The death of Pope Francis sets into motion a series of rituals, some of which go back more than 2,000 years, including how to choose the new pope. Here's what happens next.

After Pope Francis’ funeral, 135 cardinals will gather for a conclave to elect a new pope. The traditions include oaths of secrecy, paper ballots and white smoke from a chimney of the Sistine Chapel.

As tradition dictates, the late pontiff’s signet ring will be destroyed — or defaced, at least — within the walls of the ...

Before his death, Pope Francis greeted the Easter crowd in Vatican City inside an all-electric Mercedes-Benz popemobile.

The Supreme Leader of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Francis, has been in and out of the hospital due to several health issues. Days ago, he finally passed on at the age of 88, and his death signals ...

while Pope John Paul II often wore an alternative ring (or a ring-shaped crucifix) as a facsimile of sorts. Francis fell somewhere in between: He wore his Fisherman’s Ring to official ...