Vatican News

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

Italian Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu (right) waits prior to the start of a consistory during which 20 new cardinals are to be created by the Pope, on Aug. 27, 2022 at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. (

Cardinal Becciu claims conclave vote despite loss of privileges

Apr 25, 2025

By AC Wimmer

The former deputy Vatican secretary of state told Italian media as he left his native Sardinia for Rome on April... Read more

Jesuit Superior General Father Arturo Sosa, SJ, center, speaks about Pope Francis at a press conference at the Jesuit general curia in Rome on April 24, 2025.

Jesuit superior Father Sosa: Pope Francis did not seek popularity

Apr 24, 2025

By Hannah Brockhaus

Father Arturo Sosa, SJ, superior general of the Society of Jesus, reflected on the first Jesuit pope in a press... Read more

Pope Francis meets with Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill in Havana, Cuba. on Feb. 12, 2016.

Top ecumenical initiatives of Pope Francis: a retrospective  

Apr 24, 2025

By Martin Bürger

Like all popes since the Second Vatican Council, Pope Francis made a point of reaching out to non-Catholics, building bridges... Read more

Cardinals process past Pope Francis’ body in St. Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday, April 23, 2025.

Here are the cardinals offering Masses for the 9 days of mourning for Pope Francis

Apr 24, 2025

By Courtney Mares

In keeping with ancient custom, each day of the Novendiales includes a requiem Mass following the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis. Read more

“The Chosen” actor Jonathan Roumie meets Pope Francis at the Vatican on Aug. 11, 2021.

Celebrities who met Pope Francis share their memories of the late pontiff

Apr 24, 2025

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

Celebrities who had the opportunity to meet Pope Francis during his papacy are remembering the late pontiff. Read more

Monsignor  Fernando Ocáriz, prelate of Opus Dei, in Rome.

Opus Dei postpones adoption of new statutes

Apr 24, 2025

By Tyler Arnold

The Catholic personal prelature Opus Dei has significantly reduced the scope of its two-week general congress that began this week,... Read more

Pope Francis meets with inmates in a surprise visit to the Regina Coeli prison on Holy Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Rome.

Pope Francis’ love for prisoners remained until the end

Apr 24, 2025

By Almudena Martínez-Bordiú

Prisoners always held a special place in Pope Francis’ heart, and he demonstrated his love for them throughout his pontificate. Read more

Pope Francis speaks at the at the Grotto of Lourdes in the Vatican Gardens on May 31, 2021, against the backdrop of an image of Our Lady, Undoer (or Untier) of Knots.

How Pope Francis spread devotion to Our Lady, Undoer of Knots

Apr 24, 2025

By Tina Dennelly

The popular devotion traces its origins to Germany, in 1612, when a priest ministered to a couple in a difficult... Read more

Pope Francis is welcomed to APEC Haus in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, on Sept. 7, 2024

MAP: Remembering Pope Francis’ many apostolic journeys abroad

Apr 24, 2025

By Jonah McKeown

Pope Francis’ 47 apostolic journeys brought him to 68 countries during his pontificate — many of which included a number... Read more

Cardinals in Rome.

Cardinals converge in Rome as second general congregation gathers 103 prelates

Apr 24, 2025

By Martin Bürger

The second general congregation of cardinals saw attendance nearly double to 103 prelates as they finalize preparations for Pope Francis’... Read more

Pilgrims line up inside the St. Peter’s Basilica to see Pope Francis lying in state.

Grief, sorrow in endless lines to bid farewell to Pope Francis

Apr 23, 2025

By Victoria Cardiel

In the endless lines of pilgrims wishing to pay their final respects to Pope Francis, feelings of grief and sadness... Read more