By Zoe Romanowsky CNA Staff, Apr 25, 2025 / 07:00 am Like his predecessors, Pope Francis’ pontificate was marked not only by historic events and memorable themes but also by his personality, character, and style. A look at these more personal moments — many of them unscripted and spontaneous — reminds …

By Kate Quiñones CNA Staff, Apr 23, 2025 / 16:21 pm U.S. Vice President JD Vance said this week that he is refusing to politicize Pope Francis’ death, hailing the late pontiff as a “broad” figure and a “great” leader of the Catholic Church. “A lot of people, especially in the …

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 …

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 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 …

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 …

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’ spiritual testament, dated 29 June 2022, has been published, giving indications for his burial in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major. Miserando atque Eligendo In the name of the Most Holy Trinity. Amen. As I sense the approaching twilight of my earthly life, and with firm hope in …

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 …