conclave
New pope means new business for recession-weary Rome
By Alessandro Speciale — March 18, 2013
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Just minutes after Pope Francis finished introducing himself to the crowd in St. Peter's Square on March 13, a woman perusing the shelves of a tourist shop just outside the squared asked the storekeeper, ``When will you have souvenirs of the new pope?''
Loss of papacy leaves some Italians grumbling
By Eric J. Lyman — March 18, 2013
ROME (RNS) "With each conclave, fewer and fewer people will even remember when there was an Italian pope," says La Stampa's Giacomo Galeazzi.
Pope Francis signals new course for the papacy
By David Gibson — March 18, 2013
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Ahead of his formal installation on Tuesday, Pope Francis is continuing to send clear signals that he intends to lead a papacy markedly different from his predecessor’s reign -- and perhaps different from that of any other pope in modern times.
Pope Francis explains why he chose his name, urges a ‘church of the poor’
By David Gibson — March 16, 2013
The new pontiff explains his choice of name in off-the-cuff remarks to journalists on Saturday, and emphasizes care of the environment. He also gives them only a silent blessing in respect for non-Catholics and nonbelievers, potentially a controversial move.
The story behind Pope Francis’ election
By David Gibson — March 15, 2013
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Everything about a conclave is supposed to be secret, but there are always leaks afterwards, and even broad hints from the cardinals about how a pope was elected. This time is no different.
Pope Francis has a long to-do list, and it starts with the Curia
By David Gibson — March 14, 2013
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Naming yourself after St. Francis of Assisi is one thing. Running the Vatican is another. And taming the Vatican bureaucracy is likely to be one of Pope Francis' most difficult assignments.
Bergoglio: A pope of paradox for a church in transition
By David Gibson — March 13, 2013
VATICAN CITY (RNS) A hierarchy looking to make a clear statement about where the troubled church is headed chose on Wednesday (March 13) the first member of the influential Jesuit order to be the next pope. Yet they also chose a humble man who lives simply and took the name Francis (also a first) that evokes the founder of another great religious order.
Argentine Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio elected as Pope Francis
By Alessandro Speciale — March 13, 2013
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Argentinian Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected as Pope Francis on Wednesday after only two days of voting in the conclave tasked with choosing a successor to Pope Benedict XVI.
David Gibson talking to NPR about the ‘Sweet Sistine’
By Sally Morrow — March 12, 2013
Religion News Service reporter David Gibson was interviewed on NPR’s Here and Now about our Sweet Sistine “Pope Madness” tournament. Audio courtesy Here and Now http://soundcloud.com/hereandnowradio/religion-news-service-holds
Photo gallery: Rome prepares for a papal conclave
By Sally Morrow — March 12, 2013
The conclave to elect a new pope began on Tuesday (March 12) and Catholics gathered for Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican. Religion News Service photos by Andrea Sabbadini Click any image below to view photo slideshow.
Black smoke: First day of conclave ends without new pope
By Alessandro Speciale — March 12, 2013
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Black smoke from the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel signaled that the first day of the conclave ended without the election of a new pope.
Wanted: CEO pope to clean up unholy mess at Vatican
By Cathy Lynn Grossman — March 12, 2013
(RNS) The Catholic Church needs a strong manager to govern Vatican bureaucratic chaos. Who are cardinals who could crack the whip?
ANALYSIS: Papal election is anyone’s to win … or lose
By David Gibson — March 12, 2013
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Everyone gathered around the papal conclave had theories, many had favorites, and most declared it all so unpredictable that the winner – or even how long it would take to find him – was anybody’s guess.
What’s in a name? For a new pope, quite a bit
By Caleb K. Bell — March 12, 2013
(RNS) No one knows what name the next pope will pick. But choosing a new moniker is a decision that's tied up in history, tradition and more than a little symbolic value.
Vatican makes final preparations for papal conclave
By Alessandro Speciale — March 11, 2013
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Pope Benedict XVI's former personal secretary will return to Rome to assist the opening of the papal election in the Sistine Chapel, highlighting the unprecedented situation created by the resignation of a living pope.
