FREE access to the digital edition and archives until September 2. Click here. →
Browse › 2025 › April
Carol Glatz, Justin McLellan · April 22, 2025
Cardinals already present in Rome and those who were able to get to the city after Pope Francis' death April 21 held their first meeting at the Vatican April 22.
Editorial
Catholic Register Editorial · April 22, 2025
How fitting – how Francis! – that the Holy Father’s final day on earth was spent in part meeting with U.S. Vice-President JD Vance to press the case for Christian charity toward migrants and refugees.
Carol Glatz · April 22, 2025
Pope Francis' final moments were peaceful, and he managed to give one last farewell to his nurse, Massimiliano Strappetti, before slipping into a coma early April 21, Vatican News reported.
He found God in all things
Cindy Wooden · 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.
Luke Mandato · April 22, 2025
A sombre silence fell over the crowded pews of St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica in downtown Toronto this afternoon, as Cardinal Francis Leo joined with faithful from across the archdiocese to pray for the soul of Pope Francis.
Cindy Wooden · April 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.
Analysis
Pope leaves multifaceted legacy in style, message, communications
Maria Wiering · April 23, 2025
Days into Pope Francis' papacy in 2013, Massimo Faggioli remembers thinking that the new pope was "going to be the biggest story in the Catholic Church for this decade."
Anna Farrow · April 23, 2025
In his death, Jesuits are claiming Pope Francis as one of their own, despite a complicated history with the religious order that formed him.
Pope's synodal approach helped Catholic studies thrive
Luke Mandato · April 23, 2025
As faithful from around the world mourn following Pope Francis’s death at age 88 on Easter Monday morning, Canada’s Catholic educators and theologians are reflecting with gratitude on his life of compassionate, justice-driven faith.
Quinton Amundson · April 23, 2025
It was his voice, posture of humility and determination to listen that made indelible impressions on Indigenous peoples as they observed Pope Francis during his historical penitential pilgrimage to Canada.
Catholic Register Staff · April 23, 2025
Text of the final “Urbi et Orbi” Easter Sunday message from Pope Francis delivered at the Mass presided over by the Delegate of the Holy Father, Cardinal Angelo Comastri.
Carol Glatz · April 23, 2025
In the first nine hours that Pope Francis' body had lain in state in St. Peter's Basilica, more than 19,000 people stood in line for hours in the sun to pray and pay homage to him.
Judith Sudilovsky · April 24, 2025
In his final words before departing Jerusalem for the Vatican where he will participate in his first conclave, Latin Patriarch Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa urged the faithful of his diocese to be united in prayer.
Poilievre, other political candidates attend Easter Mass
Canadian Catholic News · April 24, 2025
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre was among several politicians and political candidates who attended Easter Sunday Mass at Good Shepherd Church in Surrey, where 1,500 parishioners packed the pews to celebrate the Resurrection.
Charitable status could be removed from religious, pro-life groups
Quinton Amundson · April 24, 2025
The House of Commons Finance Committee’s proposed pre-budget 2025 recommendations — 429 and 430 — to strip pro-life and faith-based non-profit groups of their charitable status has been on the mind of Phil Horgan this election cycle.
B.C. Catholic · April 24, 2025
In a statement released ahead of the April 28 federal election, Canada’s bishops are calling on Catholics to vote with a renewed spirit of hope, guided by conscience and rooted in faith.
Junno Arocho Esteves · April 24, 2025
After the casket bearing Pope Francis' body was placed in St. Peter's Basilica, tens of thousands of mourners lined up to pay their respects.
Cindy Wooden · April 24, 2025
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.
‘The icon looks at us. We respond with our own attention.’
Nicholas Elbers · April 24, 2025
Angels flank the old crucifix at Precious Blood Church in Cloverdale, B.C., chalices held high to catch the blood and water from Christ’s side.
Barefoot and Preaching
Leah Perrault · April 24, 2025
If Easter is about dying as well as resurrection, then I shouldn’t be surprised that the new life is as earthy as the death. Rot has to be cleared away, dry bones rehydrated, muscles reacclimatized to movement. Resistance needs to fall away. These things take time and practice, at least in my experience of my own humanity.