Smoke signals have occurred at mid-morning, noon, mid-afternoon and evening. The longest conclave took three years.

More than 130 cardinals from all over the world are gathering today for the papal conclave, through which a new head of the Catholic Church is elected.

Cardinal electors have withdrawn to pray, deliberate and cast votes in secret elections. The proceedingss are set to continue Thursday.

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Tens of thousands of people gathered in Vatican City’s St Peter’s Square as cardinals voted in first ballot. Black smoke rises from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel signalling that cardinals ...

Black smoke has appeared from a chimney atop the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican for a second day, signalling that cardinals meeting in a secret conclave did not elect a new pope during their two ...

With no candidate securing the necessary two-thirds majority, or 89 votes, the world will need to wait longer for a new leader of the Catholic Church.

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Black smoke poured out of the Sistine Chapel chimney on Wednesday, signalling that no pope had been elected as 133 cardinals opened the secretive, centuries-old ritual to choose a ...

The Vatican eventually sought to clarify matters by formalising the practice of fumata nera (black smoke) and fumata bianca (white smoke). Initially, damp straw and tar were added to the burning ...

Multiple rounds of voting likely will be required before a candidate emerges with the two-thirds majority required to become ...

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

Only one voting session is permitted on the first day. After that, voting sessions occur twice in the morning and twice in the afternoon until a two-thirds majority has been reached for a candidate.