By Martin Bürger CNA Newsroom, Apr 24, 2025 / 02:04 am The College of Cardinals saw a significant increase in attendance at Wednesday’s general congregation, with 103 cardinals now present in Rome — nearly double the approximately 60 who participated in Tuesday’s initial gathering. The cardinals began their second meeting with …

By Kate Quiñones CNA Staff, Apr 22, 2025 / 18:17 pm At the first general congregation of cardinals in Rome on Tuesday, the estimated 60 cardinals in attendance chose the date of Pope Francis’ funeral and suspended beatification celebrations. The closed-door meeting to discuss the upcoming conclave and other issues pertaining to the …

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 …

Among the final words of the late Pope Francis was a “thank you” to his personal healthcare assistant, Massimiliano Strappetti, for encouraging him to take one last ride in the popemobile on Sunday after the Urbi et Orbi. He rested in the afternoon, had a quiet dinner, and then at …

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 …

Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, will preside over the rite of the ascertainment of death of Pope Francis and placement of his body in the coffin on Monday evening. By Vatican News The Holy See Press Office announced on Monday that the rite of ascertainment of …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …