As the world absorbs the news of the death of Pope Francis ― and before the ever-busy oddsmakers and deep insiders begin the game of papabile speculation that accompanies every papal death and …
more
By Elizabeth Scalia, OSV News
|
4/21/25
|
From the moment of his election, Pope Francis made clear from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica that his first mandate was to serve as bishop of Rome and be close with the people.
"We take up …
more
By Junno Arocho Esteves, OSV News
|
4/21/25
|
Calling Pope Francis “a modern-day prophet,” Kerry Alys Robinson said the late pope “read the signs of the times and awakened us to meaningful change in our behavior ― within the …
more
By Maria Wiering, OSV News
|
4/21/25
|
Pope Francis brought “a breath of the Spirit to the church, truly leading it to go out” into the world with the Gospel, said Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça, prefect of …
more
By Justin McLellan, Catholic News Service, Vatican City
|
4/21/25
|
Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Buenos Aires made history with his election on March 13, 2013, becoming the first Argentine and first Latin American to become pope.
As Pope Francis died in the …
more
By David Agren, OSV News
|
4/21/25
|
With his death April 21, Pope Francis marked yet another first in the history of the Catholic Church: he became the first pope to open the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica without living to …
more
By Justin McLellan, Catholic News Service, Vatican City
|
4/21/25
|
President Donald Trump, officials in his administration and other U.S. political leaders issued statements expressing condolences for Pope Francis after the pontiff’s death April 21 at age 88.
…
more
By Kate Scanlon, OSV News, Washington, D.C.
|
4/21/25
|
When he was archbishop of Buenos Aires, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio had said he always tried to avoid traveling “because I’m a homebody.”
As Pope Francis, he was anything …
more
By Carol Glatz, Catholic News Service, Vatican City
|
4/21/25
|
With the death of Pope Francis April 21, the practical aspects of overseeing the day-to-day needs of the Church and organizing a papal election fall to U.S. Cardinal Kevin J. Farrell.
Standing …
more
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News Service, Vatican City
|
4/21/25
|
Not long after Pope Francis’ election in 2013, media pundits and faithful wondered and speculated what countries he would visit as pope.
Naturally, many assumed the newly elected pontiff …
more
By Junno Arocho Esteves, OSV News, Rome
|
4/21/25
|
Pope Francis’ funeral rites, like those for any pope or any Christian, are meant to “reinforce the hope and witness to the faith” that those who have been baptized in Christ …
more
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News Service, Vatican City
|
4/21/25
|
Centuries of experience dealing with the death, or occasional resignation, of a pope has left the Catholic Church with thorough instructions detailing who has responsibility for planning the funeral, …
more
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News Service, Vatican City
|
4/21/25
|
From the first moments of his papacy, Pope Francis was heard using one particular word in his pontifical speeches. For him, it was a reminder that God is not the one who punishes, but the one who …
more
4/21/25
|
Pope Francis, who died April 21 at the age of at age 88, gave new energy to millions of Catholics ― and caused concern for some ― as he transformed the image of the papacy into a pastoral …
more
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News Service, Vatican City
|
4/21/25
|
Over the course of his pontificate, Pope Francis held up two recurring images: the good shepherd who looks for the lost sheep and lays down his life to save them; and the good Samaritan, who did not …
more
By Carol Glatz, Catholic News Service, Vatican City
|
4/21/25
|
From the moment he took the helm of the Catholic Church’s sprawling hierarchy, Pope Francis positioned himself as a pastor close to the people he served, and he called out the behavior of …
more
By Justin McLellan, Catholic News Service, Vatican City
|
4/21/25
|
Elected in 2013 with a clear mandate to reform the Roman Curia, Pope Francis completed the project with his apostolic constitution, “Preach the Gospel,” nine years after taking office. He also …
more
By Carol Glatz, Catholic News Service, Vatican City
|
4/21/25
|
The pontificate of Pope Francis did not result in breakthrough theological agreements with other Christians, but huge strides were made in personal relations and practical cooperation.
Pope …
more
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News Service, Vatican City
|
4/21/25
|
Tapping into the spirit and spirituality of his namesake, St. Francis of Assisi, Pope Francis made care for creation and for all that lives on the earth a pastoral priority.
The importance of …
more
By Carol Glatz, Catholic News Service, Vatican City
|
4/21/25
|
When Pope Francis chose the small Italian island of Lampedusa as the destination for his first trip outside Rome after his election, he signaled to the world that migration would be a defining issue …
more
By Justin McLellan, Catholic News Service, Vatican City
|
4/21/25
|