Certain rites and rituals follow the death of a Pope, including tapping his forehead with a silver hammer. It is the camerlengo's duty to perform the rite, administering three gentle taps on the ...

ROME — The first clue of the next pope’s direction ... in the 1st century. PIUS: It is associated with popes known for their traditionalist, anti-reform bent. Pius IX ordered the kidnapping ...

The Pope played a major role in ending communism in Eastern Europe, including Poland, his home country. Serving 31 years, 7 months, and 23 days, or a total of 11,560 days, Pope Pius IX was the ...

ROME, Italy — The first clue of the next pope's direction ... the 1st century. PIUS: It is associated with popes known for their traditionalist, anti-reform bent. Pius IX ordered the kidnapping ...