Vatican

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Pope Francis prays at the “Garden of Angels” section of the Laurentino Cemetery in Rome on All Souls’ Day, Nov. 2, 2024.

‘Death is not the end of everything’: Vatican releases pope’s reflections on aging, dying

Apr 22, 2025

By Madalaine Elhabbal

“We must not be afraid of old age, we must not fear embracing becoming old,” wrote Francis in the preface... 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 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

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 arrives at his general audience at the Vatican, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2020

U.S bishops mourn Pope Francis’ death, recall his ‘pastoral’ legacy

Apr 21, 2025

By Kate Quiñones

Archbishop Timothy Broglio, president of the USCCB, remembered Pope Francis “for his outreach to those on the margins of the... 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

Mourners gather in St. Peter's Square after the death of Pope Francis on Monday, April 21, 2025.

World leaders mourn Pope Francis, praise his legacy

Apr 21, 2025

By Madalaine Elhabbal

World leaders from around the globe released statements of mourning and remembrance in response to the death of Pope Francis,... Read more

Flowers are laid in memory of Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican, Monday, April 21, 2025.

CNA explains: What happens to Pope Francis’ remains after death?

Apr 21, 2025

By Hannah Brockhaus

In the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis, the process is divided into three steps, called “stations.” Read more

Father Pablo Gefaell is seen in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican, Monday, April 21, 2025.

‘A pope of mercy’: Priests from around the world mourn Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square

Apr 21, 2025

By CNA Staff

Pope Francis passed away at 7:35 a.m. local time on Easter Monday, April 21, at his residence in the Vatican’s... Read more

Pope Francis (1936–2025), who led the Catholic Church from 2013 to 2025, emphasized God’s infinite mercy throughout his pontificate.

Pope Francis: The pope of the peripheries who shook up the Church

Apr 21, 2025

By CNA Staff

The first Latin American and Jesuit pope was determined to lead a more welcoming, pastoral, and merciful Church outward to... Read more

EWTN Chairman and CEO Michael P. Warsaw meets with Pope Francis during an audience with participants in the plenary meetings of the Dicastery for Communication, Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2019.

EWTN CEO Michael Warsaw: Death of Pope Francis a ‘moment of personal grief’ for Catholics

Apr 21, 2025

By Daniel Payne

"Together with our entire EWTN Family, I mourn his passing and join the Church in prayers for the repose of... Read more

Dutch flowers decorate St. Peter’s Square for Easter Sunday Mass 2019.

How the tradition of Dutch flowers at the pope’s Easter Mass was saved

Apr 20, 2025

By Hannah Brockhaus

Dutch flowers adorn St. Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday. Here’s how the 37-year tradition was saved in 2022. Read more

Incense is dispensed at St. Peter's Basilica during the Easter Vigil, Saturday, April 19, 2025

PHOTOS: Holy Saturday Easter Vigil at St. Peter's Basilica

Apr 19, 2025

By CNA Staff

The liturgy was celebrated by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re. Read more

Pope Francis meets with doctors and staff from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, thanking them for their work during his recent stay, on April 16, 2025, at the Vatican.

Pope Francis welcomes Gemelli medical teams to the Vatican, thanks them for their care

Apr 16, 2025

By Kristina Millare

The 88-year-old Holy Father greeted approximately 70 men and women representing leadership and staff from the hospital. Read more

The new statue by Timothy P. Schmalz titled “Be Welcoming” is displayed in St. Peter’s Square, Tuesday, April 15, 2025.

Vatican unveils new Timothy Schmalz statue ‘Be Welcoming’ in St. Peter’s Square

Apr 15, 2025

By Kristina Millare

The statute depicts a man seated on a bench “who appears to be a homeless person” carrying only two possessions:... Read more

Pope Francis appears at St. Peter’s Basilica absent his usual papal attire on Thursday, April 10, 2025.

Vatican offers health update after Pope Francis’ surprise visit to basilica without papal attire

Apr 11, 2025

By Courtney Mares

A Vatican spokesman told journalists the pope had wanted to get some air and then decided to extend his time... Read more

King Charles III and Charles Edward Stuart (better known as “Bonnie Prince Charlie”).

The other Charles in Rome: ‘Bonnie Prince Charlie’ is buried in St. Peter’s Basilica

Apr 9, 2025

By Courtney Mares

“Bonnie Prince Charlie” — the ill-fated Catholic Stuart claimant to the British throne — is entombed in marble splendor within... Read more

CatholicVote president Brian Burch speaks during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on his nomination for to be ambassador to the Holy See on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.

CatholicVote president grilled on foreign aid, China at Vatican ambassador hearing

Apr 8, 2025

By Madalaine Elhabbal

Brian Burch was questioned by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday in a hearing for his appointment as the... Read more

Pope Francis blesses the faithful at the Jubilee of the Sick in St. Peter's Square, Vatican City, on April 6, 2025, as his personal nurse, Massimo Strappetti, assists him in the wheelchair.

Pope Francis shows slight improvements during convalescence, Vatican says

Apr 8, 2025

By Kristina Millare

The Holy See Press Office told journalists during a morning press briefing on the pope’s health that the 88-year-old pontiff’s... Read more