Death and Dying

The Latest

St. Thomas Aquinas uttered a last prophecy and an emotional prayer before his departure to Heaven.

The last prophecy of St. Thomas Aquinas before he died 750 years ago

Mar 7, 2024

By Abel Camasca

St. Thomas Aquinas uttered a last prophecy and an emotional prayer before his departure to heaven. Read more

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5 things to know about the debate on euthanasia in Ecuador

Nov 28, 2023

By Diego López Marina

The discussion started Nov. 20 when Ecuador’s constitutional court began to evaluate arguments regarding the request of a woman to... Read more

The "Mass of a Lifetime," celebrated by Father Nathan Siray of the Diocese of Calgary, took place at Evanston Summit Retirement Residence in Calgary, Alberta, on Oct. 15, 2023.

‘Mass of a Lifetime’ reminds elderly ‘their community has not forgotten them’

Nov 19, 2023

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

The special Mass was held in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, at a retirement home, to “intentionally affirm, involve, and inspire” the... Read more

Pope Francis during the weekly general audience in Paul VI Hall at Vatican City

‘Our destination is heaven:’ Pope Francis speaks about death

Aug 24, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis spoke about old age and the expectation of death at his general audience Wednesday. Read more

Memento mori skull on a marble wall.

Memento mori - Why this religious sister wants you to think about your death

Dec 31, 2018

By Christine Rousselle

Sr. Theresa Aletheia Noble, FSP, has had an interesting Twitter project for the last year and a half: she has... Read more

Pope Francis offers a Mass for the repose of the souls of cardinals and bishops who died this year in St. Peter's Basilica Nov. 3.

Pope Francis offers Mass for souls of 163 deceased cardinals, bishops

Nov 3, 2018

By Courtney Mares

Nine cardinals and 154 bishops have died since November 2017, including Cardinal Bernard Law, the former archbishop of Boston, and... Read more

Pope Francis at the general audience March 14, 2018.

Pope: Love demands 'all possible assistance' be given to sick and dying

May 6, 2018

By Hannah Brockhaus

God’s love requires that we give our best to each and every one of our brothers and sisters, even those... Read more

Pope Francis waves to pilgrims during his Oct. 25, 2017, general audience in St. Peter's Square.

Pope: Heaven isn't a 'fairy tale' – it's an embrace with God

Oct 25, 2017

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis on Wednesday spoke about the hope Christians have at the end of life, which is found in God’s... Read more

 Death of St Joseph by Paolo de Matteis.

You've got questions (about death)? The Church has answers.

Jul 6, 2017

By Mary Farrow

In the 14th century, approximately one third of the population of Europe - or anywhere from 75 million to 200... Read more

Pope Francis celebrates Mass for deceased cardinals and bishops in St. Peter's Basilica Nov. 4, 2016.

Pope honors deceased bishops, says death unites us more fully in Christ

Nov 4, 2016

By Hannah Brockhaus

Reflecting on the faithful work of the bishops and cardinals who have died in the past 12 months, Pope Francis... Read more