Waiting for the Smoke That Heralds a New Pope

As 133 cardinals were sequestered in the Sistine Chapel where they would vote for a new leader of the Catholic Church, the faithful and the curious gathered in St. Peter’s Square.

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Pope Francis, Who Sought a More Pastoral Church, Laid to Rest in a Majestic Ceremony

The funeral drew world leaders, including President Trump and President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine, who had a talk in the Basilica.

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Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re Will Preside Over Pope Francis’ Funeral

The dean of the Roman Catholic Church’s College of Cardinals is a 91-year-old Italian who has spent most of his career serving in the Roman curia.

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Vatican Has a Vacancy, but It Doesn’t Stop Between Popes

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Who is the dean of the College of Cardinals? (It’s not Ralph Fiennes.)

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What to Know About Pope Francis’ Death

The pope’s funeral will take place on Saturday. Choosing his successor could take weeks.

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Francis Is in Critical Condition. What Happens When a Pope Dies?

Time-honored rituals, drafted and refined over centuries, allow for ritual mourning and provide order at a dramatic moment of transition.

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