When Pope Francis died in April on Easter Monday, the news triggered not only an outpouring of mourners but also a centuries-old tradition shrouded in secrecy: the papal conclave. Two weeks later 133 cardinal electors shuttered themselves inside Vatican City’s Sistine Chapel to select the next pope.

VATICAN CITY -- The temporary chimney atop the Sistine Chapel released a plume of white smoke on Thursday evening local time, signaling that the 133 cardinals working inside had reached a two-thirds majority to elect a new pope for the Catholic Church.

“Conclave” the film may have introduced moviegoers to the spectacular ritual and drama of a modern conclave, but the periodic voting to elect a new pope has been going on for centuries and created a whole genre of historical trivia. Here are some facts ...

Two cardinals in the Roman Catholic Church who will be voting in the upcoming papal conclave sat down with ABC News to discuss the challenges facing the church that the new pontiff will have to face and shared glimpses of the election process. Canadian ...

Whether you’re looking for a solo, couple or group option, these ideas will put you, we hope, in the running for “best costume” at your parish’s Halloween party.