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Pope Leo XIV was elected by cardinals to lead the world's 1.4 billion Catholics yesterday

Pope Leo XIV has mixed record on abuse, says campaigners

One of the most pressing issues facing Pope Leo XIV is tackling sexual abuse by clergy in the Catholic Church - and campaigners say he has a mixed record.

World • 09 May

Reportedly reserved by nature, quiet 'not a show pony', as one friend told TV news, the new Pope does not sound like someone who wants to take on the US President in public

How will the 267th Pope deal with the 47th US President?

People used to say that only Richard Nixon could go to China, so maybe only an American Pope can act as a moral check on the US President and his MAGA movement's most extreme positions, writes Sean Whelan.

Analysis and Comment • 09 May

The crowd in St Peter's Square listens to the new Pope's first address

'Peace be with you': First speech of a new Papacy

World • 08 May

A woman reacts after white smoke rose from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel

In Pictures: A day of emotion and joy in Rome

Cardinal Robert Prevost, a surprise choice, is the new leader of the Catholic Church. Leo XIV is the first US pontiff.

New Pope • 08 May

The Zucchetto cap and sash of the future pope

What's in a name for a newly elected pope?

As the Catholic world awaits the appearance of the new Pope on the balcony of St Peter's Basilica, there will be speculation about the name that he will choose.

Conclave • 08 May

The Sistine Chapel prepared ahead of the start of the conclave yesterday

Day two of conclave pivotal as serious voting begins

Analysis and Comment • 08 May

A seagull, perched on the roof the Sistine Chapel, provided some relief for eager crowds

Seagulls provide levity during conclave at Sistine Chapel

Seagulls have found themselves in starring roles since the live streaming of the Sistine Chapel chimney began at the 2005 conclave, writes Ailbhe Conneely.

Analysis and Comment • 08 May

Pope Leo appeared on the central balcony of St Peter's Basilica around 70 minutes after white smoke billowed from a chimney atop the Sistine Chapel

Prevost surprises as first US pope, takes name Leo XIV

Cardinal Robert Prevost, a little known missionary from Chicago, was elected as a surprise choice to be the new leader of the Catholic Church, becoming the first US pope and taking the name Leo XIV.

New Pope • 08 May

Cardinals attend a mass for the Election of the Roman Pontiff, prior to the start of the conclave, at St Peter's Basilica

By the numbers: The arithmetic behind the papal conclave

The Vatican's papal conclave to choose a new spiritual leader for the world's 1.4 billion Catholics is governed by procedures and rituals that have evolved over centuries, but the result of the election will be influenced by arithmetic unique to this year's conclave

Conclave • 07 May

Ann-Marie O'Doherty from Co Donegal hopes Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle will be the next pope

Irish at conclave on what they want to see in new pope

The election of a new pope starts today, with cardinals from around the world set to begin the process of voting. Many people are coming here in anticipation of the election of a new pope - and some of those people are Irish.

Conclave • 07 May

As it happened: First vote of conclave yields no pope

Follow live updates as they happened Roman Catholic cardinals take part in the process to elect a successor to Pope Francis.

Conclave • 07 May

133 cardinals will cast their votes in the Sistine Chapel during the conclave

16 potential successors to Pope Francis

With no official campaigning or list of candidates and the election process shrouded in secrecy, speculation about who will succeed Pope Francis after the conclave beginning this week remains just that - speculation.

Conclave • 07 May

There will be a procession to the Sistine Chapel where cardinal electors will take an oath to faithfully fulfill the role as pope if chosen

Cardinal electors face monumental task at conclave

There is a monumental task facing cardinal electors in the coming days choosing the next spiritual leader of the 1.4 billion Catholic faithful worldwide.

Analysis and Comment • 07 May

People from around the world will be looking out for plumes of white smoke from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel

How does the Vatican make black and white smoke?

As the conclave to elect a successor to Pope Francis begins, cardinals will be voting multiple times per day until a two-thirds majority vote is reached.

Conclave • 08 May

Black smoke has emerged from the Sistine Chapel chimney, signalling no new pope has been elected

Black smoke signals no pope elected in first vote

Black smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel this evening, signalling an inconclusive first vote by cardinals locked in the Sistine Chapel in a conclave to elect a new pope to guide the Roman Catholic Church.

Conclave • 07 May

76-year-old Cardinal Peter Turkson was made cardinal in 2003 by Pope John Paul II

Africa's Cardinal Turkson continent's papal frontrunner

Ghana's Cardinal Peter Turkson is seen as one of the Church's most influential men from Africa, where Christianity is quickly growing - and which some believe could be the birthplace of the next pope.

Conclave • 06 May

79-year-old Cardinal Robert Sarah is one of the oldest cardinals taking part in the conclave

Robert Sarah leads conservatives who challenged Francis

Outspoken on same-sex blessings and immigration, Robert Sarah of Guinea is a leading figure among conservative Catholic cardinals seeking a break with the late Pope Francis.

Conclave • 06 May

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle is known for his missionary spirit and pastoral focus

Luis Antonio Tagle - Papal contender from Asia

Asia's front-runner for the papacy, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of the Philippines is a charismatic moderate often dubbed the "Asian Francis".

Conclave • 06 May

Maltese Cardinal Mario Grech, 68, was appointed Synod chief in 2020

Mario Grech - Maltese cardinal an empowerment czar

Maltese Cardinal Mario Grech, who played a key role in Pope Francis's efforts to empower ordinary Catholics, is a peace broker and potential compromise candidate for the papacy.

Conclave • 06 May

Anders Arborelius is the first Swedish Catholic bishop since the Protestant Reformation

Anders Arborelius - Swedish cardinal a Catholic convert

Sweden's first cardinal, Anders Arborelius, is a convert to Catholicism in the overwhelmingly Protestant Scandinavian country, which is home to one of the world's most secularised societies

Conclave • 06 May

Cardinal Pietro Parolin was the Vatican's effective number two for almost the entire Francis pontificate

Pietro Parolin - career diplomat leading race to be pope

A seasoned diplomat who worked with Pope Francis for 12 years, Cardinal Pietro Parolin is well-known in Rome and abroad, and a serious contender to be the next pontiff.

Conclave • 06 May

Italian Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa is known for both his stubbornness and spirit of sacrifice

Pierbattista Pizzaballa - 'humble priest' in Middle East

Italian Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, a skilled diplomat from humble origins, is the Catholic Church's highest-ranking official in Jerusalem, where he walks a fine line between opposing factions in the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Conclave • 06 May

Zuppi was made a cardinal by Francis in 2019

Matteo Zuppi - a diplomat and 'progressive' cardinal

Italian Cardinal Matteo Zuppi is a discreet 69-year-old diplomat with a progressive stance who was entrusted by Pope Francis to lead sensitive peace missions in Ukraine and Russia.

Conclave • 06 May

Cardinal Aveline is a member of the Dicastery for Bishops and the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue

Jean-Marc Aveline - a defender of migrants in Marseille

Jean-Marc Aveline, the Archbishop of Marseille, is a 66-year-old cardinal who, like Pope Francis, has been a voice for welcoming migrants and promoting interreligious dialogue.

Conclave • 06 May

Once a new pope is chosen, a chemical is added to turn the smoke that billows out of the Sistine Chapel chimney white, announcing the election to the crowd waiting in St Peter's Square below

Electing a new pope: glossary of key terms

Cardinals will gather on 7 May in a conclave in the Vatican's Sistine Chapel to elect a new pope. Here is a brief glossary of the event's key terms:

World • 07 May