Times have changed since then. The Sistine Chapel serves as the seat of the papal conclave since 1878 and has become a popular site for tourists, welcoming millions of visitors every year.

Vatican workers have installed a stove in the Sistine Chapel to burn ballots during the conclave to elect a new pope, set to begin Wednesday (May 7). The installation is part of preparations for ...

Vatican seagull awaits papal conclave's decision A seagull was spotted several times on the roof of the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday, near the chimney where smoke will let onlookers know if a new ...

Black smoke poured out of the Sistine Chapel chimney on Wednesday, signalling that no pope had been elected as 133 cardinals opened the secretive, centuries-old ritual to choose a new leader of ...

The 133 Catholic Cardinals have entered into the Sistine Chapel as part of the ongoing Conclave to elect a new Pope. The Cardinals entered the Sistine Chapel under the supervision of Michelangelo ...

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Black smoke is pouring out of the Sistine Chapel chimney, indicating no pope was elected on the first ballot of the conclave to choose a new leader of the Catholic Church.

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Black smoke poured out of the Sistine Chapel chimney on Wednesday, signaling that no pope had been elected as 133 cardinals opened the secretive, centuries-old ritual to ...

Millions may feel involved in the conclave, but only 115 will vote. March 10, 2013— -- When white smoke billows out of the Sistine Chapel's chimney, the centuries-old signal that a new pope ...

As the papal conclave is set to begin to elect a new pope, the eyes of the world are on the Sistine Chapel, which will hold the Catholic cardinals as they cast their votes for the next leader of ...