As a fireworks expert tests the Vatican's contemporary system for "holy smoke," Catholic cardinals mull their divergent priorities for Pope Francis' successor.

All the support staff for the cardinals who will elect the successor to Pope Francis are taking an oath of secrecy on Monday ...

The voting is highly choreographed and time-consuming to avoid any possibility of fraud or doubt about the results.

The Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain and the Sistine Chapel usually top the "must see" list of visitors to Rome and the Vatican.

The chimney atop the Sistine Chapel has been installed ahead of the upcoming conclave that will elect the 267th Pope ...

Vatican workers installed the simple stove in the Sistine Chapel where ballots will be burned during the conclave to elect a ...

Experts say the process requires "two custom fireworks", smoke test rehearsals and Vatican firefighters on standby.

The papal smoke signals are ready. Vatican workers on Friday hoisted a chimney onto the roof of the Sistine Chapel, which ...

The Sistine Chapel is located within the Apostolic Palace, the official residence of the Pope in the Vatican. Here are 5 ...

Support staff for the cardinals who will elect Pope Francis' successor are taking an oath of secrecy on Monday before the conclave starts on Wednesday.

They will gather in secret in the Sistine Chapel starting at 4:30 pm (1430 GMT) on Wednesday, and will keep voting until one ...

The Sistine Chapel in the Vatican has been prepared to host 133 cardinal electors for the upcoming conclave to choose the ...