Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian
conclavelatest news & developments
CONCLAVE

White smoke signals new pope elected by cardinals

Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina has been elected pope to lead the Roman Catholic Church, and has taken the name Pope Francis I.

  • Crispian Balmer
2 min read
BIG BROTHER

Eight reasons the papal conclave is like Big Brother

Wondering why having rather eccentric people locked away incommunicado, while the rest of us watch on obsessively, seems familiar? Wonder no more.

  • Stuart Heritage
4 min read
Cardinals attend a mass at the St Peter’s basilica before the start of the conclave to elect the next pontiff.
CONCLAVE

‘Diverse opinions’ steer the election for the next pope

Roman Catholic cardinals prayed for divine help, hours before a conclave to elect a new pope to tackle the daunting problems facing the church.

  • Philip Pullella
  • Crispian Balmer
5 min read