Pope Francis Latest News

These are the latest news about Pope Francis, the Vatican, and the Catholic Church, provided by the Vatican staff of Catholic News Agency, a service of EWTN News.

The Latest

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

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

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

U.S. Vice-President JD Vance meets Pope Francis on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025, at the Vatican

JD Vance on Pope Francis: ‘He was a great Christian pastor’

Apr 23, 2025

By Kate Quiñones

“A lot of people, especially in the American press, want to make the Holy Father — his entire legacy and... Read more

Stephanie Gabaud receives a blessing from Pope Francis at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City on Sept. 24, 2015.

Americans who met Pope Francis in the United States share their reflections

Apr 23, 2025

By Joe Bukuras, Tessa Gervasini

Among those remembering Pope Francis in a special way this week are three Americans who shared moments with him during... Read more

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 for Pope Francis on April 23, 2025, at the Vatican.

Catholics bid final farewell as Pope Francis lies in state at St. Peter’s Basilica

Apr 23, 2025

By Courtney Mares

Long lines of mourners, many waiting more than four hours under the hot Roman sun, wound around St. Peter’s Square... Read more

Youngsters surrounding Pope Francis in the popemobile.

Handing out ice cream, visiting the poor: Charity of Pope Francis on his patron saint’s day

Apr 23, 2025

By Almudena Martínez-Bordiú

April 23, the patron saint’s day of Pope Francis, is a holiday at the Vatican and the pope usually celebrated... Read more

Pope Francis's body lies in state at St. Peter's Basilica on Wednesday, April 23, 2025

PHOTOS: Pope Francis is brought to St. Peter’s Basilica

Apr 23, 2025

By CNA Staff

The rite began in the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta and ended with the Holy Father’s body before the... Read more

Pope Francis blesses the faithful at the Jubilee of the Sick in St. Peter's Square, Vatican City, on April 6, 2025, as his personal nurse, Massimo Strappetti, assists him in the wheelchair.

Massimiliano Strappetti: The last man Pope Francis saw and thanked before his death

Apr 23, 2025

By Kristina Millare

Before being appointed Pope Francis’ personal nurse in August 2022, Massimiliano Strappetti was the nursing coordinator for the Vatican’s health... Read more

The Salus Populi Romani icon is displayed in the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome.

Who are the many popes not buried in the Vatican?

Apr 23, 2025

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Various factors are at play when it comes to the decision of a burial place for a pope. Pope Francis... Read more

Cardinals, bishops, and Vatican officials walk alongside Pope Francis’ coffin in St. Peter’s Square on April 23, 2025, during the solemn transfer as Swiss Guards stand in formal formation.

Pope Francis moved to St. Peter’s Basilica for final goodbye

Apr 23, 2025

By Hannah Brockhaus

The rite began in the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta, where Francis lived for the 12 years of his... 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

Pope Francis greets the crowd from the popemobile on Easter Sunday morning, April 20, 2025.

The last time the world saw Pope Francis

Apr 22, 2025

By Almudena Martínez-Bordiú

Pope Francis greeted the faithful around the world for the last time from St. Peter’s Basilica on the most important... Read more

The Minor Basilica and Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Manila, Philippines.

Filipino cardinals preside over requiem Masses for Pope Francis before heading to Rome

Apr 22, 2025

By Kristina Millare

Speaking to Catholic faithful gathered inside the Manila Cathedral, Cardinal José Advíncula said Filipinos should be “filled with gratitude” for... Read more

Pope Francis prays at the “Garden of Angels” section of the Laurentino Cemetery in Rome on All Souls’ Day, Nov. 2, 2024.

‘Death is not the end of everything’: Vatican releases pope’s reflections on aging, dying

Apr 22, 2025

By Madalaine Elhabbal

“We must not be afraid of old age, we must not fear embracing becoming old,” wrote Francis in the preface... Read more