May 1, 2025
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state since early in the pontificate of Pope Francis, has long been near the top of pundits' lists of potential successors to the Argentine pope.
St. John Paul II had the Domus Sanctae Marthae built primarily to house cardinals in simple comfort during a conclave.
April 30, 2025
The conclave to elect a new pope, scheduled to begin May 7, is governed by two texts: a rule book and a prayer book.
April 26, 2025
Pope Francis was "a Pope among the people, with an open heart toward everyone," said Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals, as he presided over the funeral of the Pope, who died April 21 at the age of 88.
April 24, 2025
A Benedictine abbot and a Capuchin cardinal will offer spiritual meditations on the needs of the Catholic Church to the cardinals preparing to elect a new pope, according to the Vatican press office.
Novels and films that include or revolve around a conclave often include nefarious plotting, or at least politicking, and attempts to wing it when it comes to the rules for electing a new pope.
UpdatedApril 23, 2025
To the chanting of Christ's promise, "I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live," the mortal remains of Pope Francis were carried into St. Peter's Basilica by 14 pallbearers.
April 22, 2025
Pope Francis was a pastor first, "so consistently, so spontaneously and with such deep conviction," that it will remain a gift to the Catholic Church, said Cardinal Michael Czerny.
The funeral Mass of Pope Francis will be celebrated April 26 in St. Peter's Square, the Vatican announced.
April 21, 2025
In his brief final testament, Pope Francis asked to be buried at Rome's Basilica of St. Mary Major and said he had offered his suffering for peace in the world.