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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 …
Pope Francis dies at 88, ending historic pontificate marked by mercy and reform

By CNA Staff Vatican City, Apr 21, 2025 / 05:48 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 …
Ancient tradition for confirming Pope’s death

According to the Apostolic Constitution Apostólica Universi Dominici Gregis issued by Pope John Paul II in 1996, the confirming of the death of a Pontiff includes an ancient tradition: The death of the Pope is verified by the Cardinal Camerlengo who is to gently strike the Pope’s head with a …
Pope Francis meets Vice President Vance, exchanges Easter gifts

By AC Wimmer CNA Newsroom, Apr 20, 2025 / 07:26 am Pope Francis met briefly with U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance on Easter Sunday morning at the Casa Santa Marta, the Vatican confirmed. According to the Holy See Press Office, the private audience took place at approximately 11:30 a.m. and lasted …
Full text of Pope Francis’ blessing ‘urbi et orbi’ for Easter 2025

By Pope Francis CNA Newsroom, Apr 20, 2025 / 06:48 am On Easter Sunday 2025, Pope Francis did not deliver his speech in person, though he briefly greeted the faithful with a brief “Brothers and Sisters, Happy Easter”. The pope’s traditio, “urbi et orbi,” was read by Archbishop Diego Ravelli, the …
PHOTOS: Archaeologists uncover early use of site beneath Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem

By Marinella Bandini Jerusalem, Apr 18, 2025 / 06:00 am A stone quarry outside the walls of Jerusalem, later abandoned and converted into a cemetery with rock-cut tombs and cultivated areas — that’s what the Basilica of the Holy Sepulcher looked like at the time of Jesus. Ongoing archaeological excavations inside …
Vance visits Vatican: U.S. vice president and Cardinal Parolin address global concerns

By AC Wimmer CNA Newsroom, Apr 19, 2025 / 07:35 am U.S. Vice President JD Vance was received at the Vatican Secretariat of State by Cardinal Pietro Parolin on Holy Saturday morning, where the two discussed international relations, religious freedom, and humanitarian concerns. The April 19 meeting included Secretary of State …
Here’s when Easter officially ends

By Katie Yoder Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Apr 4, 2024 / 06:00 am Catholics recognize Easter — when Jesus Christ rose from the dead after sacrificing his life for all of humanity — as the first Sunday after the first full moon on or after the spring equinox. But, as it turns …
Over 400 men in U.S. to be ordained in 2025; most felt called to priesthood by age 16

By Tessa Gervasini Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Apr 17, 2025 / 14:03 pm More than 400 men will be ordained to the priesthood in the U.S. this year, and on average they began to consider becoming a priest at just 16 years old, according to an annual CARA survey. The Center for Applied …