Times have changed since then. The Sistine Chapel serves as the seat of the papal conclave since 1878 and has become a popular site for tourists, welcoming millions of visitors every year.

The hymn implores the saints to help the cardinals find a new leader of the 1.4 billion-strong Catholic Church. Cardinals are preparing to enter the Sistine Chapel. Here’s what will happen inside ...

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Black smoke was pouring out of the Sistine Chapel chimney, indicating no pope was elected on the first ballot of the conclave to choose a new leader of the Catholic Church ...

Black smoke poured out of the Sistine Chapel chimney on Wednesday, signalling that no pope had been elected as 133 cardinals opened the secretive, centuries-old ritual to choose a new leader of ...

White smoke billows from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel during the conclave to elect a new pope, at the Vatican, Thursday, May 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini) By Associated Press ...

The renowned Sistine Chapel is a chapel within the Apostolic Palace, which is the pope's official residence in Vatican City. Although, it was not always known by that name.

VATICAN CITY (AP) — More than 130 Catholic cardinals on Wednesday began the secretive, centuries-old ritual to elect a successor to Pope Francis, opening the most geographically diverse conclave ...