While no clear successor to Pope Francis has been named, traditionally the pope has been picked from within the College of Cardinals. The last time the cardinals reached outside their ranks was in ...

Like his predecessors, Pope Francis was selected using an age-old method — a system known as the Papal conclave.

VATICAN CITY, — Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church for the past 12 years, has died at age 88. The head of the Catholic Church died Monday morning at 7:35 a.m. He had been the pope for 12 ...

Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina, became the pope 12 years ago. He was elected pope by a conclave of 115 people on March 13, 2013.