When the cardinals enter the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday at the start of conclave, the process of electing a new pope, they will be sealed off from the world.

A papal conclave blends the political and the spiritual, cardinals and theologians say. Here, in Catholic belief, is how the Holy Spirit fits in.

Cardinals meet to elect Pope Francis’ successor—will the Church continue his inclusive legacy or return to a more conservative path?

Fr. Kyle Doustou, a pastor in Old Town and soon to be Vicar General for the Diocese of Portland, sat down with Maine's Total Coverage to explain the process of selecting the next Pope.

Cardinals who will take part in the secret conclave to elect a new Catholic pope began checking into two Vatican hotels on Tuesday, where they will be barred from contact with the outside world as they decide who should succeed Pope Francis.