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

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

Pope Francis kisses a baby during his weekly general audience on May 10, 2023.

Pope Francis’ grandfatherly advice

Apr 22, 2025

By Joseph Pronechen

During his papacy, Pope Francis shared advice and bits of practical wisdom on how to get along with one another,... Read more

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

Cardinal Goh: Pope Francis was dedicated to leading Church’s ‘new evangelization’

Apr 22, 2025

By Kristina Millare

Cardinal William Goh said the Archdiocese of Singapore swiftly organized the Tuesday afternoon memorial Mass held in the Cathedral of... 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 speaks the Easter blessing “urbi et orbi” from the central loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica, April 20, 2025.

The final hours of Pope Francis: ‘Thank you for bringing me back to the Square’ 

Apr 22, 2025

By Courtney Mares

In the wake of his death, the Vatican released further details on Tuesday about the Pope Francis’ final hours. Read more

Pope Francis is seen at his general audience at the Vatican, Wednesday, April 16, 2014.

Pope Francis in his own words: 12 key quotes that defined his 12-year pontificate

Apr 22, 2025

By Kristina Millare

His words often focused on the dignity of the poor, migrants, refugees, and the elderly as well as the importance... Read more

The earth, photographed by the crew of Apollo 8 in December 1968.

Earth Day: 10 quotes from Pope Francis on creation, care for the environment

Apr 22, 2025

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

In remembrance of Pope Francis’ message urging the faithful to protect the environment and to celebrate Earth Day, here are... 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

The body of Pope Francis lies in state at the Vatican’s Domus Sanctae Marthae chapel, surrounded by Swiss Guards, cardinals, and Vatican officials paying their respects before his transfer to St. Peter’s Basilica for public veneration, Monday, April 21, 2025.

Vatican releases first photos of Pope Francis after his death

Apr 22, 2025

By Hannah Brockhaus

The photos show the pope dressed in red vestments and lying in a simple wooden coffin inside the chapel of... Read more