This is a photo collection curated by AP photo editors.

Artists have captured the hidden world of papal elections for centuries, turning secrecy into spectacle for the public.

Among the regular pilgrims, tourists and assorted onlookers were groups of nuns. There are around 600,000 Catholic nuns ...

Robert Francis Prevost was chosen on Thursday, May 8, to succeed Pope Francis as the head of the Catholic Church.

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Cardinals returned to the Sistine Chapel on Thursday to resume voting for a new pope after the first ...

Here's how the conclave creates black and white smoke and why the Catholic Church began using them to signal whether a new pope has been elected.

An illustration of a magnifying glass. An illustration of a magnifying glass.

The Holy Communion is being distributed among the cardinals at the funeral of Pope Francis. Attendees receive communion wafers during late Pope Francis' funeral at St Peter's Square in the Vatican ...

Pope Francis' final journey concludes with a solemn and emotional ceremony. Watch the powerful moment as Holy Communion is distributed during the funeral mass, symbolizing the Last Supper and ...

An illustration of a magnifying glass. An illustration of a magnifying glass.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Peace be with you. And with your spirit. and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries. I confess to almighty God ...