, a selection of candidates known as papabile ...

Pope Francis, known to transform the Catholic Church, died on Easter Monday. While the nine-day period of mourning has begun, ...

Francis inherited a deeply divided Church after the resignation in 2013 of his predecessor, Benedict XVI. The conservative-progressive gap became a chasm after Francis was elected the first ...

He will go down in history as a radical pontiff and a champion of underdogs who forged a more compassionate Catholic Church.

Francis inherited a deeply divided Church after the resignation in 2013 of his predecessor, Benedict XVI. The ...