The Argentine pontiff’s style and origins are new but his ideas are conservative
Journalism
Pope Francis: a man of joy and humility, or harsh and unbending?
Conflicting accounts of the former Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio’s character have emerged since his election
Parliamentary gridlock in Italy as Five Star Movement refuses to make deal
Decision by movement founded by comedian Beppe Grillo not to form coalition with left or right raises fears for Italy’s future
Pope Francis elected as 266th Roman Catholic pontiff
Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio takes name of Francis after accepting his election as 266th head of Roman Catholic church
New pope elected after two days of conclave
White smoke has flowed from the chimney above the Sistine Chapel – but the pontiff’s name has yet to be announced
Black smoke reveals no new pope yet from first papal conclave vote
Papal conclave in Rome fails to elect new leader as police raid dents chances of frontrunner Cardinal Angelo Scola
Papal conclave: anti-mafia police raid offices in diocese of frontrunner
Cardinals urged to overcome divisions at special mass shortly after detectives mount dawn raids in diocese of Angelo Scola
Cardinals to begin papal conclave with no obvious favourite
Field remains open as Pope Benedict’s unexpected resignation leaves cardinals without any obvious ‘papabile’ leaders
Vatican report hidden from the cardinals electing the next pope
Before the conclave, Benedict XVI ordered an inquiry into Vatican leaks. Now the men who will choose his successor demand its full disclosure
Flocks and shepherds
As a conclave gathers to elect a pope, many in the Catholic church want change