Vatican News

Cardinals choose prelates to offer reflections on church, future pope

Cindy Wooden · 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.

Cardinals mourn Pope Francis as Vatican meetings begin ahead of conclave

Ines San Martin · April 24, 2025

As they entered the Vatican to participate in a series of meetings leading up to the election of Pope Francis' successor, several cardinals spoke to the media, emphasizing that they are still mourning the Argentine pontiff—not yet choosing his successor.

Real conclaves: They aren't the thrillers seen in film, professor says

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.

Thousands wait hours to pay respects to Pope Francis

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.

More than 19,000 people pay homage to Pope Francis in first nine hours of public visitation

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.

Prayer, pilgrims accompany Pope Francis' body to basilica

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.

Cardinals hold first meeting after Pope Francis' death

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.

In final testament, Pope Francis asks for simple burial, prayed for peace

Cindy Wooden · 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.

Crowds gather to pray the rosary for repose of Pope Francis' soul

Cindy Wooden · April 21, 2025

Just as hundreds of people had gathered at the Vatican each night to recite the rosary when Pope Francis was hospitalized, throngs returned to recite the Marian prayer for the repose of his soul after his death.

Pope Francis died of stroke, heart failure, coma, Vatican says

Carol Glatz · April 21, 2025

Pope Francis died April 21 after suffering a stroke and heart failure, said the director of Vatican City State's department of health services. The pope had also gone into a coma.