CONCLAVE 101: How is a new pope selected? Plus, Pope Francis's life in photos

Plus, Remembering Pope Francis  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌   ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌   ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌   ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌   ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌   ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌   ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌   ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌   ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ 

SEE PHOTOS FROM THE POPE'S PONTIFICATE VIEW ONLINE It's time for a conclave Photograph by Andrew Medichini, AP Photo Intrigue, fashion, humility, faith—133 cardinal electors have descended on Rome to choose a new pope and their every move and motive is being scrutinized. READ MORE Photograph by Peter Macdiarmid, Getty Images How a new pope is elected Who gets a vote? What do those smoke signals mean? And is there really as much intrigue as depicted in Hollywood? Here's what you need to know about papal succession. READ MORE remembering pope francis PHOTOGRAPH BY OZAN KOSE, AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES HIS LIFE IN PHOTOS During his 12-year pontificate, Francis carried his faith throughout scores of nations. His humanistic message resonated with billions of people worldwide, and he did not cower from criticizing the powerful. Here's a look at his journey in images. SEE THE PHOTOS HOW HE LED—AND HIS IMPACT PHOTOGRAPH BY DAVE YODER, NAT GEO IMAGE COLLECTION Each morning Pope Francis awoke before dawn in his modest accommodation at Casa Santa Marta, the Vatican guest­house. As day broke, Pope Francis prayed and meditated before delivering a homily at morning Mass. Here's how Francis led the world's Catholics—day by day, in intimate detail. SEE THE PHOTOS MORE COVERAGE 10 of Pope Francis's Most Provocative Quotes Rome is teeming with mysterious crypts filled with popes—and secrets From 2013: Inside Casa Santa Marta, Pope Francis's new digs READ OUR LATEST STORIES SHOP DONATE SUBSCRIBE Clicking on the Facebook, Instagram, and National Geographic Channel links will take you away from our National Geographic Partners site where different terms of use and privacy policy apply. This email was sent to: 012049@gmail.com. Please do not reply to this email as this address is not monitored. This email contains an advertisement from: National Geographic | 1145 17th Street, N.W. | Washington, D.C. 20036 Stop all types of future commercial email from National Geographic regarding its products, services, or experiences. Manage all email preferences with the Walt Disney Family of Companies. © 2025 National Geographic Partners, LLC, All rights reserved.