VATICAN CITY - The cardinals chose a seasoned pastor in Jorge Bergoglio of Argentina who would draw followers to the faith and help rebuild a church stained by scandal
VATICAN CITY - Before cardinals start voting for a new pope, they will swear an oath of secrecy in the Sistine Chapel. It will be administered by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the conclave's presiding cardinal. After he reads it, each cardinal elector will touch the Holy Gospels and 'promise, pledge and swear' to uphold the oath.
VATICAN CITY - The conclave to elect a new pope begins Tuesday at the Vatican. The voting process follows a set ritual every day until the Catholic Church has a new leader. Here is an approximate schedule. Local time listed first.