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LIVE UPDATES: Pope Francis lies in state as Vatican announces Friday coffin sealing

By CNA Staff Vatican City, Apr 23, 2025 / 05:30 am Pope Francis passed away at 7:35 a.m. local time on Easter Monday, April 21, at his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta, as confirmed by the Holy See Press Office. The 88-year-old pontiff led the Catholic Church for a little more …
From sede vacante to conclave: Key terms to know at the start of a papal transition

By Matthew Bunson Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Apr 22, 2025 / 11:12 am The start of a papal interregnum brings many terms that may not be familiar to many people, including many Catholics. Here are some of the key words and phrases that will be used throughout the interregnum, especially the conclave …
Pope Francis’ 2015 visit to the United States

By Jonah McKeown CNA Staff, Apr 22, 2025 / 07:00 am Pope Francis, who died on April 21 at the age of 88, visited the United States just once, nearly 10 years ago, in September 2015. Despite the brevity of the visit, he accomplished a lot: Attracting hundreds of thousands of participants, he …
LIVE UPDATES: Pope Francis funeral announced for Saturday

by CNA Staff Vatican City, Apr 22, 2025 / 07:32 am Pope Francis passed away at 7:35 a.m. local time on Easter Monday, April 21, at his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta, as confirmed by the Holy See Press Office. The 88-year-old pontiff led the Catholic Church for a little …
Vatican releases first photos of Pope Francis after his death

By Hannah Brockhaus Vatican City, Apr 22, 2025 / 06:55 am The Vatican on Tuesday released the first photos of Pope Francis after his death, showing him dressed in red vestments and lying in a simple, wooden coffin inside the chapel of the Santa Marta guesthouse. The photos, taken on the …
Pope Francis’ death: Vatican holds first step in papal funeral rites

By Hannah Brockhaus Vatican City, Apr 21, 2025 / 16:58 pm Following Pope Francis’ death at age 88 on Easter Monday, the Vatican carried out the first stage in the papal funeral rites, called “the rite of the ascertainment of death and deposition in the coffin.” Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the camerlengo, presided …
Vatican releases Pope Francis’ cause of death

By Hannah Brockhaus Vatican City, Apr 21, 2025 / 14:53 pm The Holy See on Monday evening released the death certificate detailing the cause of death of Pope Francis, who died in his Vatican apartment at 7:35 a.m. in Rome on April 21, the day after Easter. After an examination, Vatican …
Pope Francis has died. What happens next?

By Andrea Gagliarducci Rome Newsroom, Apr 21, 2025 / 11:11 am The death of Pope Francis begins the so-called “sede vacante,” a period when the See of Peter lies vacant. The time of the sede vacante after the pope’s death brings with it a series of symbols, traditions, and protocols that have …
Vatican postpones Carlo Acutis canonization following Pope Francis’ death

By Courtney Mares Vatican City, Apr 21, 2025 / 08:20 am The Vatican announced Monday that the canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis has been postponed following the death of Pope Francis. “Following the death of Supreme Pontiff Francis, notice is hereby given that the Eucharistic celebration and Rite of Canonization of …
Death of Pope Francis World Reaction

Vatican City, Apr 21, 2025 / 10:19 am Pope Francis passed away at 7:35 a.m. local time on Easter Monday, April 21, at his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta, as confirmed by the Holy See Press Office. The 88-year-old pontiff led the Catholic Church for a little more than 12 …