Of the 252 cardinals at the Vatican, only 135 are eligible to vote ... He previously served as head of the Council of European Bishops' Conferences and has emphasized theological orthodoxy.

The papal conclave is private election held behind closed doors of Vatican City's Sistine Chapel, where 135 cardinals vote on who will serve as the next the head of the Catholic Church.

The quickest conclave observing the 10-day wait rule appears to have been the 1503 election of Pope Julius II, who was elected in just a few hours, according to Vatican historian Ambrogio Piazzoni.

with his selection of a council of cardinals to advise him on reform called the C9, and the establishment of a commission that included lay and ordained experts to help address the Vatican’s ...

Live updates: A new pope has been named: White smoke pours from Vatican. Watch: Video shows white smoke emerging from Sistine Chapel as Vatican roars with cheers ...

Update: White smoke poured from the chimney on top of the Sistine Chapel on Thursday afternoon at the Vatican, indicating that the cardinal electors in the conclave had chosen a new pope.

White smoke emerges from the chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel indicating that the College of Cardinals have elected a new Pope on March 13, 2013 in Vatican ... of the Council of European ...