With the passing of Pope Francis, the Roman Catholic Church is preparing to choose its next spiritual leader, a decision that could shape the future of over a billion followers worldwide. As the world turns its eyes to the smoke rising from the Sistine Chapel,

The first thing the new pope will do is choose a name. In the history of the papacy, the most commonly used name has been John, first chosen in 523 by Saint John I, the Vatican says. The last pope to choose that name was Italian Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli, elected Pope John XXIII, in 1958. Roncalli was proclaimed a saint by Pope Francis in 2014.

the Catholic Church is looking to the future. The papal conclave got underway Wednesday afternoon in Rome, with 133 cardinal electors tasked with choosing Francis' successor. The question now ...

After a pope dies, the College of Cardinals assumes governance of the Catholic Church. These cardinals, chosen by popes, serve countries around the world. Only cardinals under the age of 80 can be electors. The conclave that begins May 7 will have 133 ...

A papal conclave is set to begin in Vatican City starting May 7, during which cardinals from around the world will elect the next leader of the Roman Catholic church. The tradition occurs any time a pope dies or resigns from the office. Pope Francis died April 21, the day after Easter.

Omaha native Blase Cupich is back in the States after attending the conclave in Rome last week. He's one of the 251 cardinals in the world. Sign up for our Newsletters Cupich spent six years working with Robert Prevost,

For the first time, the majority of cardinals to choose a pope are not from Europe, as Catholic demographics shift. But Europe remains the largest source of cardinals.

Born in the U.S., forged in Peru, chosen in Rome, Leo XIV will helm a church facing debt, division and decline