CNA Staff, May 6, 2025 / 06:00 am. All eyes have turned to Vatican City as the conclave to elect Pope Francis’ successor is set to begin May 7.

Black smoke as Vatican conclave fails to elect new pope on first ballot. Tens of thousands of people gathered in Vatican City’s St Peter’s Square as cardinals voted in first ballot.

The Vatican is the smallest independent state in the world and residence of the spiritual leadership of the Roman Catholic Church. Its territory is surrounded by the Italian capital city Rome, and ...