Pope Benedict XVI

Newly-elected Pope Francis I (Argentinian Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio) appears on the central balcony of St Peter's Basilica on March 13, 2013 in Vatican City, Vatican. (Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images)

Argentine Cardinal Elected Pope; 1st From The Americas

Argentine Jorge Bergoglio has been elected pope, the first ever from the Americas and the first from outside Europe in more than a millennium. He chose the name Pope Francis.

2013/03/13

Black smoke rises from a chimney on Sistine Chapel at the Vatican following a second round of voting at the papal conclave Wednesday. (CBS)

No Pope Chosen After 2 More Papal Conclave Votes

The princes of the Roman Catholic Church entered the Sistine Chapel for a second day Wednesday to try and decide on a new pope to replace Benedict XVI, but failed again in their morning round of voting to pick a man for the job.

2013/03/13

Faithful, holding umbrellas, look at a giant screen showing the start of the papal election conclave on St Peter's square on March 12, 2013 at the Vatican. (Andreas Solaro/AFP/Getty Images)

Cardinals Begin Conclave To Choose Next Pope; No Consensus On 1st Vote

As thousands waited in a cold night rain in St. Peter’s Square, the cardinals signaled Tuesday they had failed on their first attempt to find a leader for the world’s 1.2 billion Catholics and their troubled church.

2013/03/12

Watch The Vatican Smoke Cam

Following each round of voting, cardinals will burn their ballots, emitting smoke from a Sistine Chapel chimney. White smoke indicates a new pope, black signifies an inconclusive vote…

2013/03/12

Cardinals Conduct Their Final Mass Before Entering Into The Conclave

PHOTOS: The Papal Conclave Process

As devoted Catholics await patiently, inside the Sistine Chapel will attend 115 cardinals as they vote to select the 266th Pope of the Catholic Church…

2013/03/12

Cardinal William Levada of San Francisco. (Photo by David Paul Morris/Getty Images)

On Eve Of Conclave, SF Cardinal Levada Outspoken On New Pope Pick

Cardinal William Levada of San Francisco has not minced words in the days leading up to Tuesday’s conclave to replace Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.

2013/03/11

Pope Benedict XVI gives his cardinal ring to newly appointed William Levada of USA on St Peter Square, 25 March 2006 in The Vatican. (Alberto Pizzoli/AFP/Getty Images)

Former SF Archbishop Prepares For Conclave To Select New Pope

The former Archbishop of San Francisco, William Levada, was among the cardinals in Vatican City Thursday preparing to be locked inside the Sistine Chapel for the conclave to choose the successor to Pope Benedict XVI.

2013/02/28

Cardinal Roger Mahony leads Christmas mass at The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels December 25, 2010 in Los Angeles. (Eric Thayer/Getty Images)

Ex-SF Archbishop: Cardinal Tainted In Sex Abuse Scandal Should Help Select New Pope

A prominent member of the US Catholic hierarchy who will take part in the selection of the next pope says retired Los Angeles Cardinal Roger Mahony should also participate in the process.

2013/02/25

This file picture taken on December 29, 2012, in St.Peter's square at the Vatican shows Pope Benedict XVI saluting as he arrives to the ecumenical christian community of Taize during their European meeting. Pope Benedict XVI on February 11, 2013 announced he will resign on February 28, a Vatican spokesman told AFP, which will make him the first pope to do so in centuries. (Alberto Pizzolio/AFP/Getty Images)

Pope’s Resignation For ‘The Good Of The Church’ Says SF Archbishop

Declaring that he lacks the strength to do his job, Pope Benedict XVI announced Monday he will resign Feb. 28 – becoming the first pontiff to step down in 600 years. His decision sets the stage for a mid-March conclave to elect a new leader for a Roman Catholic Church in deep turmoil.

2013/02/11