While Francis kept open the possibility, and even had a resignation letter prepared, he said more recently that he believed ...

While Francis kept open the possibility, and even had a resignation letter prepared, he said more recently that he believed that the papacy was for life. And he ultimately lived out that belief, ...

Pope Francis was elected following the shocking resignation of Pope Benedict XVI in 2013. It was the first time in 600 years ...

Pope Benedict XVI's historic resignation in 2013 paved the way for Pope Francis's election, sparking ongoing comparisons ...

Pope Francis himself helped rewrite the funeral rituals after the death of his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI.

Pope Benedict XVI was the first in 600 years to retire, rather than die in office. Born April 16, 1927, in Marktl am Inn, ...

For centuries, the role has gone to a member of the College of Cardinals – and almost always to an Italian. Might we soon ...

VATICAN CITY (AP) — A popular saying in Vatican circles is that if you “enter a conclave as pope, you leave as a cardinal.” ...

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

Now, as tradition dictates, the late pontiff's signet ring will be destroyed - or defaced, at least - within the walls of the ...

Pope Francis probably expected that he would face opposition to his reform agenda after Catholics for two generations grew ...