David Muir looks back at the historic day American Cardinal Robert Prevost was announced as the next pope.

The smoke used to signify to the public whether a new pope has been elected is a centuries-old tradition that has been slightly modernized by the Catholic Church during recent conclaves.

A senior cardinal deacon, who stood on the balcony on the facade of St. Peter's Basilica, made the announcement.

Thousands cheered as white smoke was seen emanating from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, indicating that a two-thirds vote has been reached to elect the new pope.

The process of electing a new pope is a mix of tradition, pageantry and practical necessity.

Mountain Butorac speaks to ABC News’ James Longman about the process to elect a new pontiff.

Thick black smoke poured out of the Sistine Chapel’s chimney on Thursday morning, signaling the conclave’s 133 cardinals have not decided on a new pope yet.

ABC News’ Maggie Rulli reports as Catholics in Vatican City and around the world await news of a new pope.

Cardinals sequestered inside the Sistine Chapel gather to vote on the next pope who will lead the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.

With more than 61 million Catholics and the second-highest number of cardinals after Italy, a guessing game is emerging on whether an American could be elected pope.

After the death of Pope Francis on April 21, the question looming around the world is, who will become the next leader of the Roman Catholic Church? Experts weigh in.

Following the death of Pope Francis at the age of 88 on April 21, the selection process to elect the 267th pontiff will soon begin.

David Muir reports on some of the moving images from Day 1 of the historic conclave to elect a new pope.

ABC’s Maggie Rulli has more on the burgeoning betting market laying out the odds of who will become the next pope.

ABC News’ James Longman spoke with Cardinal Luis Cabrera Herrera on the attributes the cardinals will be looking for when electing the next pope.

Cardinals gather to elect the next pope, and millions are placing bets on the outcome worldwide. Inside Italy's viral Fantapapa game and tradition of papal betting.

A look at the numbers behind how the ritual of choosing the next pope has played out over the millennia right up until today where 4,000 security personnel hope to keep the process smooth and safe.

David Muir reports on the historic conclave ritual and the tens of thousands who gathered to see the first smoke billowing over the Sistine Chapel.

Helen Alvaré, a George Mason University professor, ABC News contributor and Vatican consultant, reflects on Pope Francis' legacy and what he might have hoped for the future of the Catholic Church.

Black smoke billows over the Sistine Chapel, signaling a new pope has not been elected.

The papal conclave, the secretive election process to elect the next leader of the Roman Catholic Church, commenced on Wednesday.

“GMA” looks at the centuries-old traditions, intricate voting process and more as cardinals gather to elect the next pope.

ABC News contributor Colleen Dulle explains the “prayerful process” to elect the next pontiff.

Catholic cardinals are gathering at the Vatican to elect the successor to Pope Francis, who died on April 21.

ABC News’ Maggie Rulli visited Vatican City, where a family-owned business is sending handmade rosaries all over the world — some of which could potentially be used inside the conclave.

The master of ceremonies has called "extra omnes" -- ordering all those who are not cardinal electors to exit the Sistine Chapel prior to the start of the conclave.

The movie "Conclave" depicts the process by which a new pope is elected.

On Wednesday, 133 of the eligible cardinals will process into the Sistine Chapel for the sacred and secretive ritual to elect a new pope.

The 133 cardinals take the oath as a group to ensure the secrecy of the conclave.

A total of 133 eligible cardinals left the Pauline Chapel in a processional headed toward the Sistine Chapel.

ABC News contributors Helen Alvaré and Gloria Purvis discuss the secrecy behind the ritual to find the next pontiff.

ABC News’ Maggie Rulli reports from St. Peter’s Square where the faithful are gathering as the conclave begins in Vatican City to select Pope Francis’ successor. 

ABC News’ Ines De La Cuetara spoke with three cardinals about the challenges the new pontiff might face, while providing glimpses of the election process.

On the eve of the ancient conclave to elect the next pope, more than 100 cardinals met for one last time before entering the Sistine Chapel and taking their oath to secrecy.

Ashley McGuire of the Catholic Association wrote an op-ed in USA Today addressing the fact that the pope can only be male.

Clerics, cardinals and Vatican staff have all taken an oath of secrecy before the college of cardinals meets in the Sistine Chapel to choose a successor for Pope Francis to lead the Catholic Church.

All eyes are on Vatican City Tuesday with just over a day to go until the start of the papal conclave to elect the 267th pope.

ABC News’ James Longman and America magazine reporter Colleen Dulle discuss the cardinal electors who will be voting for the next pontiff in the papal conclave.

Cardinal Luis Tagle, the archbishop of Manila in the Philippines, was appointed by Pope Francis to an office in the Vatican that focuses on evangelization. ABC News' Britt Clennett reports.

A look at the numbers behind the global flourishing study that includes more than 200,000 people across 22 countries.

With just under 48 hours until the first votes are cast by the College of Cardinals, the final preparations are underway for both the conclave and the pontiff that will succeed Pope Francis.

President Donald Trump posted an AI-generated image of himself dressed as the pope. The post has since received criticism from some members of the Catholic community.

ABC News contributor Helen Alvaré discusses the secrecy behind the ritual to find the next pontiff.

President Donald Trump posted an AI-generated image of himself dressed as the pope. The post has since received criticism from some members of the Catholic community.

ABC News contributor Father James Martin discusses the characteristics that cardinals might be looking for in the next pope.

Workers installed two stoves where ballots will be burned as the cardinals vote on a new pope in an election that is scheduled to begin on Wednesday.

Two cardinals, Michael Czerny and Chibly Langlois, sat down with ABC News to discuss the challenges facing the church that the new pope will have to face.

ABCs’ Ines De La Cuetara reported on the countdown to the Conclave as the mourning period in the death of Pope Francis ends.

The conclave is expected to start the selection of the new pope on May 7.

ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos interviews Father James Martin on “This Week.”