Vatican

The Archdiocese of San Antonio celebrated Mass at San Fernando Cathedral to honor the first pope from the United States.

Cardinal Robert Prevost has been elected pope, the first time an American has led the Roman Catholic Church. Prevost, 69, chose the name Pope Leo XIV.

Black smoke streamed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, signaling that the more than 130 cardinal electors have not come to a two-thirds agreement about who the next pope should be.

As more than a billion Catholics around the world await the election of a new pope, all eyes are on the Sistine Chapel, where 133 cardinals started the secretive process known as a conclave.

The decision was made at the Fifth General Congregation, held on Monday morning in the Vatican's Synod Hall. The conclave will take place in the Vatican's Sistine Chapel, which will remain closed to visitors during those days.

Only 135 of 260 cardinals, or those under age 80, will vote for the next pope in a Vatican City conclave expected to begin on May 6 or soon after.

In the weeks that follow the passing of a pontiff, the city of Rome, and the Vatican in particular, comes alive with discussions over which man is best suited to next lead the church.

Kevin Farrell is the camerlengo, or acting head of the Vatican, until a new pope is elected. Here's what to know about Farrell, who was born in Ireland and spent much of his career in the U.S.

Pope Francis's death sets an ancient machinery into motion. Soon, with a puff of smoke, the last absolute monarchy in Europe will get a new leader.

Bishop Paul Tighe, the Adjunct Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Culture, was a member of the Vatican's inaugural panel at the Austin fest. He discusses the Catholic Church's social media role.