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 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 …

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 …

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 Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — After Pope Benedict XVI officially became pope emeritus, he ate dinner, watched the television news and strolled through the lake-view rooms of the papal villa at Castel Gandolfo. Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman, said he spoke March 1 with …