Catholic Church

Vatican City, May 7 — The ancient ritual to elect a new pope began today as 133 cardinal-electors gathered inside the Sistine Chapel following the death of Pope Francis on April 21. The conclave, conducted in strict secrecy, will choose the next leader of the world’s 1.3 billion Catholics.Each round of voting will continue until a cardinal secures a two-thirds majority. When a new pope is chosen, white smoke will rise above the chapel, signaling the decision to the world. Until then, black smoke will mark inconclusive rounds.While attention focuses on the successor to Pope Francis, the moment also revives…