News/International

VATICAN CITY - Basilian Father Thomas Rosica is a busy man these days.

What happens when cardinals elect a pope

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VATICAN CITY - The 115 cardinals participating in the conclave will know the identity of the new pope before the rest of the world, but their advance knowledge is likely to last for well over an hour, and even more in the unlikely event that the candidate they choose is not in the Sistine Chapel with them.

Cardinals complete pre-conclave meetings, voting begins on Tuesday

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Rome - Cardinals exited the final session of their pre-conclave discussions on the state of the Church just before 1:00 p.m. on Monday. Canadian Cardinal Marc Ouellet smiled and waved to reporters as he strolled through St. Peter's Square and then to lunch.

In digital age, Vatican sticks with smoke, bells to announce results

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VATICAN CITY - Though the Vatican has become increasingly savvy with more modern forms of communication, it's still sticking with more primitive methods -- swirling smoke and tolling bells -- to announce whether a new pope has been elected.

Cardinals end pre-conclave meetings, hear report on Vatican bank

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VATICAN CITY - During their last meeting before entering the conclave to elect a new pope, the world's cardinals heard a report on the Vatican bank and continuing efforts to comply with international standards to prevent money laundering and the funding of terrorism.

Conclave is about prayer, not secrecy, says Collins

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Updated 03/11/13 - Corrections

ROME - The process of picking a pope so far has been something like a synod and something like a retreat, said Toronto's Cardinal Thomas Collins just before celebrating Sunday Mass at his titular church in Rome.

Conclave to begin Tuesday

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With just one more session of meetings to go, the cardinals who have gathered in Rome have decided to lock themselves in the Sistine Chapel and start the conclave to choose a new pope on Tuesday, March 12.

Ouellet a pastoral man faithful to his Church

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Mixed reactions on potential pope, but most agree he is a holy man

Conclave not just an election, it's a liturgy

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Updated 03/11/13 - Updates throughout

ROME - Elections are conducted differently in every country. Brazil insists on electronic voting machines while Canada sticks with paper ballots. In North Korea there's just one candidate and in Kenya half the population is running.

Global challenges await successor to Benedict

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VATICAN CITY - Like the rest of the world's 1.2 billion Catholics, including the 5,100 bishops and 412,000 priests, the Pope exercises what the Catechism of the Catholic Church calls his "baptismal priesthood" by participating in "Christ's mission as priest, prophet and king."