From the majestic art to the white smoke, here's what to know about the Sistine Chapel, the sacred site of the conclave.

The Vatican is closing the Sistine Chapel to the public as part of preparations for the conclave to elect the next pope after ...

The Vatican has closed the Sistine Chapel, where cardinals will gather for the conclave to elect the next pope after the ...

As the Sistine Chapel closes its doors to prepare for one of the world’s most secretive and symbolically charged events, all eyes are on what happens next inside Michelangelo’s masterpiece as ...

After a nine-day mourning period, cardinals will gather to choose the next leader of the Catholic Church. View on euronews ...

For now, tourists are being turned away from one of Rome’s most iconic sites, as the Vatican transforms the chapel from a ...

FILE - This Dec. 10, 1999 file photo shows Michelangelo's fresco "La Creazione" ("The Creation") on the ceiling of the Vatican's Sistine Chapel. (AP Photo/Plinio Lepri) ...

VATICAN CITY — Exit tourists. Enter cardinals. The Vatican has closed the Sistine Chapel, where cardinals will gather for the conclave to elect the next pope after the death of Pope Francis on ...

Besides being the pope's main chapel, the Sistine Chapel has been the site of the conclave, the election that selects a new pope when there is a vacancy. About 135 cardinals will gather in the ...