This conclave is significant not only for its size, but also for the opportunity it presents to shape the future of Catholicism. The outcome will have implications for the church's stance on a variety of issues and determine whether the church wants to continue with the direction set forth by Pope Francis. In four days, 133 cardinals will make their way inside the Sistine Chapel to elect the next pontiff.
Read MoreOver the coming days, tens of thousands of people are expected to pass through St. Peter’s Basilica to bid farewell to Pope Francis. His funeral Mass is scheduled for Saturday.
Read MoreThe Catholic Church’s next leader will likely be chosen from a group of cardinals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership in both spiritual and organizational capacities. The process of choosing the next pope is known as a papal conclave. This occurs following the death or resignation of a sitting pope.
Read More(ANALYSIS) There is a “Demos II” epistle from another anonymous cardinal — criticizing Pope Francis and describing seven tasks facing the next pontiff.
Read More(ANALYSIS) Remember that time Ireland had a pope? You probably don't. Because it never happened. Despite Ireland's rich monastic and missionary traditions — along with its hard-fought struggle to maintain the Catholic religion — there has never been an Irish pope. Italy, of course, has had hundreds of popes. France has had 15 and the Germans half a dozen.
Read More(OPINION) Will age play a role in determining the next Pope? Some will say the rule of thumb has moved to older popes, as with the U.S. presidency.
Read More(REVIEW) The Next Pope: The Leading Cardinal Candidates by the National Catholic Register's longtime Rome correspondent Edward Pentin delves into the lives of the cardinals most likely to follow Francis.
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