Why the conclave uses black and white smoke to indicate if there's a new pope
Here's how the conclave creates black and white smoke and why the Catholic Church began using them to signal whether a new pope has been elected.
Pope
How pope's official attire is chosen
Known as papal vestments, the pope's official attire has long been made by two family-run tailoring businesses in Rome. They're eagerly waiting to watch white smoke rise from the Sistine Chapel and see a new pope emerge, possibly wearing the garments they created.
Betting odds on predicting the next pope
The secrecy surrounding the conclave hasn't stopped people from trying to predict the results. Three of the major betting markets alone have taken in more than $19 million in wagers.
More black smoke on second conclave day
The 2025 papal conclave continues, and more black smoke rose from the chimney to alert that a new pope has not been chosen. CBS News' Seth Doane reports.
Catholic school brings conclave to classroom
As the world waits for white smoke to emerge at the Sistine Chapel, more than 6,000 miles away, with no fanfare or oath to secrecy, 8th graders at St. Mel's Catholic School are immersing themselves in the centuries-old tradition. Elise Preston reports.
How U.S. Catholics see the role of the Church and the pope in their lives — CBS News poll
A majority of Catholics look to the Pope and the Church's teachings for difficult moral questions.
Conclave sends up black smoke, no pope chosen in first vote
The Catholic Church's cardinal electors entered the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican to choose a successor to Pope Francis, as the 2025 papal conclave begins.
Vatican filled with anticipation for new pope
The black smoke from the Sistine Chapel indicated that two-thirds of the Catholic cardinals are still grappling with which one of them will be the next pope. Chris Livesay reports.
Bell ringer keeps Rome churches in harmony
When a pope is elected, we will first see white smoke. Then, we will hear the bells from all over Rome sounding in unison. Maurice DuBois met the man who will make it happen.
Breaking down the first day of papal conclave
Catholic cardinal electors from six continents gathered inside the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican to select a new pope. After the first round of voting, black smoke was seen rising from the Sistine Chapel as night fell in Rome, indicating they have not yet agreed on a choice for the next pontiff. Maurice DuBois reports and Crux editor John Allen joins to discuss.
Americans in Rome share hopes for next pope
"CBS Evening News" co-anchor Maurice DuBois speaks to Americans outside of the Vatican as the papal conclave begins on Wednesday.
Americans visiting Rome describe what they want in next pope
American Catholics who traveled to Rome spoke to "CBS Mornings" about what they want the next pope to represent as they prepare to witness history.
At 2025 papal conclave, some contentious issues await the new pope
Should the Catholic Church welcome gay families? Should it welcome women at the altar? As 133 cardinals prepare for the 2025 conclave, they will decide.
Cardinals hold final mass before conclave
Catholic cardinal electors from five continents began Wednesday with a final mass before the start of the conclave to elect a new pope to lead the Catholic Church. CBS News senior foreign correspondent Seth Doane has more on what to expect. Rev. Msgr. Richard B. Hilgartner, a pastor at the Archdiocese of Baltimore, also joins to discuss the conclave process.
What American Catholics want in the next pope
A new CBS News poll shows 42% of U.S. Catholics think the next pope should continue Pope Francis' teachings. "CBS Mornings" co-host Tony Dokoupil spoke with some Americans who are in Rome about what they want to see in the next leader of the Catholic Church.
Potential pope candidates as conclave begins
The papal conclave meets to begin the process of picking Pope Francis' successor. CBS News polling shows American Catholics overwhelmingly approved of how Pope Francis led the church, but they're split on where to go next. CBS News' Seth Doane has more.
What to know about the papal conclave
CBS News papal contributor Francis Rocca, who has covered the Vatican for more than 15 years, breaks down the process of electing the next pope and what the cardinals are considering as they cast their votes.
What will the papal conclave look like?
133 Catholic cardinal electors will gather in Vatican City for a conclave beginning Wednesday to choose the next pope. CBS News foreign correspondent Chris Livesay has more.
What do Catholics want in their next pope?
The conclave to elect the next pope is opening soon. A new CBS News poll indicates most U.S. Catholics would like to see another like Pope Francis. "CBS Evening News" co-anchor Maurice DuBois sampled opinions in Rome. Then, Seth Doane reports on what names are being floated.
American Catholics polled on conclave
Cardinals in Vatican City are set to pick the next pope in a conclave that starts on Wednesday. CBS News executive director of elections and surveys Anthony Salvanto has new polling on how Catholics feel about the upcoming papal elections.
What U.S. Catholics are looking for in the next pope — CBS News poll
Pope Francis leaves a Catholic Church seen as more in touch.
Previewing the conclave to pick the next pope
The process of electing the next pope begins Wednesday in Vatican City with the voting members of the College of Cardinals sequestered inside the Sistine Chapel and cut off from the outside world until they make their choice. CBS News papal contributor Francis X. Rocca has more.
What to expect on Day 1 of the papal conclave
CBS News papal news contributor Candida Moss joins CBS News 24/7 to give us a preview ahead of the papal conclave to elect a new pope.
Conclave set to meet to choose next pope
A conclave of 133 cardinals is set to meet on Wednesday in the Sistine Chapel. They will decide who will be the next pope to lead the world's 1.4 billion Catholics and guide on major issues in the church, such as the role of women and LGBTQ inclusion.
How the Vatican prepared for conclave
The Vatican is prepared to receive more than 100 cardinals who will participate in the conclave to pick Pope Francis' successor as the leader of the Catholic Church. CBS News' Chris Livesay reports.
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