A nun prays in St. Peter's Square as the College of Cardinals holds a pre-conclave Mass inside the basilica to prepare for the election of Pope Benedict XVI’s successor. Outside, pilgrims gather to watch the Mass on large screens as the world waits.
'Habamas Papam'
Emma Connaughton, 20, and Joshua Walden, 21, of Northampton, England, embrace in St. Peter's Square as cardinals gather in Rome to set a date for the conclave to elect Pope Benedict XVI’s successor.
A man holds a rosary as he prays in St. Peter's Square.
A nun prays outside St. Peter's Basilica as cardinals hold a pre-conclave Mass inside, preparing to elect Pope Benedict XVI’s successor.
As cardinals continue their General Congregations ahead of the conclave, visitors gather in St. Peter's Square on March 6, 2013.
People stand in St. Peter's Square shortly after the chimney which will signal to the world the election of a new pope was installed on the top of the Sistine Chapel. As the chimney was raised, applause and cheers filled the square as many gathered, anxiously awaiting the upcoming conclave.
Member of the Swiss Guard stand watch at St. Peter's Basilica as cardinals gather to begin the conclave to elect Pope Benedict XVI’s successor.
A man walks through St Peter's Square at the Vatican on the eve of the start of the conclave.
Canadian Cardinal Thomas Collins is escorted by police through St. Peter's Square after the final general congregation meeting, on the eve of the conclave to elect Pope Benedict XVI’s successor. Collins was rumored to be a potential candidate for pope.
A couple embraces in St. Peter's Square.
A pilgrim kneels in the rain in St. Peter's Square as the College of Cardinals celebrates Mass in St. Peter's Basilica on the first day of the conclave to elect Pope Benedict XVI’s successor.
Nuns stand in St. Peter's Square, huddled beneath umbrellas, as they join thousands of others keeping watch on the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel on March 13, 2013, waiting for the Cardinals to choose a successor to Pope Benedict XVI.
Crowds fill St. Peter's Square, watching the Sistine Chapel chimney for smoke signaling the outcome of the Cardinals' vote.
As the College of Cardinals fills the balconies of St. Peter's Basilica and thousands of pilgrims crowd the square and surrounding streets, Pope Francis addresses the public for the first time as the 266th pontiff in the Catholic Church’s 2,000-year history.
People react as white smoke rises from the Sistine Chapel chimney and bells ring out, signaling the election of a new pope by the College of Cardinals.