death

The Latest

Cardinal Pietro Parolin at an Aid to the Church in Need press conference in Rome, Italy on Sept. 28, 2017.

Cardinal Parolin: Palliative care means accompanying, not abandoning

Feb 28, 2018

Palliative care is a reminder that love for those who are dying means accompaniment, not abandonment, Cardinal Pietro Parolin said... Read more

Pope Francis celebrates Mass in St. Peter's Basilica on September 2, 2015.

Remember you're going to die, Pope Francis counsels

Feb 1, 2018

By Hannah Brockhaus

Spending time reflecting on your own death can be a freeing experience, and one that can even help us to... Read more

Priest's hospital room mix-up allows dying woman to receive sacraments

Jan 6, 2018

Shortly before midnight on New Year’s Eve, Fr. Gregorio Hidalgo went to a hospital to give Communion to a patient.... Read more

Pope Francis at the general audience in St. Peter's Square Oct. 11, 2017.

If you died today, would you be ready? Pope Francis asks

Nov 12, 2017

By Hannah Brockhaus

On Sunday Pope Francis encouraged people not to wait to reflect on their lives, but to ask themselves: If this... Read more

A statue of Santa Muerte.

Have you heard of Saint Death? Don’t pray to her.

Nov 4, 2017

By Mary Farrow

They call her Santa Muerte (‘Holy Death’ or ‘Saint Death’), but she’s no saint.  Read more

Pope Francis celebrates Mass for deceased bishops and cardinals in St. Peter's Basilica Nov. 3, 2017.

Choose everlasting life, not death, Pope Francis says

Nov 3, 2017

By Hannah Brockhaus

On Friday Pope Francis said that in contemplating death we are reminded of our ultimate purpose – and how the... Read more

Memento mori - How religious orders remember death

Oct 30, 2017

By Mary Farrow

There’s an old Latin phrase that’s suddenly new again - at least in the realm of Catholic Twitter™. The resurgence... Read more

Little Sisters of the Poor. Courtesy of the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty.

These nuns provide 'death with dignity' - but it's not assisted suicide

Oct 11, 2016

By Matt Hadro

As states around the country consider legalizing physician-assisted suicide, “death with dignity” looks markedly different for patients under the care... Read more

Mysterious deaths of mentally ill draw concern from South Africa bishops

Sep 22, 2016

The unexplained deaths of three dozen mentally ill patients in a South African province show the need for action to... Read more

Father Francisco Rencoret.

Young priest whom Pope encouraged in battle against cancer dies

Aug 16, 2016

A man of God. Someone who endured illness with faith and fortitude until the end. This is how those who... Read more

Sister Cecilia Maria in her final days.

These photos of a dying nun went viral – and here's why

Jun 27, 2016

By Ursula Murua

Pictures of a young Argentinian nun – smiling and serene though dying from a devastating battle with cancer – have... Read more

Chicago Catholic cemeteries give a proper burial to those who died on the fringes

Nov 24, 2015

By Kevin J. Jones

Chicago’s Catholic cemeteries have helped bury the bodies of about 200 unidentified and unclaimed persons in recent years. One of... Read more

Pope Francis celebrates Mass for deceased cardinals and bishops in St. Peter's Basilica Nov. 3, 2015.

Pope: if you don't serve others, then what are you living for?

Nov 3, 2015

By Elise Harris

Though letting go of yourself and living for others can make you seem weak in the eyes of the world,... Read more

Cardinal Laszlo Paskai.

Pope Francis mourns death of Hungarian Cardinal Laszlo Paskai

Aug 18, 2015

By Elise Harris

In a letter of condolence Pope Francis has offered his comfort and prayer to the Church of Hungary following the... Read more

Pope Francis at the Wednesday General Audience in St. Peter's Square on May 20, 2015.

Don't blame God when someone dies – trust in the resurrection, Pope says

Jun 17, 2015

By Ann Schneible

Instead of blaming God when a parent loses a child – or vice versa – families should remember that because... Read more

Bishop Cirilo B. Flores. Courtesy of the Diocese of San Diego.

San Diego diocese mourns death of Bishop Cirilo Flores

Sep 8, 2014

Bishop Cirilo Flores of San Diego passed away the afternoon of Saturday, Sept. 6, at the city's Nazareth House, accompanied... Read more

Pope Francis administers last rites to Cardinal Simon Lourdusamy during his funeral Mass on June 5, 2014.

Late cardinal of India remembered for his serenity in suffering

Jun 5, 2014

By Elise Harris

During the funeral Mass for Cardinal Simon Lourdusamy, who passed away Monday, fellow cardinals gathered to commemorate his life of... Read more

(L-R) CEO Kevin Lundy, John Fitzpatrick, Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila, Barb Fitzpatrick, Deacon Alan Rastrelli M.D., and Mark Skender.

Denver hospice dedicated to upholding Church teaching

Feb 20, 2014

By Carl Bunderson

A palliative care organization in the Denver archdiocese is committed to providing end-of-life care to patients that fully accords with... Read more

Fr. Scott Carroll of the Diocese of Toledo.

Ohio priest dies of cancer two days after ordination

May 10, 2013

Father Scott R. Carroll, ordained a priest of the Diocese of Toledo, Ohio, on May 8, died of cancer two... Read more

The Most Rev. Arthur J. O'Neill, Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Rockford. Photo courtesy of the Diocese of Rockford by Ken Ring.

Retired Illinois bishop dies after 70 years of priesthood

Apr 30, 2013

Bishop emeritus Arthur J. O'Neill of Rockford, Ill., died at his residence on April 27. The 95-year-old had recently celebrated... Read more