When white smoke billowed out of the Sistine Chapel last May, NCR's former Vatican correspondent Christopher White was there.

Smoke signals have occurred at mid-morning, noon, mid-afternoon and evening. The longest conclave took three years.

Editor's Note: This page is a summary of news for the first day of the conclave on Wednesday, May 7. For the latest news and updates from the papal conclave, read USA TODAY's live updates for Thursday ...

Some 133 Catholic cardinals will gather to elect a successor to Pope Francis following his death on April 21. | World News ...