SMOKE SIGNAL — In just a few hours, 133 men will pray, convene and begin a series of votes that could shape the course of human history. So will begin the much-awaited conclave to select the successor ...

The Vatican is streaming live views of St. Peter's Square on its YouTube channel, NBC offers a "smoke cam" and CNN created a 3D visualization.

The papacy is not the presidency. The conclave is not a campaign. Understanding the future of the Catholic Church requires ...