Vatican News

Thousands depart St. Peter's Square after praying the Holy Rosary for Pope Francis, Monday, April 21, 2025

CNA explains: ‘Sede vacante’ and ‘interregnum’ — what do they mean? 

Apr 23, 2025

By Jonah McKeown

A highly regulated process has now begun that will see Pope Francis’ earthly body laid to rest and a conclave... Read more

Cardinals, bishops, and Vatican officials walk alongside Pope Francis’ coffin in St. Peter’s Square on April 23, 2025, during the solemn transfer as Swiss Guards stand in formal formation.

Pope Francis moved to St. Peter’s Basilica for final goodbye

Apr 23, 2025

By Hannah Brockhaus

The rite began in the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta, where Francis lived for the 12 years of his... Read more

Swiss Guards accompany the pallbearers with the wooden coffin of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square on April 23, 2025, during the translatio — the solemn transfer of the pope's body for public viewing ahead of Saturday's funeral Mass.

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

Apr 23, 2025

By CNA Staff

Pope Francis has died at 88. Follow here for the latest live updates. Read more

Cardinals, bishops, and priests carrying palm branches gather for the Palm Sunday Mass in St. Peter’s Square, April 13, 2025.

General congregation begins: Cardinals suspend beatifications, swear to secrecy

Apr 22, 2025

By Kate Quiñones

At the first general congregation of cardinals in Rome on Tuesday, the estimated 60 cardinals in attendance chose the date... Read more

A panoramic view of St. Peter’s Square filled with faithful attending Easter Sunday Mass at the Vatican on April 20, 2025.

CNA explains: What happens during the Vatican’s 9 days of mourning for the pope? 

Apr 22, 2025

By Courtney Mares

Rooted in ancient Christian and Roman customs, the Novendiales is a period of nine consecutive days dedicated to mourning the... Read more

Pope Francis reiterated his call for peace for Gaza and the Holy Land in his April 20, 2025, urbi et orbi message.

Two days before his death, Pope Francis made final call to pastor of Gaza parish

Apr 22, 2025

By Victoria Cardiel

Father Gabriel Romanelli, the pastor of Holy Family Parish in Gaza, summed up Pope Francis’ last call on Saturday night,... Read more

Pope Francis greets the crowd from the popemobile on Easter Sunday morning, April 20, 2025.

The last time the world saw Pope Francis

Apr 22, 2025

By Almudena Martínez-Bordiú

Pope Francis greeted the faithful around the world for the last time from St. Peter’s Basilica on the most important... Read more

Pope Francis kisses a baby during his weekly general audience on May 10, 2023.

Pope Francis’ grandfatherly advice

Apr 22, 2025

By Joseph Pronechen

During his papacy, Pope Francis shared advice and bits of practical wisdom on how to get along with one another,... Read more

Cardinal William Goh speaks during an interview with EWTN News on April 19, 2024, in Singapore.

Cardinal Goh: Pope Francis was dedicated to leading Church’s ‘new evangelization’

Apr 22, 2025

By Kristina Millare

Cardinal William Goh said the Archdiocese of Singapore swiftly organized the Tuesday afternoon memorial Mass held in the Cathedral of... Read more

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From sede vacante to conclave: Key terms to know at the start of a papal transition

Apr 22, 2025

By Matthew Bunson

Here are some of the key words and phrases that will be used throughout the interregnum, especially the conclave to... Read more

Pope Francis speaks the Easter blessing “urbi et orbi” from the central loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica, April 20, 2025.

The final hours of Pope Francis: ‘Thank you for bringing me back to the Square’ 

Apr 22, 2025

By Courtney Mares

In the wake of his death, the Vatican released further details on Tuesday about the Pope Francis’ final hours. Read more

Pope Francis is seen at his general audience at the Vatican, Wednesday, April 16, 2014.

Pope Francis in his own words: 12 key quotes that defined his 12-year pontificate

Apr 22, 2025

By Kristina Millare

His words often focused on the dignity of the poor, migrants, refugees, and the elderly as well as the importance... Read more

The earth, photographed by the crew of Apollo 8 in December 1968.

Earth Day: 10 quotes from Pope Francis on creation, care for the environment

Apr 22, 2025

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

In remembrance of Pope Francis’ message urging the faithful to protect the environment and to celebrate Earth Day, here are... Read more

The body of Pope Francis lies in state at the Vatican’s Domus Sanctae Marthae chapel, surrounded by Swiss Guards, cardinals, and Vatican officials paying their respects before his transfer to St. Peter’s Basilica for public veneration, Monday, April 21, 2025.

Vatican releases first photos of Pope Francis after his death

Apr 22, 2025

By Hannah Brockhaus

The photos show the pope dressed in red vestments and lying in a simple wooden coffin inside the chapel of... Read more

The body of Pope Francis lies in state at the Vatican's Domus Sanctae Marthae chapel, surrounded by Swiss Guards, cardinals, and Vatican officials paying their respects before his transfer to St. Peter’s Basilica for public veneration on April 22, 2025. The mortal remains of Pope Francis will be transferred to St. Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday, April 23.

Pope Francis to be buried at St. Mary Major Basilica following Saturday funeral

Apr 22, 2025

By Courtney Mares

In accordance with his personal wishes, Pope Francis will not be buried in the Vatican grottoes but instead at the... Read more

Cardinal Kevin Farrell on May 2, 2017.

Who is Cardinal Farrell, the camerlengo and a key figure in the papal transition?

Apr 21, 2025

By Hannah Brockhaus

Cardinal Kevin Farrell is a key figure in the papal succession because of his appointment in 2019 as the camerlengo... Read more

Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra preside over the sealing of the papal apartment at the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace, Monday, April 21, 2025.

Pope Francis’ death: Vatican holds first step in papal funeral rites

Apr 21, 2025

By Hannah Brockhaus

Cardinal Kevin Farrell presided over the rite in the chapel of Pope Francis’ Vatican residence, the Casa Santa Marta, just... Read more

Religious sisters gather to pray the rosary for Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican, Monday, April 21, 2025.

PHOTOS: Thousands gather for rosary in St. Peter’s Square after death of Pope Francis

Apr 21, 2025

By CNA Staff

Thousands of Catholics gathered together in prayer for the Holy Father, who passed away at age 88 due to complications... Read more

Pope Francis at the Jubilee of the Sick in St. Peter's Square on Sunday, April 6, 2025, wearing nasal cannulas for supplemental oxygen as he continues recovering from bilateral pneumonia.

FULL TEXT: Here is Pope Francis’ testament

Apr 21, 2025

By CNA Staff

The Vatican has released the testament of Pope Francis. Read more

Bouquets of flowers are left by visitors to St. Peter's Square on Easter Monday following the news of the death of Pope Francis, Monday, April 21, 2025.

Vatican releases Pope Francis’ cause of death

Apr 21, 2025

By Hannah Brockhaus

The Holy See on Monday evening released the death certificate detailing the cause of death of Pope Francis, who died... Read more