LIVE UPDATES: Cardinals celebrate fifth Novendiales Mass, ask for prayers for conclave

As the conclave approaches, speculation grows about who will succeed Pope Francis as the next pope.

One potential candidate is Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem. A group of young Christians from Palestine, led by Father Firas Abedrabbo, former personal secretary to Pizzaballa, is in Rome originally for the canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis but instead found themselves present for the pope’s funeral, advocating for Pizzaballa’s election to the papacy.

EWTN Vatican journalist Valentina Di Donato reports from Rome:

Cardinal Leonardo Sandri on Wednesday recalled one of the traditional titles for the pope, the “servant of the servants of God,” and emphasized the papal roles of service and confirming Catholics in the faith.

In several days, Sandri said, the cardinal proto deacon will announce to the Church and the world the “‘gaudium magnum’ (‘great joy’) of having a new pope.”

Read more.

In a pastoral letter published by the Archdiocese of Singapore, Cardinal William Goh called on the faithful to pray for the cardinals involved in electing the successor to St. Peter.

Read more of what he had to say.

The qualities of a pope go far beyond merely being a kind of CEO of the Catholic Church.

Inevitably, at a minimum, he should possess a strong faith and humility, be willing to adhere to the Church’s teachings and apostolic tradition, and personify the pope’s ancient title as “servus servorum Dei,” the servant of the servants of God.

But he should also possess other exceptional qualities, according to Edward Pentin at the National Catholic Register.

Italian Cardinal Camillo Ruini, who chaired the international commission investigating the authenticity of Medjugorje, has offered four criteria for the conclave that will elect Pope Francis’ successor.

In an article titled “Prayer for the Church of the Near Future,” published on the blog “Settimo Cielo” by veteran Italian Vatican expert Sandro Magister, Ruini — who at age 94 is too old to vote in the upcoming conclave — proposes four aspects of the life of the Church he would like to see as the Church moves forward in the next pontificate.

Read what he has to say here.

The College of Cardinals notes that tomorrow, May 1, there will be no general congregation — the daily meeting leading up to the start of the conclave on May 7.

The next congregation is scheduled for Friday, May 2, at 9 a.m. Rome time. For now, no general congregation is planned for Sunday, May 4.

When they enter the Sistine Chapel to elect the successor to Peter’s throne, the European cardinals will carry on their shoulders a heavy responsibility for the fate of their continent, which is facing challenges unprecedented since the Church of the first centuries.

At a time when some postulate that Europe might soon become irrelevant because of the increasing prominence of the Global South — where the Church is growing fastest — it remains, as its institutional and theological center of gravity, a key player in the conclave outcome.

Read more of this analysis at the National Catholic Register.

Cardinals from around the world have made their way to the Vatican to participate in the conclave. There are 14 cardinals representing the United States and Canada  — 10 from the United States and four from Canada.

Here is a complete list of the U.S. and Canada cardinals.

The archdioceses of Spanish Cardinal Antonio Cañizares and Kenyan Cardinal John Njue on Wednesday both confirm the two prelates will not participate in the upcoming papal conclave to elect the successor to Pope Francis. 

The Archdiocese of Valencia told ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner, that Cañizares “will not travel to Rome for health reasons.”

Sources in the Archdiocese of Nairobi, meanwhile, on Wednesday confirm with ACI Africa, CNA’s news partner in Africa, that due to health reasons the African prelate will not travel to Rome to elect the Church’s next supreme pontiff.

Read more here.

The College of Cardinals on Wednesday called on Catholics around the world to pray for them as they prepare to enter the conclave next week to elect the next pope, acknowledging the “enormity of the task ahead” in choosing the next successor of Peter. 

The appeal came as the cardinals concluded their seventh general congregation — the daily meetings leading up to the start of the conclave on May 7. 

Read more here.

The archbishop of Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, tells the National Catholic Register, CNA’s sister news partner, that the cardinals had been considering the necessary qualities for the next successor of Peter.

“Personal holiness is very important for the next pope,” Cardinal John Ribat said.

“He must be someone open and controlling — not in a bad way, but in a way that keeps us all together, journeying together in unity.” 

Read the whole story at the National Catholic Register.

Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki of Cologne, Germany, expects the upcoming papal conclave to last longer than the relatively brief gathering that elected Pope Francis in 2013, the German prelate revealed Tuesday in Rome.

“I hope for a short conclave, but I believe everything is possible,” Woelki told EWTN Program Director Martin Rothweiler and CNA Deutsch Rome correspondent Rudolf Gehrig. “I expect it won’t go as quickly as the last conclave. But maybe I’ll be proven wrong. I would be happy about that.”

The 2013 conclave that elected Pope Francis lasted just two days, making it one of the shortest in modern history.

Read the full story here.

As the College of Cardinals prepares for the upcoming conclave, its members are diligently preparing and praying for the election of the next pope.

Matthew Bunson, vice president of EWTN News, and Edward Pentin, the National Catholic Register’s senior contributor, join “EWTN News Nightly” from Rome to discuss how many cardinals will participate in the upcoming conclave, whether all of them can vote for the next pontiff, and more:

The way to evangelization is “unreserved openness” to others, Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, OFM Conv, said on the fourth day of the Novendiales, the Church’s nine days of mourning for Pope Francis.

Gambetti, who is archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica, celebrated the Mass for the repose of Pope Francis’ soul in the presence of the cardinals and the chapters of the four papal basilicas, which are groups of clergy entrusted with ensuring the liturgical and sacramental care of the basilicas.

Read the full text of the homily here.

The Pontifical Mission Societies USA is launching a prayer campaign to pray for the cardinals involved in the upcoming conclave as they prepare to elect the next pope. 

Monsignor Roger Landry, the national director of the Pontifical Mission Societies USA, encouraged Catholics to pray for the cardinals in a video message from St. Peter’s Square on Monday.

Find out how you can “adopt” a cardinal to pray for here.

The College of Cardinals held their sixth general congregation on Tuesday morning, confirming two cardinal electors will not participate in the upcoming May 7 conclave due to health reasons. 

Read more here.

Cardinal Chibly Langlois, bishop of Les Cayes, will be the first Haitian prelate in the Church’s history to participate and vote in a papal conclave.

Following the death of Pope Francis, Langlois released a statement honoring the life and ministry of the Argentine pontiff who “showed special attention to Haiti” through his words and actions.

Read more here.

Cardinal Charles Bo of Myanmar tells CNA that intends to deliver the following remarks during the general congregations ahead of the May 7 conclave to elect a new pope:

“We stand at a crossroads of history.

“Across the broken plains of Gaza, the devastated cities of Ukraine, the silent cries of Myanmar, and the scorched fields of Africa, the world groans for peace. This is not a time for hesitation — a true tribute to the late Pope Francis is to pursue peace without pause.

“We remember with trembling reverence how Pope Francis, frail yet fierce, knelt before the leaders of South Sudan, pleading for peace with the urgency of a father for his wounded children. That moment became a sermon stronger than any words, a proclamation that true leadership flows from humility, not domination. His voice was not a political calculation — it was a cry from the heart of Christ.

“Yet the storms rage fiercer still. Today, six major wars and more than 20 smaller conflicts continue to kill thousands and displace millions. It is a valley of tears across many nations. No one can escape the machinery of hatred.

“At this very hour, over 13,000 nuclear weapons remain armed and ready enough to destroy human civilization several times over. A single moment of madness, a single spark of hatred could unleash a nuclear holocaust, turning cities to ash, rivers to poison, and the sky to darkness.

“Meanwhile, global warming devastates our common home.  Crops wither, rivers dry up, glaciers melt, and the earth itself groans in anguish. Scientists warn that tomorrow’s wars may not be fought over oil but over water — the very blood of life itself.

“We need a voice! A voice that evangelizes the hardened hearts of those who threaten the very survival of humanity and nature. A voice that calls humanity back from the edge of destruction!

“Indeed, the next pope will nurture the Catholic faith and lead the Church into a deeper encounter with Jesus and his Trinitarian mission of love on earth. But the Incarnation cries out today: We must renew and strengthen the instruments of peace — the United Nations, international courts, and humanitarian accords. Yet these structures are lifeless without the breath of moral authority.

“Religions must unite in a common cause to save humanity. The world urgently needs a new breath of hope — a synodal journey that chooses life over death, hope over despair.

“The next pope must be that breath!”

Pope Francis, who died April 21 at age 88, was laid to rest at the Basilica of St. Mary Major following his funeral on April 26. 

As the world continues to mourn the late pope during the nine-day period known as “Novendiales” (also rendered “Novemdiales”), preparations are underway for the highly-regulated conclave process, which is the means by which a new pope is elected for the Church. 

Here’s what you need to know about what will happen next.

Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu announces on Tuesday that he will not participate in the upcoming conclave to elect Pope Francis’ successor, despite having previously insisted on his right to vote.

In a statement published by several media, the former deputy Secretary of State cited his desire for the good of the Church and the serenity of the conclave as his reasons for withdrawing.

“Having at heart the good of the Church, which I have served and will continue to serve with fidelity and love, and to contribute to the communion and serenity of the Conclave, I have decided, as I have always done, to adhere to the will of Pope Francis not to enter the Conclave while remaining convinced of my innocence,” Cardinal Becciu wrote in Italian.

The 76-year-old cardinal was convicted in a Vatican financial trial in 2023 but has maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings. Last week, he had publicly stated his intention to exercise his right as a cardinal under the age of 80 to vote in the conclave.

Vatican City is issuing special “Sede Vacante MMXXV” commemorative stamps, now available at the Vatican Post Office in St. Peter’s Square. The stamps, featuring the traditional crossed keys beneath an ornamental umbrella (known as the ombrellino), symbolize the current period of transition following Pope Francis’ death on April 21.

The Vatican postal service typically issues these stamps — which bear the Latin inscription “Sede Vacante” (“Empty Chair”) — during an interregnum, continuing a tradition that allows pilgrims and philatelists alike to own a tangible memento of this historic transition in Church leadership.

The stamps are valid for postage until the election of a new pontiff concludes the sede vacante period, though they remain available for collectors afterward.

Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu has renounced his participation in the upcoming conclave.

The former deputy secretary of state has decided to withdraw his name as a cardinal elector despite having insisted last week that he should have a vote.

Read the full blog post at the National Catholic Register.

Cardinal Baldassare Reina, vicar general for the Diocese of Rome, delivers the homily during the third day of Novendiales Masses for Pope Francis on Monday.

Read the full text of the homily here.

Cardinal Baldassare Reina urges the faithful to “discern and order” the late pontiff’s reform initiatives while acknowledging the sense of loss felt by Rome’s Catholics in his homily on the third day of “Novendiales” Masses for Pope Francis.

Speaking at St. Peter’s Basilica on Monday, April 28, the 54-year-old vicar general for the Diocese of Rome describes how the faithful feel like “sheep without a shepherd” following the pontiff’s death.

In addition to the more than 140 international delegations who participated in the solemn celebration of Pope Francis’ funeral Mass, a group of homeless people and several immigrant families also sat in the front rows. In total, there were 40 people seated there who had experienced Pope Francis’ tenderness firsthand during his 12-year pontificate. 

Among them was the 31-year-old Kurdish woman, along with her four children and husband, who had to flee Iraq in the face of the Islamic State’s furious violence and the lack of basic services and opportunities for the future.

Read her story here.

Cardinals over the age of 80 cannot participate in a conclave. Out of the 134 cardinals under 80 taking part in the upcoming 2025 conclave, 15 are 79 years old — some making it under the cutoff just weeks before their 80th birthday.

One of them, Cardinal Antonio Cañizares of Spain, opted out due to health reasons, leaving 134 electors from the original 135 eligible cardinals.

The age limit for electors was introduced by Pope Paul VI in the 1970s and was confirmed by Pope John Paul II’s 1996 apostolic constitution Universi Dominici Gregis.

Here’s a look at the oldest members of the 2025 conclave.

The recent death of Pope Francis on April 21 has reignited interest in the centuries-old “Prophecy of the Popes,” also known as the St. Malachy prophecy, which some say indicates that Pope Francis was the last pope the Church will ever have.

The over-900-year-old prophecy, according to the Catholic Encyclopedia, purports to describe every single pope from the year 1143 until the end of time — and Pope Francis appears, at least at a glance, to be the last pope described in the prophecy, suggesting the world will end now that his papacy has concluded.

A closer look shows that there is some significant evidence against the authenticity of this alleged prophecy. Here’s what you need to know.

Imagine that your cellphone rings and the display says the call is from a “private number.” You expect it to be a telemarketer, but instead when you answer, you hear a man with an Argentine accent say: “This is Francis. I received your letter.”

That phone call happened to Daniel Ibañez, CNA and EWTN News Vatican photographer, on an ordinary weekday morning in December 2018.

Read more about his unique encounter with Pope Francis.

More than 180 cardinals gather Monday for their fifth general congregation, focusing on major challenges facing the Church including evangelization, interfaith relations, and the abuse crisis. As these substantive discussions unfold, Vatican staff begin physically preparing the Sistine Chapel for the May 7 conclave where the next pope will be elected.

Read the full story here.

At the upcoming papal conclave, set to begin May 7, the College of Cardinals will include several notably young members who have traveled to Rome from across the world, from Mongolia to Australia. 

Among the 135 cardinals who are eligible to vote in a conclave, 15 of them are under the age of 60. 

Here are the five youngest cardinals who will help select the next pope.

Among the tens of thousands of mourners paying their respects before the coffin of Pope Francis last week was Gianluigi Buffon, the Italian World Cup-winning goalkeeper.

Pope Francis was a lifelong soccer fan and his passing was felt perhaps most acutely among fans of the San Lorenzo club in Buenos Aires, a team he followed since childhood. During their match on Saturday, the club paid tribute to their most famous fan. San Lorenzo players wore a patch on their shirts with an image of Pope Francis smiling and wearing his papal robes, accompanied by the phrase “Together for Eternity.”

Read more here.

The College of Cardinals has announced that the conclave to elect Pope Francis’ successor will begin on Wednesday, May 7, marking the final phase in the process of selecting the 267th pope.

Read the full story here.

Cardinals are meeting in a general congregation to determine when the conclave to elect a new pope will begin. The pivotal gathering began this morning at the Vatican as the College of Cardinals continues its preparations for electing the next successor to St. Peter.

Sources inside the Vatican confirm that today’s April 28 meeting is specifically focused on setting the official start date for the conclave, where cardinal electors under 80 years of age will cast their votes.

The cardinals have been holding regular general congregation meetings in recent days to discuss the current state and future direction of the Church and global affairs. Today’s decision represents a significant step forward in the process.

Vatican watchers expect an announcement on the conclave date to be made following the conclusion of today’s meeting. We will update this live blog as more information becomes available.

The final journey of Pope Francis through the streets of Rome on Saturday became a tapestry of meaningful moments, from departing through the door near his humble Vatican residence to traveling in the Dodge Ram popemobile that once carried him among the faithful in Mexico. Each element of the 6-kilometer (about 3.5-mile) cortege reflected aspects of his papacy and personal devotions.

Read the full story here.

In a video message recorded in January but only published on Sunday, six days after his death, Pope Francis encourages young people to work on listening well to others.

In the Jan. 8 video, shared by the Italian weekly magazine Oggi, the pope addresses teens and young adults, telling them: “One of the most important things in life is to listen — to learn how to listen.”

“People don’t listen. Halfway through an explanation, they’ll answer, and that doesn’t help peace. Listen — listen a lot,” he urges.

Read the full story here.

A Lithuanian cardinal says that Pope Francis chose his final resting place at the Basilica of St. Mary Major following what the late pontiff described as guidance from the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Speaking to journalists after Saturday’s burial, Cardinal Rolandas Makrickas, coadjutor archpriest of the basilica, shares that he had initially asked Francis on May 13, 2022 — the feast of Our Lady of Fátima — if he would consider being buried at St. Mary Major.

The pope declined, saying popes should traditionally be buried at St. Peter’s Basilica, reported ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner.

However, just one week later, Francis summoned Makrickas and told him: “The Virgin told me ‘prepare your tomb,’” adding: “I am happy that the Virgin has not forgotten about me.”

Mourners lined the streets of Rome yesterday as the pope’s wishes were fulfilled with his burial at the Marian basilica, where pilgrims are now beginning to visit his simple tomb marked “FRANCISCVS.”

St. Peter’s Square is filled with thousands of teenagers and other pilgrims from around the world today as Cardinal Pietro Parolin celebrates Mass on the second day of mourning for Pope Francis, which also falls on Divine Mercy Sunday.

”The shepherd whom the Lord gave to his people, Pope Francis, has ended his earthly life and has left us,” Parolin says in his homily.

Read the full story here.

U.S. Cardinal Raymond Burke is inviting Catholics worldwide to join a solemn novena of hope to Our Lady of Good Counsel beginning May 1 and running until May 9. The prayer initiative comes as the College of Cardinals prepares to enter the conclave to elect the successor to Pope Francis.

“Asking the intercession of Our Lady of Good Counsel is especially important, given the critical decisions which will be made during the coming days and weeks for the good of the Church and of the whole world,” Burke tells the National Catholic Register, CNA’s sister news partner.

Read the whole story at the National Catholic Register.

The parish church of St. Pio V in Rome, not far from the Vatican, has become another site of mourning as parishioners and visitors write their farewells to Pope Francis in a memorial book placed before his portrait.

This parish held special significance in the final months of Francis’ papacy. On March 8, 2024, the pope visited St. Pio V, where he heard confessions and presided over a celebration of reconciliation as part of the “24 Hours for the Lord” initiative.

During that visit, Francis delivered a powerful homily emphasizing one of his signature themes: “God never tires of forgiving.”

A commemorative plaque marking this visit remains prominently displayed in the church, now serving as a poignant reminder of the pope’s recent presence in this community.

The first pilgrims are arriving at the Basilica of St. Mary Major to pray at the tomb of Pope Francis after the late pontiff was buried there on Saturday.

The faithful flocking to the tomb on Sunday morning see the illumination on the marble tomb, located in a niche between two chapels in what was Francis’ favorite basilica.

The stone slab marked “FRANCISCVS” is illuminated by a spotlight that also highlights a small crucifix mounted on the wall above the tomb.

Gendarmes stand guard as visitors, some clutching rosaries and taking photographs, pay their respects at the burial site.

The location fulfills Pope Francis’ final wish to be laid to rest in the basilica he visited more than 100 times during his pontificate, often before and after international trips to pray before the ancient icon of Mary “Salus Populi Romani” (“Protectress of the Roman People”).

As the Catholic Church mourns Pope Francis, there is time to also reflect on his legacy, says Cardinal John Dew of New Zealand.

“I think for me, there was this deep gratitude for what Pope Francis has done for the Church in the 12 years that he was the pontiff — and for the world,” Dew says in a statement released Sunday.

“It’s very emotional to think of that, too, that he’s had such an effect on the world.”

The prelate will be the third New Zealander to participate in a papal election.

Read the full story here.

Pope Francis passed away on April 21, leaving behind what Providence, Rhode Island, Bishop-elect Bruce Lewandowski — one of the last bishops in the world appointed by the late pontiff — said is a legacy of “closeness” and missionary evangelization. 

The Holy Father lived out the Gospel, Lewandowski told CNA this week, “by being close to the poor, close to people who feel far from other people, far from the Church, and far from Jesus. He showed they could experience the closeness of the Lord through him.”

“We’ve talked a lot about evangelization and new evangelization for decades,” the bishop said. “He showed us how to do it.”

After leaving the Vatican for the last time — and a final goodbye to the Eternal City, with his coffin crossing Rome — Pope Francis is buried in a private ceremony in his tomb in the Basilica of St. Mary Major around 1:30 p.m. Saturday afternoon.

He is the eigth pope buried in this church.

Upholding the tradition of his humble predecessors, his tomb is a simple slab bearing his name.

The tomb is located in a niche of the left-side aisle of the basilica, between the Pauline Chapel (which houses the icon known as “Salus Populi Romani” — “Mary, Protection of the Roman People”) and the Sforza Chapel.

Read the whole story here.

The wooden coffin of Pope Francis arrives at the Basilica of St. Mary Major just after 1 p.m. local time on Saturday, completing the solemn procession from St. Peter’s Square through the streets of Rome. Crowds of faithful lined the route as the late pontiff made his final journey to the basilica he visited more than 100 times during his papacy.

The historic Marian basilica will be the pope’s final resting place, where he will be buried in a simple tomb marked only with the word “Franciscus.”

Pope Francis specifically requested burial at St. Mary Major, where seven other popes have their final resting place.

Italian officials estimate that approximately 150,000 people lined the procession route from Vatican City to the basilica, according to a statement released by the Holy See Press Office.

U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hosted a brief meeting at the Vatican on Saturday prior to Pope Francis’ funeral in which the two world leaders discussed the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war.

Zelenskyy shared a photo on X of the two heads of state conferring in a hall at St. Peter’s Basilica. The leaders sat on ornate chairs while discussing efforts to “prevent another war from breaking out,” the Ukrainian leader said.

Trump and Zelenskyy were among the dozens of world leaders in attendance at the pope’s funeral on Saturday.

The solemn funeral Mass for Pope Francis has concluded at St. Peter’s Basilica after Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re completed the final rites of the liturgy.

The funeral procession to the Basilica of St. Mary Major has now begun. The pontiff left the Vatican to cheers from a small crowd gathered to salute the Holy Father on his journey to the place of burial.

Pope Francis will now cross the Eternal City in the popemobile for the final time.

U.S. President Donald Trump and other dignitaries have left the Vatican.

The Holy See Press Office has updated its attendance estimate, now reporting that approximately 250,000 mourners have gathered to pay their respects to the late pontiff.

The procession carrying Pope Francis’ body is now underway to the Basilica of St. Mary Major for burial, following the previously announced route through central Rome.

Members of the diplomatic corps, including world leaders and dignitaries, are departing from St. Peter’s Square as the solemn transfer of the pope’s remains continues to its final destination.

Click here to to read the full homil by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, at the Funeral Mass of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square, April 26, 2025.

As the funeral Mass concludes at St. Peter‘s Square, the Church bids farewell to Pope Francis.

Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals, who presided over the Mass, praised Francis’ “missionary vision, human warmth, spontaneity, witness to mercy, and charisma of welcome and listening.”

Read the full story here.

As the funeral Mass gradually draws to a close on early Saturday afternoon, people are lining up close to the Vatican’s Perugino Gate to bid farewell as Pope Francis leaves the Vatican for the very last time.

The coffin of the 266th pontiff will be brought to the Basilica of St. Mary Major. The burial location is in accordance with the wishes the Holy Father publicized prior to his death.

The Holy See Press Office confirms approximately 200,000 people are currently in attendance at the funeral Mass of Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square and surrounding areas.

The announcement comes from Vatican officials as Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re continues to preside over the solemn funeral liturgy.

The massive gathering represents one of the largest assemblies of mourners in Vatican City since the funeral of Pope John Paul II in 2005, reflecting the global impact of Pope Francis’ pontificate.

The funeral Mass for Pope Francis is now underway at St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City, where tens of thousands of mourners have gathered to bid farewell to the 266th pontiff.

As the coffin emerged from the basilica shortly after 10 a.m. Rome time, the solemn silence gave way to applause — a gesture of respect and final salute.

Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals, is presiding over the funeral liturgy for the Argentine pontiff who led the Catholic Church for 12 years.

Francis will be buried at the Basilica of St. Mary Major, which is a break from the recent papal tradition of being buried in the Vatican grottoes. The burial location is in accordance with the wishes the Holy Father publicized prior to his death. 

Today’s funeral starts off the traditional “Novendiales,” nine consecutive days of mourning for the suffrage of the late pope.

President Donald Trump’s motorcade has arrived at Vatican City, joining the procession of global leaders coming to pay their final respects to Pope Francis. The presidential limousine, accompanied by Secret Service vehicles and Italian security forces, made its way through the specially cleared routes to St. Peter’s Square ahead of the funeral Mass scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. local time.

Trump and First Lady Melania Trump are among more than 100 heads of state and government leaders attending the funeral, including Argentina’s President Javier Milei representing the pontiff’s homeland and numerous European leaders such as French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Former U.S. President Joe Biden and former First Lady Jill Biden are also expected to attend.

Patriarchs and prelates from many denominations and churches as well as religious representatives from around the world are also in attendance.

The gathering represents one of the largest assemblies of world leaders in recent years, demonstrating Pope Francis’ global influence during his 12-year pontificate. Security measures throughout Rome are extraordinarily tight, with Italian military and police securing a wide perimeter around Vatican City, including the Tiber River.

Watch now: The funeral Mass of Pope Francis is being livestreamed from St. Peter’s Square by EWTN Vatican, allowing Catholics worldwide to participate in this historic moment of prayer and remembrance.

As the Church bids farewell to the 265th successor of St. Peter, EWTN invites viewers to share where they’re watching from and submit prayer requests that will unite the global Catholic community in this solemn occasion.

As St. Peter’s Square continues to fill under clear morning skies, the solemn atmosphere is punctuated by communal prayer. At approximately 8:45 a.m. local time, thousands of pilgrims joined together in praying the Litany of the Saints, their voices rising in unison across the Vatican grounds.

The ancient litany, invoking the intercession of the communion of saints, provides a prayerful backdrop as the faithful gather to bid farewell to Pope Francis.

Thousands of pilgrims are streaming into St. Peter’s Square as Vatican officials open the gates around 6 a.m. Rome time on Saturday, with many rushing forward to secure prime viewing locations for Pope Francis’ funeral Mass.

Some faithful have been waiting through the night, lining the streets for more than 12 hours to bid farewell to the late pontiff who touched so many lives during his 12-year papacy.

The funeral Mass, scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. local time (4 a.m. ET), and livestreamed by EWTN, will be presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re.

Here is everything you need to know about how to watch Pope Francis’ funeral and other important details.

Watch the funeral Mass of Pope Francis from St. Peter’s Basilica live on EWTN’s YouTube channel here.

Coverage begins at 2:30 a.m. ET.

The liturgical celebration will be presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals. At the conclusion of the Mass, the coffin of the Holy Father will be taken in procession to the Papal Basilica of St. Mary Major, where the burial will take place. Let us pray together for the eternal rest of our beloved Pope Francis.

At 9:45 p.m. Rome time, 12 hours before Pope Francis’ funeral is set to take place, the first of thousands of pilgrims were already lining up along the streets to catch a glimpse of the late pontiff as his body passes by on the way to the Basilica of St. Mary Major — his final burial place.

The funeral for Pope Francis will be held on Saturday morning in St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City.

Saturday’s funeral will kick off the traditional “Novendiales,” nine consecutive days of mourning for the suffrage of the late pope. He will be buried at the Basilica of St. Mary Major.

Here is everything you need to know about how to watch Pope Francis’ funeral and other important details.

Among the more than 250,000 people who made their way to the Vatican this week were the nocturnal pilgrims wanting to catch a final glimpse of Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Basilica before his Saturday funeral.   

To host the streams of pilgrims in mourning to St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican extended opening hours — with the support of thousands of jubilee and Civil Protection volunteers — to allow visitors to pay their last respects to the late pontiff past midnight. 

Here is a list of leaders from around the world who are among the dignitaries who have announced they will attend Pope Francis’ funeral on Saturday, April 26, at the Vatican.

Pope Francis’ more than 12-year pontificate — characterized by an emphasis on mercy and compassion, the need to care for creation, and attention to the marginalized and “peripheries” of the Church and society — deeply resonated with the people of God in Africa, according to ACI Africa, CNA’s news partner in Africa, with one exception related to the release of a controversial Vatican document.

This is how the private ritual for the closing of Pope Francis’ coffin took place. The coffin was closed on the evening of April 25. Archbishop Diego Giovanni Ravelli placed a white silk veil over the late pope’s face. The action is part of the funeral rites for popes.

The death of Pope Francis marks the end of an era for the Catholic Church in Latin America. As the first Latin American pontiff, his legacy in the region is complex, according to analysts consulted by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner.

His 12-year pontificate coincided with multiple challenges in the region, including dictatorial regimes in Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, mass migration, and sexual abuse scandals within the Church.

Pope Francis’ coffin was closed and sealed in St. Peter’s Basilica in a private ceremony on Friday evening, after more than 250,000 people paid their final respects to the late pope over three days of public visitation.

Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the camerlengo, presided over the rite of the closing and sealing of the coffin, which was attended by cardinals of the Roman Curia, the pope’s secretaries, and several of his relatives.

Priests of the Chapter of St. Peter, a group responsible for the liturgical and sacramental care of St. Peter’s Basilica, will keep vigil over the late pontiff’s coffin during the night of April 25 until the funeral Mass in St. Peter’s Square on the morning of April 26.

The Vatican on Friday afternoon published the text of the rogito, the short papal biography that will be buried with Pope Francis following his funeral on Saturday.

The traditional document gives a brief description of Francis' life and his papacy. It was published in both Latin and Italian.

A copy of the rogito will be sealed in a metal tube and placed in the late pontiff's coffin, along with coins and medals minted during Francis’ pontificate, before the pope is interred in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome.

Throughout his papacy, Francis took steps to appoint and integrate women into leadership roles in the Vatican. From the time he took office in 2013, the number of female employees working in the Vatican increased from about 850 at the beginning of Francis’ papacy to nearly 1,200 in 2023, according to a report by Vatican News. 

As of 2023, more than 1 in 4 employees of the Roman Curia — the group of bureaus that support the pope in governing the Church — are women.

As the Church reflects on Francis’ legacy and the confidence he placed in women to help lead the Church, CNA takes a closer look at four religious sisters appointed to some of the highest-ranking leadership roles in the Vatican. 

Pope Francis’ tomb is made of Ligurian (Italian) marble with the sole inscription “FRANCISCUS” and a reproduction of his pectoral cross, according to new details released by the Vatican.

The burial place is located in the niche of the side aisle, between the Pauline Chapel (Chapel of Our Lady of Health of the Roman People) and the Sforza Chapel in St. Mary Major Basilica. It is also located near the altar dedicated to St. Francis. 

Work to receive Pope Francis’ coffin began a few days ago, fulfilling the pontiff’s wish for a simple burial in this church dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

The Holy See Press Office announces that since the morning of Wednesday, April 23, at 11 a.m., when St. Peter’s Basilica was opened for public viewing of Pope Francis, until Friday evening at 7 p.m. Rome time approximately 250,000 people passed through St. Peter’s Basilica to pay their respects to Pope Francis.

One hundred forty-nine cardinals attended the fourth general congregation this morning, including new arrivals who took the oath.

Archbishop Diego Ravelli noted that the funeral rite for Pope Francis will be the funeral of a shepherd, not of a sovereign.

Pope Francis’ coffin will be closed in a private ceremony Friday night.

“Conclave” was a surprise hit upon its theatrical release last October. And following the April 21 death of Pope Francis, the film, now on streaming platforms, has attracted a new wave of interest from viewers, with streaming rates of the film reportedly tripling in the days since the pope’s death was announced.

Here’s a (non-exhaustive) look at what “Conclave” gets wrong — and gets right — about the process of electing a new pope.

Pope Francis was the 265th successor of St. Peter.

Here is a timeline of key events during his papacy.

Among the thousands of pilgrims traveling to the Vatican to show respect and affection to the late Pope Francis are players and members of major Italian soccer franchises.

Players with the SS Lazio teams and the Italian national football teams waited hours in line to say goodbye to the pope, whose body is lying in state in St. Peter’s Basilica.

The day before, AS Roma players, led by coach Claudio Ranieri, also attended St. Peter’s Basilica to pay their last tributes to the Argentine pontiff, ChurchPop, a news service of EWTN News, reported on Friday.

President Donald Trump, on his way to Rome for the funeral of Pope Francis, told EWTN News White House Correspondent Owen Jensen that he’ll remember the pope as “a fantastic kind of a guy.”

Like his predecessors, Pope Francis’ pontificate was marked not only by historic events and memorable themes but also by his personality, character, and style.

Here’s a look at these more personal moments — many of them unscripted and spontaneous — reminds us that beneath the white cassock is always a man who brings his own charisms to the role.

Pope Francis’ coffin will be sealed in a liturgical rite this evening ahead of his solemn funeral, set to take place the next morning on Saturday, April 26. 

Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the camerlengo, will preside at the Rite of Sealing of the Coffin beginning at 8 p.m. Rome time April 25, the Vatican announced. After his death on April 21, the pope’s body — dressed in red liturgical vestments with the miter and pallium — had been placed in a simple wooden coffin with a zinc lining. 

Read more about what happens during this rite.

On his way into the Vatican on Friday morning for the day’s general congregation of cardinals, Ajaccio bishop Cardinal François-Xavier Bustillo was asked by journalists about a “simple memory of Pope Francis.”

“He was a free man,” the Spanish-born Bustillo told reporters. “And that’s the beauty of it — a free man who loved people. He humanized the Church without desacralizing it.”  

When asked about the atmosphere in the synod hall, the French prelate replied: “[It’s] good, good, full of trust and hope.”

In a touching display of devotion, Ulmer, a homeless Romanian man who sleeps on the streets near the Vatican, has created a small memorial for Pope Francis near his sleeping area.

The simple shrine includes a photo of the late pontiff alongside images of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary, surrounded by flowers and candles.

Ulmer, who tells ACI MENA Rome correspondent Elias Turk he personally met Pope Francis on several occasions, is joining the thousands of mourners at St. Peter’s Basilica today.

At 2:30 p.m. local time, he is visiting the basilica accompanied by a priest from St. Gregorio VII Church to say his final goodbye to the pope.

St. Peter’s Basilica will remain open until 7 p.m. local time today. However, access to the queue will end one hour earlier to ensure the closing time is maintained and to allow those in line to enter the basilica.

More than 128,000 people have visited St. Peter’s Basilica to pay their final respects to Pope Francis, according to figures released by the Holy See Press Office on Friday afternoon.

The basilica, which remained open until 2:30 a.m. before reopening at 5:40 a.m. this morning, has seen a constant stream of mourners filing past the late pontiff’s body since it was first placed on public view on Wednesday morning.

The Vatican reports that the extraordinary influx of pilgrims began at 11 a.m. on Wednesday and continued through 8 a.m. Friday, with many waiting hours in line for a brief moment to bid farewell to the 265th successor of St. Peter.

Pope Francis’ body will remain on display until late Friday evening, with his funeral scheduled for tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. Rome time in St. Peter’s Square.

Cardinal Angelo Becciu is reportedly seeking to participate in the upcoming conclave despite having been stripped of his cardinalitial privileges in 2020 and later convicted of financial crimes.

The former deputy Vatican secretary of state tells Italian media he will “participate in the conclave,” claiming his cardinal privileges “remain intact.”

Read the full story here.

The Vatican’s Protocol Office announces that 130 official delegations are now confirmed for Pope Francis’ funeral on Saturday, including approximately 50 heads of state and 10 reigning monarchs.

Thousands of mourners are expected to gather in St. Peter’s Square for the funeral Mass, after which the pope’s remains will be transferred to the Basilica of St. Mary Major for burial.

Cardinal Vinko Puljić, the archbishop emeritus of Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina, will attend the upcoming conclave after receiving medical clearance, reversing his earlier announcement that health concerns would prevent his participation.

According to a statement released Thursday by the Archdiocese of Sarajevo, Puljić received a “positive medical assessment” clearing him to travel to Rome and participate in both the general congregations and the conclave to elect Pope Francis’ successor.

Having received this medical clearance on Thursday, the cardinal will not be able to attend Pope Francis’ funeral and burial on Saturday but “will travel to the Eternal City next week and join the College of Cardinals,” the statement says.

Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle leads the fourth evening rosary in memory of Pope Francis on Thursday at the Papal Basilica of St. Mary Major, where the late pontiff will be buried following Saturday’s funeral.

Tagle reflects on today’s Gospel reading of the risen Jesus appearing to his troubled disciples, asking them: “Why are you troubled? And why do questions arise in your hearts?”

“These words of the risen Christ are addressed to each of us to give hope and certainty to our lives,” Tagle says, explaining that Jesus “came to give us life, a life that will have no end.”

This prayer service marks the fourth in a series being held during the nine-day mourning period, which will culminate with the pope’s funeral and burial at St. Mary Major on Saturday, April 26.

Before becoming Pope Francis, he was Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the powerful archbishop of Buenos Aires in Argentina. EWTN’s Colm Flynn travels to Pope Francis’ home city to meet the friends and family who knew him best:

Father Arturo Sosa, SJ, superior general of the Society of Jesus, reflected on the first Jesuit pope in a press conference on Thursday, saying Francis “did not seek to please everyone” or to measure himself by a popularity index.

“Once he chose to be a disciple of Jesus, his deep motivation in life was to put God’s will into practice,” Sosa said, calling the late pontiff “a man of prayer, who asked for prayers to make decisions according to the will of God.”

How can you watch Pope Francis’ funeral on Saturday?

Here is a schedule of EWTN coverage of the funeral and of prayerful events during the interregnum.

High-ranking heads of state and Catholic bishops in China have remained notably silent following the death of Pope Francis, while reactions from political and religious leaders across the globe poured out on social media within hours of the pope’s passing on Monday morning. 

AsiaNews reported on Tuesday that Chinese officials are not permitted to express themselves publicly on Pope Francis’ death due the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)’s control over the Church there.

Read more.

Like all popes since the Second Vatican Council, Pope Francis made a point of reaching out to non-Catholics, building bridges and engaging in dialogue. His consistent efforts toward Christian unity over his 12-year pontificate produced several historic moments in ecumenical relations. 

While his interreligious achievements — like the 2019 Abu Dhabi declaration on human fraternity, signed by Pope Francis and the grand imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmed Al-Tayeb — have often garnered greater attention, the pope’s ecumenical initiatives with other Christian communities have also left a meaningful mark on his legacy. 

Read more about them here.

Celebrities who had the opportunity to meet Pope Francis during his papacy are remembering the late pontiff, sharing their experiences with the pope and reflecting on his warmth and legacy.

Following the death of Pope Francis, the Vatican has announced which cardinals will offer the traditional “Novendialies” Masses — nine days of mourning marked by solemn Masses offered for the repose of the soul of the deceased pope.

In keeping with ancient custom, each day of the Novendiales includes a requiem Mass following the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis (2024). While the Masses are open to the public, each day traditionally focuses on a particular community or group associated with the pope’s ministry from the Diocese of Rome to the Eastern Churches.

Find out who will say the Novendiales Masses here.

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

The Holy See Press Office announces that since yesterday at 11 a.m., when St. Peter’s Basilica opened to the public for mourners to say their final goodbyes to Pope Francis, until 7 p.m. Thursday evening, more than 90,000 people have passed through the basilica to pay their respects to Pope Francis.

Of the many devotions Pope Francis promoted during his pontificate, perhaps none is better known than his devotion to Our Lady, Undoer of Knots (also referred to as Our Lady, Untier of Knots).

Read more about his devotion here.

Pope Francis traveled abroad on apostolic journeys nearly 50 times during his 12-year papacy. The octagenarian pope continued to travel even after being hampered for a time by the COVID-19 pandemic and battling failing health in the latter years of his life. 

Francis’ 47 apostolic journeys brought him to 68 countries, Vatican News reported Monday — and those journeys included a number of papal firsts.

Check out the interactive map here to see a selection of some of Pope Francis’ most notable apostolic journeys.

The 113 cardinals now present in Rome are beginning to discuss “the Church and the world” in pre-conclave meetings at the Vatican, according to the Holy See Press Office.

The College of Cardinals, which met in the third general congregation for two and half hours on Thursday morning, is also finalizing details about their next meetings, including the choice of Cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa, former papal preacher, to give the meditation on the first day of the conclave. Abbot Donato Ogliari, OSB, will give the meditation at the start of next week.

Other topics of discussion among the cardinals include further papal funeral and burial organization, and changes to who will celebrate the daily Masses for Pope Francis during the Novendiales, or nine days of mourning.

The Vatican announces early Thursday morning that St. Peter’s Basilica briefly closed its doors between 5:30 a.m. and 7 a.m. local time before reopening for the continuing public viewing of Pope Francis’ body.

The basilica is hosting a continuous stream of pilgrims, clergy, and dignitaries since the late pontiff’s body was placed on public display Wednesday morning. Vatican officials maintain extended hours to allow as many visitors as possible to bid farewell to the Holy Father before Saturday’s funeral.

Long lines continue to form around St. Peter’s Square as mourners from around the world wait for their opportunity to pay final respects to the 265th successor of St. Peter, who led the Church for just over 12 years.

The College of Cardinals sees a significant surge in attendance at Wednesday’s general congregation, with 103 cardinals now present in Rome — nearly double the approximately 60 who participated in Tuesday’s initial gathering.

The cardinals begin with prayers for Pope Francis before finalizing the schedule for the Novendiales Masses, which will be celebrated by eight different cardinals following Saturday’s funeral liturgy presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re.

Meanwhile, throngs of faithful continue to pay their respects at St. Peter’s Basilica, with waiting times stretching to five hours despite Vatican reports of 20,000 visitors by Wednesday evening.

Read the full report here.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance says that he is refusing to politicize Pope Francis’ death, hailing the late pontiff as a “broad” figure and a “great” leader of the Catholic Church. 

Among the people throughout the world remembering Pope Francis in a special way this week are three Americans who shared extraordinarily personal moments with him during his apostolic visit to the United States in September 2015.

Pope Francis, baptized as Jorge Mario Bergoglio, celebrated his patron saint’s feast day every April 23. The patron saint’s day of the pope is a holiday at the Vatican and Pope Francis usually celebrated it with acts of charity toward people in need.

The patron saint of the late pontiff, St. George, is credited with protecting the papacy and is also known as an intercessor in the fight against evil.

Pope Francis was known to take every opportunity to celebrate special occasions with the poorest, as was also the case on his birthday, when he often invited hundreds of them to dine with him at the Vatican.

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

Long lines of mourners, many waiting more than four hours under the hot Roman sun, wound around St. Peter’s Square on the first day of viewing on April 23. Vatican officials indicated that they might need to extend the basilica’s hours past midnight to accommodate the large turnout.

As people slowly made their way to the basilica, some prayed the rosary, while others sang hymns. Once inside, people were able to spend a moment in prayer before the late pope’s open casket in front of the main altar and the tomb of St. Peter.

Clad in red vestments, a bishop’s miter on his head, and a rosary clasped in his hands, Francis was watched over in silence by four Swiss Guards standing vigil.

The public viewing in the basilica will continue for three days, concluding Friday at 7 p.m. when the casket will be sealed ahead of the funeral.

Visitors to the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore (St. Mary Major) on Wednesday witnessed ongoing construction of the tomb of Pope Francis, who will be interred in the soaring basilica after his funeral on Saturday.

The Holy Father had specifically requested to be buried in the basilica due to his devotion to the Blessed Mother. The church was completed in 1743.

Francis will join seven other popes buried at Maria Maggiore. The Holy Father regularly visited the basilica to pray and did a brief pilgrimage there earlier this month, about nine days before his death.

Having cared for the aging Pope Francis as his personal nurse since 2022, Italian nurse Massimiliano Strappetti was among the few people who saw the Holy Father moments before his death on Easter Monday.

Before being appointed Pope Francis’ personal nurse in August 2022, Strappetti was the nursing coordinator for the Vatican’s health department. He started working in the Vatican in 2002 after having worked eight years in the intensive care unit of Rome’s Gemelli Hospital.

The pope’s last words and final greetings were reportedly addressed to Strappetti, the man he trusted to care for him throughout the multiple illnesses and health emergencies he endured in the last years of his life.

Pope Francis ordered that upon his death he would be buried in the Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore (Basilica of St. Mary Major). This basilica was very dear to him. Francis, however, will not be the only pope to be buried outside of the Vatican City State.

In the history of the Catholic Church, there have been 266 popes, and only about 30 of them have been buried outside of Rome. 

Who are the other popes not buried in the Vatican? Find out here.

As Catholics around the world mourn the passing of Pope Francis, a highly regulated process has now begun that will see the pope’s earthly body laid to rest and a conclave convened to elect his successor. 

As of this moment, the chair of St. Peter is vacant — and you may have seen the phrases “sede vacante” and “interregnum” being used to describe the present period. Here’s a breakdown of what those phrases mean. 

“In view of the high turnout of faithful wishing to pay homage to the Holy Father, the possibility of extending the opening of the Vatican Basilica beyond the established time of midnight is not ruled out,” the Holy See Press Office announces Wednesday afternoon Rome time.

In anticipation of Pope Francis’ funeral Mass on Saturday, the city of Rome has installed jumbo-screens all along Via della Conciliazione, the main thoroughfare to the Vatican, and around the city center, to allow more people to participate in the liturgy.

The global event will be covered by press from around the world, hundreds of whom have descended on Rome to report on the historic moment in the Catholic Church. As St. Peter’s Square and the surrounding areas buzzed with pilgrims, tourists, and journalists on Wednesday, platforms for live broadcasts were being constructed in multiple locations close to St. Peter’s Basilica. The Holy See Press Office also announced on Wednesday that it had opened a second work station for media close to the Vatican, in addition to the main press office.

Now is the time to say farewell in person: Pope Francis will lie in state in St. Peter’s Basilica for the public to see, pray, and say goodbye until Friday evening, April 25.

Cardinal Kevin Farrell will close the coffin in preparation for the funeral Mass on Saturday.  

The Vatican says that Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the camerlengo, will preside over the rite of closing Pope Francis’ coffin on Friday, April 25, at 8 p.m. Rome time (2 p.m. ET) in St. Peter’s Basilica.

According to a statement released by Archbishop Diego Ravelli, master of pontifical liturgical celebrations, this private ceremony follows the protocols established in the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis (The Order of Funeral Rites for the Roman Pontiff).

The solemn rite takes place in the presence of various Church authorities as the late pontiff’s body is prepared for burial, which will occur after the funeral Mass on Saturday.

The transfer of Pope Francis’ coffin to St. Peter’s Basilica began at 9 a.m. local time today, April 23, following a prayer ceremony in the chapel of Casa Santa Marta.

The doors of St. Peter’s Basilica opened at 11 a.m. local time (5 a.m. ET) for the public, allowing more than 20,000 faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square to pay their final respects to Pope Francis on Wednesday.

The late pontiff’s coffin rests before the altar on a modest wooden platform, placed almost at ground level.

Pilgrims are pausing to pray for a few moments before moving on, in a solemn procession that will continue until the pope’s burial at St. Mary Major Basilica following Saturday’s funeral Mass, which will be celebrated by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

The Vatican “sediari” — the same bearers who in past centuries carried the portable papal throne — transported the coffin on their shoulders to St. Peter’s Square, accompanied by cardinals currently present in Rome.

From Casa Santa Marta to the Vatican Basilica, the procession was marked by visible emotion among onlookers. Some could not hold back tears as they followed in respectful silence the final journey of the “pope of the peripheries.”

On Friday at 8 p.m. local time, Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, in his role as camerlengo of Holy Roman Church, will preside over the rite of closing of the coffin of the Roman Pontiff Francis.

Thousands of faithful gather in St. Peter’s Square Tuesday evening to pray the rosary for the soul of Pope Francis, led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals.

Under the twilight sky, religious sisters, priests, and lay faithful from around the world unite in prayer for the late pontiff, who often concluded his public appearances with the simple request: “Please, don’t forget to pray for me.”

Before beginning the rosary, Re reminds those present that “death is not a door that closes but rather the entrance to the heavenly Jerusalem, where mourning is turned into dancing and the garment of grief into a robe of joy.”

The rosary, focused on the glorious mysteries, highlights the Church’s unity in grief and hope. “It is the entire flock of Christ, the Good Shepherd, that prays for Pope Francis,” Re says.

This communal prayer marks one of several public moments of mourning scheduled before Pope Francis’ funeral, which will take place on Saturday.

At the first general congregation of cardinals in Rome on Tuesday, the estimated 60 cardinals in attendance chose the date of Pope Francis’ funeral and suspended beatification celebrations.

The closed-door meeting to discuss the upcoming conclave and other issues pertaining to the interregnum took place at 9 a.m. local time the day after the death of the pontiff as cardinals hurried from around the world to the Eternal City. 

As part of the interregnum period, the cardinals will meet frequently to make various decisions about the upcoming papal funeral and conclave. 

With the death of Pope Francis on Monday, the Catholic Church has entered a mourning period, which will include nine days of Masses offered for the repose of his soul known as the “Novendiales.” 

What happens during these nine days? CNA explains here.

Father Gabriel Romanelli, the pastor of Holy Family Parish in Gaza, summed up Pope Francis’ last call on Saturday night, April 19, moments before going to St. Peter’s Basilica to pray before the Easter Vigil.

“He told us he was praying for us, blessed us, and thanked us for our prayers on his behalf,” Romanelli said.

Over the past 19 months, the Holy Father has maintained constant contact with Gaza as it suffered the effects of the Israel-Hamas war.

Pope Francis greeted the faithful around the world for the last time from St. Peter’s Basilica on the most important day for Christians: Easter, the heart and foundation of the Catholic faith that proclaims Christ’s triumph over sin and death.

Read more about the final days of Pope Francis’ life.

Cardinal José Advíncula, OP, and Cardinal Pablo David — two of three cardinal electors appointed by Pope Francis — on Tuesday presided over requiem Masses in the Philippines and praised the late Holy Father for his humble service and love for the poor and wounded.

Advíncula and David are expected to travel to Rome to participate — alongside fellow Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, pro-prefect for the section of first evangelization of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Evangelization — in the upcoming conclave to elect the next leader of the universal Church.

It will be the first time in the Church’s history that three Filipino cardinals will participate in a papal conclave.

In the midst of the Easter season — a time Pope Francis long proclaimed as a message of hope — churches across the Middle East are bidding the pope farewell with liturgies and prayer, while Arab leaders are paying tribute to him with messages of respect and appreciation. 

Read more here.

Across many homilies, audiences, and off-the-cuff reflections throughout his papacy, Pope Francis offered such grandfatherly advice on marriage, family, youth, the elderly, and other aspects of Catholic life — using signature turns of phrase.

Here are some highlights of other times he offered folksy advice to the faithful.

The Vatican on Tuesday released a previously unpublished text by Pope Francis following his passing on Monday containing the late pontiff’s reflections on aging and death.

“We must not be afraid of old age; we must not fear embracing becoming old, because life is life, and sugarcoating reality means betraying the truth of things,” wrote Francis in the preface to a book in Italian by Cardinal Angelo Scola, “Awaiting a New Beginning: Reflections on Old Age,” which will be available on Thursday.

Cardinal William Goh celebrated a memorial Mass for Pope Francis in Singapore on Tuesday, saying the late Holy Father had a “heart for everyone” and was dedicated to leading the Church toward a “new evangelization” through mercy and love.

After expressing the “real shock” the Church felt following the news of the pope’s death on Easter Monday, Goh said the Archdiocese of Singapore swiftly organized the Tuesday afternoon memorial Mass held in the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd.

The start of a papal interregnum brings many terms that may not be familiar to many people, including many Catholics.

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

Throughout his 12-year papacy, Pope Francis gave many addresses, talks, and statements, and he penned numerous encyclicals and apostolic exhortations emphasizing themes of hope, mercy, compassion, and joy. 

His words often focused on the dignity of the poor, migrants, refugees, and the elderly as well as the importance of marriage, family life, and care for the environment. Advocating for “synodality,” Francis also called for a Church that listens and walks together. 

Here is a collection of quotes that reflect Pope Francis’ vision for a more compassionate and Christ-centered world.

In remembrance of the Pope Francis’ message urging the faithful to take action to protect the natural environment and to celebrate Earth Day, marked every year on April 22, here are 10 quotes from Pope Francis on creation and care for the environment.

Pope Francis visited the United States just once, nearly 10 years ago, in September 2015. 

Despite the brevity of the visit, he accomplished a lot: Attracting hundreds of thousands of participants, he canonized a new saint (St. Junípero Serra), became the first pope to ever address a joint session of Congress, and galvanized the U.S. Catholic community with his presence and his speeches on the East Coast.

Here’s a look back at his visit.

Pope Francis’ last public act was a blessing of the entire world on Easter Sunday, delivered from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica — the same place where he was introduced as pope 12 years ago. 

In the wake of his death, the Vatican released further details on Tuesday about the pope’s final hours. 

The Vatican on Tuesday released the first photos of Pope Francis after his death, showing him dressed in red vestments and lying in a simple wooden coffin inside the chapel of the Santa Marta guesthouse. 

The photos, taken on the evening of April 21 during the first step of the papal funeral rites, show the pontiff, who died earlier in the day at the age of 88, holding a rosary and wearing the papal miter and pallium.

Pope Francis’ funeral Mass will take place Saturday, April 26, at 10 a.m. in St. Peter’s Square, the Vatican announced Tuesday. 

The Mass will be presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals. 

Thousands of Argentines gathered Monday evening in the Basilica of San José de Flores in Buenos Aires, where Pope Francis discovered his vocation, to pray for the soul of the beloved shepherd they always hoped to see again.

The Vatican on Monday evening hosted a praying of the rosary in St. Peter’s Square following the death of Pope Francis earlier in the day.

See the photo essay here.

Bishops and cardinals around the United States joined in prayer and mourning following the death of Pope Francis on Monday, recalling the pope’s legacy of service, prayer, and faith.

Following the death of Pope Francis, an Irish-American cardinal is playing a leading role in overseeing Vatican affairs until the election of a new pope. 

Learn more about Cardinal Kevin Farrell, a key figure in the papal succession, and his responsibilities as the camerlengo. 

Following Pope Francis’ death at age 88 on Easter Monday, the Vatican carried out the first stage in the papal funeral rites, called “the rite of the ascertainment of death and deposition in the coffin.”

Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the camerlengo, presided over the rite in the chapel of Pope Francis’ Vatican residence, the Casa Santa Marta, just a little over 12 hours after the pontiff’s death, at 8 p.m. Rome time.

According to the Vatican, the rite took under one hour and the pontiff’s remains will stay overnight in the chapel of Casa Santa Marta.

The Holy See on Monday evening released the death certificate detailing the cause of death of Pope Francis, who died in his Vatican apartment at 7:35 a.m. in Rome on April 21, the day after Easter.

The Vatican also released the pope’s testament, which can be read in its entirety here.

World leaders from around the globe released statements of mourning and remembrance on Monday in response to the death of Pope Francis, who passed away Monday morning at age 88.

The Catholic Church has many historical customs and traditions related to the handling of a pope’s mortal remains between the time of his death and his burial. 

Read more about them here.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said on Monday that he was “deeply saddened” by the passing of Pope Francis in Rome earlier in the day.

The prime minister “extended his heartfelt condolences on behalf of the government and people of Japan,” the minister’s office said in a press statement.

The pope “worked hard to protect the environment and promote peaceful diplomacy” during his pontificate, the prime minister said.

U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres on Monday hailed the late Pope Francis as a “transcendent voice for peace, human dignity, and social justice,” praising the departed pontiff for his work reaching out to “those left on the margins of life.”

The pope “was a man of faith for all faiths — working with people of all beliefs and backgrounds to light a path forward,” Guterres said in a press statement.

“Our divided and discordant world will be a much better place if we follow his example of unity and mutual understanding in our own actions,” the leader said.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday ordered U.S. government flags to be flown at half staff in honor of the late Pope Francis.

The president said in a Truth Social post that he made the order “as a mark of respect for the memory” of the departed pontiff.

Flags should be flown at half-staff at “all public buildings and grounds,” including embassies and consular offices, “until sunset on the day of [the pope’s] interment.”

The death of Pope Francis begins the so-called “sede vacante,” a period when the See of Peter lies vacant. The time of the sede vacante after the pope’s death brings with it a series of symbols, traditions, and protocols that have existed for centuries and express the papacy’s essence. 

Read more about them here.

The Dalai Lama on Monday mourned the passing of Pope Francis, urging the world to take up the late pontiff’s example of service and generosity. 

The Buddhist leader wrote to Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli, the apostolic nuncio to India, to “express his sadness on learning that His Holiness Pope Francis has passed away” earlier on Monday. 

The pope “dedicated himself to the service of others, consistently revealing by his own actions how to live a simple, but meaningful, life,” the Dalai Lama said. 

“The best tribute we can pay to him is to be a warmhearted person, serving others wherever and in whatever way we can.”

Winona-Rochester Bishop Robert Barron on Monday mourned Pope Francis’ passing, hailing the late pontiff as a “great pastor” who preached “mercy and evangelization” over the course of his pontificate.

Barron noted the pope’s characterization of the Church as “a field hospital to those wounded by our postmodern, relativistic society.”

“Pope Francis had a keen awareness of the destructiveness of sin, and he encouraged the Church to show the world the merciful face of Christ,” the bishop wrote on X.

“On the occasions when he and I spoke, his comments would burn their way into my heart and mind,” he said.

Sydney Archbishop Anthony Fisher on Monday said Pope Francis’ death during Easter is a “very special” sign of grace during the holy season.

Speaking to press at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney on Monday, Fisher recalled Pope John Paul II’s death in 2005 around the Easter season. “[John Paul II’s] long suffering was a great sign to us of dignity in suffering and in old age,” Fisher said.

“[A]nd I think that Pope Francis has given similar witness that he persevered through his old age and sickness, kept trying to serve God and serve people to the end,” the prelate added.

“And for him to die at Easter is very special because, as he said himself yesterday, this is when we Christians celebrate eternal life,” the archbishop said.

Argentinian President Javier Milei on Monday said it was a “true honor” to have known Pope Francis, who was born in Argentina and who served as the first pope from the Americas.

“Despite differences that seem minor today, having been able to know him in his kindness and wisdom was a true honor for me,” Milei said in a post on X.

“As president, as an Argentine, and, fundamentally, as a man of faith, I bid farewell to the Holy Father and stand with all of us who are today dealing with this sad news,” he wrote.

The European bishops on Monday mourned the passing of Pope Francis by hailing his “desire to bring the joy of the Gospel to the men and women of our time.”

“With profound gratitude and emotion, we remember our Holy Father Francis, who tirelessly led the Church with courage and strength through years marked by multiple crises all over the world,” Latina-Terracina-Sezze-Priverno Bishop Mariano Crociata wrote for the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union on Monday.

“Pope Francis was truly one of the great witnesses of our times, beloved and respected even by nonbelievers, and whose first concern was always directed toward the most fragile members of God’s creation,” Crociata wrote. “His voice spoke to hearts with simplicity and depth, through concrete gestures of love, listening, and closeness.”

“In this jubilee year — one of the Holy Father’s final great efforts — we are grateful to the pope for his constant attention to Europe, always urging us to make it better by strengthening its vocation for peace,” the bishop wrote.

The Eiffel Tower’s lights will remain unlit on Monday evening in memory of Pope Francis after the pontiff’s death earlier in the day. 

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo made the announcement on Monday afternoon, praising the pope as “a man of peace and compassion.”

The mayor also said that at some point a location in Paris will be designated with Francis’ name in honor of the Holy Father.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday asked God to “bless [Pope Francis] and all who loved him” after the Holy Father passed away on Monday morning. 

“Rest in Peace Pope Francis!” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.

Vice President JD Vance had earlier issued a statement mourning the pontiff’s passing. “My heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him,” the vice president said on a post on X.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Monday after the death of Pope Francis that the late pontiff “inspired millions, far beyond the Catholic Church, with his humility and love so pure for the less fortunate.”

Expressing condolences to “all who feel this profound loss,” von der Leyen wrote: “May they find solace in the idea that Pope Francis’ legacy will continue to guide us all toward a more just, peaceful, and compassionate world.”

Francis and von der Leyen met several times over the course of his pontificate. 

EWTN Chairman of the Board and CEO Michael Warsaw on Monday mourned the passing of Pope Francis, calling the pontiff’s death at 88 on Monday a “moment of personal grief for Catholics around the world.”

“Together with our entire EWTN family, I mourn his passing and join the Church in prayers for the repose of his soul,” Warsaw said in a statement.

Warsaw said he was “privileged to be able to meet Pope Francis a number of times throughout the years” and was “always struck by his kindness and good humor in our encounters.”

Leaders of the German government on Monday mourned Pope Francis’ death, hailing him as an “advocate for the weak” and a “sign of hope.”

“With the death of Pope Francis, the Catholic Church and the world lose an advocate for the weak, a reconciling and a warmhearted person,” outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz wrote on X.

“I greatly appreciated his clear view of the challenges we face,” he said.

President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, meanwhile, said in a letter to College of Cardinals dean Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re that both Catholic and Protestant Germans “mourn with me for an important pope.”

The world lost “a shining sign of hope, a credible advocate of humanity, and a convincing Christian,” Steinmeier wrote.

“His modesty, his spontaneity, and his humor, but above all his noticeably deep faith, have touched people all over the world — and given them support, strength, and guidance.”

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday that Pope Francis will “always be remembered as a beacon of compassion, humility, and spiritual courage.”

Modi said on X on Monday morning that he was “deeply pained” by the pope’s passing earlier in the day. 

“From a young age, he devoted himself towards realizing the ideals of Lord Christ. He diligently served the poor and downtrodden. For those who were suffering, he ignited a spirit of hope,” Modi wrote. 

The pope’s “affection for the people of India will always be cherished,” he said. 

Britain’s King Charles III on Monday said the Royal Family was “deeply saddened” to learn of Pope Francis’ passing early on Monday morning.

“His Holiness will be remembered for his compassion, his concern for the unity of the Church, and for his tireless commitment to the common causes of all people of faith, and to those of goodwill who work for the benefit of others,” Charles said.

“His belief that care for creation is an existential expression of faith in God resounded with so many across the world,” the king noted.

Charles noted that he and Queen Camilla were able to meet with Pope Francis earlier this month.

“We send our most heartfelt condolences and profound sympathy to the Church he served with such resolve,” the king said.

Pope Francis “knew the appeal and the impact of the papacy in all corners of the globe,” Auckland Bishop Steve Lowe said on Monday at the news of the Holy Father’s passing, hailing the pope for his global outreach over the course of his pontificate.

“While he didn’t set foot on our shores, we know the deep love that Pope Francis had for the Catholic faithful scattered across the world,” Lowe, the president of the New Zealand Catholic Bishops’ Conference, said in a Monday morning statement.

“The Holy Father reminded us of the importance of walking together as the entire people of God — laypeople, religious women and men, and clergy — following the path of Jesus,” he said.

Lowe urges Christians around the world to “join us in lifting up our departed brother in prayer.”

Multiple Italian soccer matches have been postponed after Pope Francis died on Monday. 

The National Professional League Serie A announced that seven different matches would be delayed “to a later date” after the death of the Holy Father. 

Several football clubs publicly mourned the pope’s passing on Monday morning. 

“His faith, humility, courage, and dedication touched the hearts of millions, making him a moral compass of our time and beyond,” the Roma club said on X.

The canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis, the first millennial set to become a saint in the Catholic Church, will be delayed following the death of Pope Francis, the Vatican said Monday.

Acutis’ canonization Mass was set to take place on Sunday, April 27, during the Church’s Jubilee of Teenagers.

The Holy See Press Office said on Monday the canonization had been suspended after the pope’s death earlier in the day. The press office did not give a new date for the Mass. 

French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday said he and his wife, Brigitte, “send our thoughts to all Catholics and to the grieving world” after the news of Pope Francis’ death.

“From Buenos Aires to Rome, Pope Francis wanted the Church to bring joy and hope to the poorest,” the president said. “May it unite people with each other and with nature. May this hope continually revive beyond him.”

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Monday reflected on Pope Francis’ pontificate, saying that she and the Holy Father had “a more active relationship” than was publicly seen, one that went “well beyond our respective institutional roles.”

“We’ve met many times, even just to exchange opinions. He was able to give comfort in very difficult moments, I have many memories of the pope,” she told the Italian government broadcaster RAI.

“We say goodbye to the Holy Father with a heart full of sadness,” the prime minister’s office said in an official statement. 

The White House on Monday responded to the news of Pope Francis’ death with a brief tweet on X on Monday morning. 

“Rest in peace, Pope Francis,” the White House said, including two pictures of President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance meeting the pontiff. 

U.S. Vice President JD Vance on Monday, meanwhile, mourned Pope Francis’ passing, reflecting briefly on his meeting with the pontiff just hours before his death. 

“My heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him,” the vice president said on a post on X.

“I was happy to see him yesterday, though he was obviously very ill,” Vance said, referring to his meeting with the pope the day before on Easter Sunday.

Vance said he would “always remember” the pope’s homily delivered on March 27, 2020, amid the start of the COVID-19 crisis. “It was really quite beautiful,” the vice president said.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) mourned the death of Pope Francis on Monday, hailing him for “his outreach to those on the margins of the Church and of society” during his historic pontificate.

USCCB President Archbishop Timothy Broglio said in a Monday morning statement that Francis “was marked by his experience as a Jesuit and a shepherd in Buenos Aires.”

“The passage from this life of the bishop of Rome calls us to pray for his eternal rest and to continue on our path to a deeper union with the Lord Jesus,” Broglio wrote.

“We remember his leadership in inspiring nations, organizations, and individuals to a renewed commitment to care for each other and our common home.”

The U.S. bishops “unite in prayer with Catholics here and around the world and all people of goodwill in gratitude for the life of our revered shepherd.”