Vatican News

Carlo Acutis.

Carlo Acutis and the four popes

Apr 27, 2025

By Courtney Mares

Carlo went on pilgrimage to see John Paul II, offered up his suffering from cancer for Benedict XVI, and was... Read more

Cardinal Pietro Parolin celebrates the Mass on Divine Mercy Sunday, April 27, 2025 — the second day of mourning for the late Pope Francis.

Second day of mourning for Pope Francis: Full text of homily by Cardinal Parolin

Apr 27, 2025

By Cardinal Pietro Parolin

“Brothers and sisters, precisely on Divine Mercy Sunday we remember our beloved Pope Francis with affection,” Cardinal Pietro Parolin said... Read more

Original painting of the Divine Mercy by Eugeniusz Kazimirowski in 1934; Pope John Paul II in 1996.

Pope John Paul II declared Divine Mercy Sunday a feast 25 years ago

Apr 27, 2025

By Zelda Caldwell

On Aug. 17, 2002, St. John Paul II entrusted the world to divine mercy as he consecrated the International Shrine... Read more

Pallbearers process with the coffin of Pope Francis during his funeral at St. Peter’s Square, Saturday, April 26, 2025.

PHOTOS: Pope Francis is laid to rest in Rome

Apr 26, 2025

By CNA Staff

Crowds of faithful lined the route to St. Mary Major as the late pontiff made his final journey to the... Read more

U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hold a one-on-one meeting at the Vatican prior to Pope Francis’ funeral, Saturday, April 26, 2025.

Trump, Zelenskyy discuss hopes for ‘lasting peace’ amid pope’s funeral

Apr 26, 2025

By Daniel Payne

“[It was a] good meeting. We discussed a lot one-on-one,” Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. “Hoping for results on everything... Read more

Prelates watch as Vatican officials prepare Pope Francis’ tomb in the Basilica of St. Mary Major on Saturday, April 26, 2025.

Pope Francis buried in beloved Marian basilica after coffin crosses Rome in popemobile

Apr 26, 2025

By Hannah Brockhaus

The pope’s burial site, at his request, is the Basilica of St. Mary Major, one of the four papal basilicas... Read more

Pope Francis blesses St. Peter’s Square with the Blessed Sacrament during the statio orbis prayer to end COVID-19 pandemic, Friday, March 27, 2020.

5 of the most memorable prayers of Pope Francis’ pontificate

Apr 26, 2025

By Kristina Millare

Pope Francis’ pontificate spanned 12 years and numerous major global events that saw him delivering prayers often under extraordinary and... Read more

Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re presides over the funeral of Pope Francis at St. Peter’s Square, Saturday, April 26, 2025

Funeral Mass of Pope Francis: Full text and video of homily by Cardinal Re

“The outpouring of affection that we have witnessed ... tells us how much the profound pontificate of Pope Francis touched... Read more

Pallbearers carry the wooden coffin of Pope Francis, marked with a cross, into St. Peter's Square for the funeral Mass on April 26, 2025.

Pope Francis’ funeral: A global farewell to a humble shepherd

Apr 26, 2025

By Courtney Mares

Under the bright Roman sun and amid crowds extending down the Via della Conciliazione, the funeral Mass unfolded within the... Read more

Left: Ismael with his friend Dalia, who traveled from Barcelona, Spain. Right: Nadia Trujillo, Ana Asensio, and their friend who joined them from Portugal.

First pilgrims begin to line up 12 hours ahead of Pope Francis’ funeral

Apr 25, 2025

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

The first of thousands of pilgrims were already lining up along the streets to catch a glimpse of the late... Read more

The casket of Pope Francis rests sealed in St. Peter's Basilica prior to the Holy Father's funeral, Friday, April 25, 2025,

What to know about Pope Francis’ Saturday morning funeral

Apr 25, 2025

By Tyler Arnold

Saturday’s funeral will kick off the traditional Novendiales, nine consecutive days of mourning for the suffrage of the late pope.... Read more

Thousands of Catholics said their last goodbyes and paid their respects to Pope Francis on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, as the late pope lay in state in St. Peter’s Basilica.

Evening pilgrims bid farewell to Pope Francis ahead of Saturday funeral

Apr 25, 2025

By Kristina Millare

Among the more than 250,000 people who made their way to the Vatican this week were the nocturnal pilgrims wanting... Read more

Italian President Sergio Mattarella and his daughter pay their respects to Pope Francis at an early viewing on April 22, 2025, before the late pope is transferred to St. Peter’s Basilica to lie in state.

These are the heads of state and dignitaries who will attend Pope Francis’ funeral

Pope Francis’ funeral will be attended by dozens of heads of state, monarchs, foreign ministers, and other leaders from around... Read more

Pope Francis’ coffin is sealed prior to his funeral at St. Peter’s Basilica on Friday, April 25, 2025.

Pope Francis’ coffin closed in private ceremony in St. Peter’s Basilica

Apr 25, 2025

By Hannah Brockhaus

Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the camerlengo, presided over the rite of the closing and sealing of the coffin. Read more

Members of Civil Protection at the Vatican.

1,800 Civil Protection volunteers on hand to streamline flow for Francis’ funeral

Apr 25, 2025

By Victoria Cardiel

More than 1,800 Italian Civil Protection volunteers are currently deployed to coordinate and facilitate the flow of pilgrims paying their... Read more

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

Pope Francis’ historic appointments: 4 women helping to lead the Vatican

Apr 25, 2025

By Kate Quiñones

Throughout his papacy, Francis took steps to appoint and integrate women into leadership roles in the Vatican. Read more

The tomb of Pope Francis in the Basilica of St. Mary Major.

Preview of Pope Francis’ tomb in St. Mary Major Basilica

Apr 25, 2025

By Victoria Cardiel

Pope Francis’ tomb is made of Ligurian (Italian) marble with the sole inscription “FRANCISCUS” and a reproduction of his pectoral... Read more

Pope Francis' body is blessed in the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta, Wednesday, April 23, 2025.

Pope Francis’ coffin to be sealed Friday evening ahead of Saturday funeral

Apr 25, 2025

By Jonah McKeown

Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the camerlengo, will preside at the Rite of Sealing of the Coffin beginning at 8 p.m. Rome... Read more

Pope Francis at the general audience in St. Peter's Square, Oct. 5, 2016.

PHOTOS: A timeline of Pope Francis’ 12 years as pope

Apr 25, 2025

By Tyler Arnold, Tina Dennelly

Pope Francis was the 265th successor of St. Peter. Here is a timeline of key events during his papacy. Read more

Pope Francis laughs outside of St. Peter’s Basilica during the general audience on April 1, 2015.

The time Pope Francis visited a record shop and other personal moments

Apr 25, 2025

By Zoe Romanowsky

Pope Francis was a pope of “firsts,” and his pontificate was marked not only by historic events and memorable themes... Read more