Religion/ Spirituality

White smoke is pouring out the chimney of the Sistine Chapel ... so, the world officially has a new pope.

The smoke began coming out just moments ago ... and, the bells of the chapel have been rung -- two of the biggest indicators that leaders in the Catholic Church have chosen a new pope.

We don't know who it is yet ... but, Dominique Mamberti -- the senior cardinal deacon -- who should appear on St. Peter's Balcony to say "Habemus Papam" or "We have a pope" in Latin.

Pope Francis' death means the church needs to hold a conclave ... and, 'cause it's been more than a decade since the last one, some are looking to an Oscar-winning movie for a refresher.

According to Politico, a few Cardinals in the church are sitting down and watching "Conclave" starring Ralph Fiennes, Isabella Rossellini and Stanley Tucci ... just to pick up a few pointers before the real thing kicks off.

The last conclave was held in 2013, when Pope Francis was chosen after two days and multiple ballots ... and, many clerics in the church now were appointed by Francis -- and took no part in that event.

Jorge Mario Bergoglio was born to Italian immigrant parents in Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, in 1936, the oldest of five children. He attended a Catholic grade school, then graduated from a trade high school with a chemical technician diploma, going on to work in a food laboratory.

By the time he was 21 years old, he had endured pneumonia so severe it threatened his life, and suffered cysts on a lung ... prompting surgery to remove part of one of his lungs. That would affect the rest of his life, even to his final days.

At 22, he was inspired to study at an Argentine seminary, and three years later traveled to Chile to study further. At 24, he formally took steps to become a Jesuit back in Argentina, and he was ordained as a priest in 1969, at 33, and in 1973, he took his final vows as a Jesuit.

Dave Portnoy isn't joking around about an antisemitic sign that appeared in one of his bars last night ... posting a video screaming about how upset he is -- and promising everyone involved is going to be educated.

The Barstool Sports founder took to social media Sunday to address a viral video going around of a waitress at Barstool Sansom Street in Philadelphia holding a sign which reads, in all caps, "F*** THE JEWS."

Dave explains the sign isn't something a staff member came up with ... but one provided when you purchase bottle service -- with a message the buyer crafts.

Donald Trump is once again blending politics with punchlines -- this time, with a heavenly twist.

The President posted an A.I.-generated image of himself dressed as the Pope on social media on Friday. The A.I. picture shows DT wearing the full look that the everyday Pope wears.

The internet has been reacting to the photo with mixed emotions ... some find it offensive, while others find it humorous.

Justin Bieber's pastor is laughing at claims his church is actually a cult ... cracking jokes about the label and claiming that -- if the church were a cult -- it'd be the worst in history.

Judah Smith posted a clip to his Instagram Friday ... revealing he recently got out of his car, and paparazzi immediately surrounded him, with one -- a "nice lady," as Smith puts it -- asking him point-blank if he runs a cult.

Smith says he wasn't expecting the question ... before turning to the side of the stage and jokingly asking stagehands to "bring out the snakes," adding they've got some blood for rituals.

President Trump's doing what he's known for -- firing people ... but this time it's a bunch of board members at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum who were appointed by Joe Biden.

Kamala Harris' husband, Doug Emhoff, was among those fired by Trump.

In a statement, the former Second Gentleman tells TMZ ... "Today, I was informed of my removal from the United States Holocaust Memorial Council. Let me be clear: Holocaust remembrance and education should never be politicized. To turn one of the worst atrocities in history into a wedge issue is dangerous -- and it dishonors the memory of six million Jews murdered by Nazis that this museum was created to preserve."

Donald Trump's endorsing a controversial public figure to become the next head of the Catholic Church -- himself!

The President of the United States was asked Tuesday who he thinks should ascend to the role following Pope Francis' death ... and, he immediately responded he's his own No. 1 choice for the job.

It's clear President Trump is joking here ... following up the comment by saying he doesn't really have a preference -- though there's a cardinal from New York he thinks could handle the job.

Deion Sanders isn't letting his son's NFL draft waiting game ruin his spirits ... telling TMZ Sports the Man Upstairs is just as great as he was before Shedeur fell to the fifth round.

We caught up with the Colorado Buffaloes head coach and Hall of Famer at LAX fresh off Shedeur joining the Cleveland Browns with the No. 144 pick ... and despite all the chatter surrounding how it played out, he hammered home a message of faith.

Deion was in good spirits about it all ... saying, "You know how good God is" when asked if he was pleased with how things turned out.

Pastor T.D. Jakes suffering a heart attack during a November sermon was one of the dominoes that led to him taking on a reduced role at his megachurch.

Reps for Jakes tell TMZ ... the heart attack, emergency surgery and ensuing recovery are some of the reasons he's taking a step back from his role as pastor of The Potter's House of Dallas.

We're told Jakes spent a lot of time recovering from the heart issue, and it's affecting him to some degree.

Pastor T.D. Jakes is stepping back from his duties in his megachurch ... announcing his successors months after a medical incident onstage ended with him on the operating table.

The pastor -- who served as the head of The Potter's House church since he founded it back in 1996 -- told the church Sunday that he would be handing over his duties to Sarah Jakes Roberts and Toure Roberts, his daughter and her husband.

Jakes released a long statement about his departure ... citing the need to address major economic issues of the time as part of the impetus for his decision -- claiming he wants to focus on "serving as a bridge between community, culture, and corporate alliances to help position our nation for a stronger future."

President Donald Trump drew a a ton of eyes at Pope Francis' funeral Saturday ... and, not totally for the right reasons -- 'cause he wore a bright blue suit to the event, and it outraged a large section of social media.

As you know ... POTUS and First Lady Melania Trump were in Rome Saturday to pay their respects to the late head of the Catholic Church -- sitting front and center as he was laid to rest.

While the two were completely respectful during the proceedings, many online took issue with Trump's outfit ... 'cause he wore a blue suit -- not navy blue, but a color that stood out quite a bit more against the black outfits others in the crowd donned.

Pope Francis made it to his final resting place ... and President Trump and Melania watched in person, attending the late pontiff's funeral in Rome from the front row.

Francis -- who publicly opposed Trump's approach to several issues like immigration and climate change -- was laid to rest Saturday morning in a mostly plain coffin at the Basilica of St. Mary Major ... following a funeral mass at St. Peter's Square, where over a quarter of a million people were in attendance, according to Vatican News.

He's the first pope in more than a century to be buried outside of the Vatican ... the last one was Leo XIII, who died way back in 1903.

Al Sharpton just got done meeting with Wendy Williams at her assisted living facility ... and he says they prayed over her situation.

We got Al going in and out of the Coterie in New York City on Thursday -- the place Wendy likes to refer to as a "luxury prison" -- and our photog asked him about what he's doing to help Wendy and how she's holding up.

Wendy's fighting to get out of her guardianship and Al says they spent about 40 minutes together ... including time spent praying.

Justin Bieber's waxing poetic about religion ... telling fans the Bible and church alone aren't enough to save a person -- but, he says truly receiving God's forgiveness can.

The singer-songwriter shared multiple photos to his Instagram Story detailing his religious philosophy ... kicking it off by acknowledging he's flawed, but says God chooses to work through him every day regardless.

It's a long message -- definitely worth reading all the way through ... but, a few of Justin's lines will certainly perk up fans' ears, including one part where Justin talks about how guilt can only be assuaged by forging a relationship with the Lord Almighty, not by going through the motions of reading the Bible and going to church.

Three 6 Mafia legend Project Pat has a new purpose in life thanks to his newfound faith in God -- his once gangsta mentality has shifted to gospel!!!

The Memphis rapper and his pa'tna Mike Brown linked with TMZ Hip Hop at LAX this week and discussed his spiritual transition.

The year got off to a rough start for Pat -- his son, Patrick Houston Jr., was murdered in Memphis -- but Pat's been staying grounded, giving back.