When does a conclave happen? In this case, the conclave process follows the pope's death, though it can also happen if the pope resigns from his post, as Pope Benedict XVI did in 2013.

The longest papal conclave ever took place from November 29, 1268 to 1271, lasting 34 months. In the end, Pope Gregory X was elected.

Following the death of Pope Francis on April 21 at age 88, the College of Cardinals is beginning the process of selecting his successor. The process, known as the conclave, is one of the most ...

Following the death of Pope Francis, the Catholic Church has chosen a date to elect its new leader, in a process virtually unchanged in 800 years. The system is known as the ‘Papal Conclave,’ and is a ...

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Catholic cardinals on Monday set May 7 as the start date for the conclave to elect Pope Francis’ successor, delaying the secret voting for two days so they can get to know ...

Cardinals attend a final Mass St. Peter’s Basilica, before the conclave to elect a new pope, at the Vatican, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) ...

The pope who came out of that election, Gregory X, decreed in 1274 that after three days of conclave, cardinals would get only one meal a day. The more days they took, the less food they got.

When Pope Leo XIV surprised tens of thousands of young people at a recent Holy Year celebration with an impromptu popemobile ...

The most recent conclave before Leo, which elected Pope Francis in 2013, was no different. The late pontiff was elected in just five ballots in less than two full days of the conclave.

The papal election, which is called the conclave, occurs when the College of Cardinals selects a new pope. The cardinal electors, which consist only of cardinals under the age of 80, vote by ...