Sede Vacante

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Left photo: Pivato and Pope Francis in March 2024. | Right photo: Francis and Pivato in December 2013, at the start of his pontificate.

How Francis will be remembered: ‘He left us a great love that we are obliged to replicate’

May 3, 2025

By Diego López Marina

Following Pope Francis’ passing, one of his closest Argentine friends remembered him with gratitude, emphasizing that his legacy is impossible... Read more

Cardinals participate in the fifth Novendiales Mass for Pope Francis on April 30, 2025, in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican.

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

Apr 30, 2025

By CNA Staff

Follow here for live updates of the latest news regarding the upcoming papal conclave. Read more

Cardinal William Goh speaks during an interview with EWTN News on April 19, 2024, in Singapore.

Asian cardinal asks for prayers to discern what kind of pope the Church needs

Apr 30, 2025

By Nicolás de Cárdenas

“It is urgent and important that you all pray for us so that we can discern what kind of pope... Read more

Cardinal Camillo Ruini answers questions at the Vatican press office on June 17, 2014.

Cardinal who chaired Medjugorje commission offers 4 criteria for the conclave

Apr 30, 2025

By Walter Sánchez Silva

In an article titled “Prayer for the Church of the Near Future,” Cardinal Camillo Ruini proposes four aspects of the... Read more

The archbishop of New York, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, speaks to EWTN News on Friday, April 25, 2025, in Rome.

Cardinal Dolan: Pope Francis was ‘a man of the heart’ 

Apr 25, 2025

By Daniel Payne

The late Pope Francis was “a man of the heart” who preached tenderness and mercy to the global Church, New... 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

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

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

Thousands depart St. Peter's Square after praying the Holy Rosary for Pope Francis, Monday, April 21, 2025

CNA explains: ‘Sede vacante’ and ‘interregnum’ — what do they mean? 

Apr 23, 2025

By Jonah McKeown

A highly regulated process has now begun that will see Pope Francis’ earthly body laid to rest and a conclave... Read more

A panoramic view of St. Peter’s Square filled with faithful attending Easter Sunday Mass at the Vatican on April 20, 2025.

CNA explains: What happens during the Vatican’s 9 days of mourning for the pope? 

Apr 22, 2025

By Courtney Mares

Rooted in ancient Christian and Roman customs, the Novendiales is a period of nine consecutive days dedicated to mourning the... Read more

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From sede vacante to conclave: Key terms to know at the start of a papal transition

Apr 22, 2025

By Matthew Bunson

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

Pope Francis meets with the United States bishops at St. Matthew's Cathedral in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 23, 2015.

Remembering Pope Francis’ 2015 visit to the United States

Apr 22, 2025

By Jonah McKeown

Pope Francis, who died on April 21 at the age of 88, visited the United States just once, nearly 10... Read more

Cardinal Kevin Farrell on May 2, 2017.

Who is Cardinal Farrell, the camerlengo and a key figure in the papal transition?

Apr 21, 2025

By Hannah Brockhaus

Cardinal Kevin Farrell is a key figure in the papal succession because of his appointment in 2019 as the camerlengo... Read more

Pilgrims gather in St. Peter’s Square for Pope Francis’ Angelus reflection on Oct. 6, 2024.

Pope Francis has died. What happens next? 

Apr 21, 2025

By Andrea Gagliarducci

With the death of Pope Francis, the Catholic Church has entered the sede vacante period. What happens next?  Read more

Pope Francis dies at 88: The Holy See has confirmed the passing of the first Latin American pontiff.

BREAKING: Pope Francis dies at 88, ending historic pontificate marked by mercy and reform

Apr 21, 2025

By CNA Staff

Pope Francis, who led the Catholic Church for just over 12 years as its first Latin American pontiff, has died... Read more

Cardinal Gianfranco Ghirlanda, SJ, takes possession of his titular church in Rome, the Church of the Gesù, on Dec. 8, 2022.

Canon lawyer denies involvement in papal election reform, calling reports ‘a pure lie’

Nov 6, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

Reports said Cardinal Gianfranco Ghirlanda had been tasked by Pope Francis with drafting revisions to conclaves. Read more

Pope Francis delivered an address before praying the Regina Caeli on Divine Mercy Sunday April 16, 2023.

Analysis: Here’s how Pope Francis could influence the choice of his successor

Apr 18, 2023

By Andrea Gagliarducci

By the end of 2023, nearly 70% of the cardinals eligible to become the next pope will have been appointed... Read more

Pope Francis in April 2022

A question of ‘delicate balance’: How might Pope Francis reform the rules of the conclave?

Aug 25, 2022

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Who will manage the Vatican when a pope resigns, is unable to govern, or passes away? And according to which... Read more

Vatican post office sells over 150k Vacant See sets

Mar 7, 2013

The Vatican is now selling special stamps and envelopes that are made only when there is no Pope.  Read more

The Papal Apartments are sealed after Pope Benedict XVI left the Vatican Feb 28, 2013.

Papal apartments, basilica sealed for sede vacante

Mar 1, 2013

Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone sealed off the papal apartments, marking the beginning of the sede vacante, the period when there is... Read more