Vatican News
Pope Spent Pontificate Going to Peripheries; at Funeral, They Came to Him
When Pope Francis was elected as the first Latin American pontiff, he said his brother cardinals went out of their way to pick someone from the "ends of the earth."
Poor and Powerful Pray for Eternal Repose of a Pope ‘With an Open Heart’
Pope Francis was "a pope among the people, with an open heart toward everyone," said Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals, as he presided over the funeral of the pope, who died April 21 at the age of 88.
Pope Francis said Mary Picked his Burial Place, Cardinal Says
"The Virgin Mary told me, 'Prepare the tomb.'" That is what Pope Francis said Mary told him when he was discerning whether to be buried in the historic Marian church where his body will be laid to rest April 26.
Poor to Welcome Pope’s Casket to St. Mary Major Where Simple Tomb is Ready
Given the late Pope Francis' care and concern for the poor, a representative group of them has been formally invited to welcome his casket to Rome's Basilica of St. Mary Major for burial.
Cardinals Choose Prelates to Offer Reflections on Church, Future Pope
A Benedictine abbot and a Capuchin cardinal will offer spiritual meditations on the needs of the Catholic Church to the cardinals preparing to elect a new pope, according to the Vatican press office.
Prayer, Pilgrims Accompany Pope’s Body to Basilica
To the chanting of Christ's promise, "I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live," the mortal remains of Pope Francis were carried into St. Peter's Basilica by 14 pallbearers.
Pope Died of Stroke, Heart Failure, Coma, Vatican Says
Pope Francis died April 21 after suffering a stroke and heart failure, said the director of Vatican City State's department of health services. The pope had also gone into a coma.
Pope Was a Pastor First, Which is Lasting Gift to Church, Cardinal Says
Pope Francis was a pastor first, "so consistently, so spontaneously and with such deep conviction," that it will remain a gift to the Catholic Church, said Cardinal Michael Czerny.
Pope Thanks Nurse for Taking Him to St. Peter’s Square One Last Time
Pope Francis' final moments were peaceful, and he managed to give one last farewell to his nurse, Massimiliano Strappetti, before slipping into a coma early April 21, Vatican News reported.
Pope’s Funeral Set for April 26, Public Viewing April 23-25
The funeral Mass of Pope Francis will be celebrated April 26 in St. Peter's Square, the Vatican announced.