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Pope Francis

Pope Francis at the Jubilee of the Sick in St. Peter's Square on Sunday, April 6, 2025, wearing nasal cannulas for supplemental oxygen as he continues recovering from bilateral pneumonia. | Credit: Daniel Ibañez/ EWTN News

FULL TEXT: Here is Pope Francis’ Testament

Apr 21, 2025

The Vatican has released the testament of Pope Francis. The 88-year-old pontiff died on Easter Monday morning, April 21, at his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta, as confirmed by the Holy See Press Office. He led the Catholic Church for just over 12 years. 

Bouquets of flowers are left by visitors to St. Peter's Square on Easter Monday following the news of the death of Pope Francis, Monday, April 21, 2025. | Credit: Kristina Millare/CNA

Vatican Releases Pope Francis’ Cause of Death

Apr 21, 2025

The Holy See on Monday evening released the death certificate detailing the cause of death of Pope Francis, who died in his Vatican apartment at 7:35 a.m. in Rome on April 21, the day after Easter.

Pope Francis Dies at 88: Latest Updates

Apr 21, 2025

Pope Francis has died at 88. Follow here for the latest updates:

Pope Francis dies at 88: The Holy See has confirmed the passing of the first Latin American pontiff. | Credit: EWTN News

BREAKING: Pope Francis Dies at 88, Ending Historic Pontificate Marked by Mercy and Reform

Apr 21, 2025

Pope Francis passed away at 7:35 a.m. local time on Easter Monday, April 21, at his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta, as confirmed by the Holy See Press Office. The 88-year-old pontiff led the Catholic Church for a little more than 12 years. 

EWTN Chairman and CEO Michael P. Warsaw meets with Pope Francis during an audience with participants in the plenary meetings of the Dicastery for Communication, Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2019. | Credit: Vatican Media

EWTN CEO Michael Warsaw: Death of Pope Francis a "moment of personal grief" for Catholics

Apr 21, 2025

EWTN Chairman of the Board and CEO Michael Warsaw on Monday mourned the passing of Pope Francis, calling the pontiff’s death at 88 on Monday a “moment of personal grief for Catholics around the world.”

A reliquary containing relics of Blessed Carlo Acutis at the Church of Sant'Angela Merici in Rome, Oct 11, 2021. | Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA

Vatican Postpones Carlo Acutis Canonization Following Pope Francis’ Death

Apr 21, 2025

The Vatican announced Monday that the canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis has been postponed following the death of Pope Francis.

Pilgrims gather in St. Peter’s Square for Pope Francis’ Angelus reflection on Oct. 6, 2024. | Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Francis Has Died. What Happens Next?

Apr 21, 2025

The death of Pope Francis begins the so-called “sede vacante,” a period when the See of Peter lies vacant. The time of the sede vacante after the pope’s death brings with it a series of symbols, traditions, and protocols that have existed for centuries and express the papacy’s essence. 

Pope Francis wishes the crowd a “Happy Easter” from the central loggia of St. Peter's Basilica on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025 / Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA

Pope Francis Calls for Peace, Warns against "logic of fear" in Easter Message "urbi et orbi"

Apr 20, 2025

The pope’s traditional blessing, “urbi et orbi,” was read by Archbishop Diego Ravelli, but Pope Francis later toured St. Peter's Square in the popemobile.

Rows of daffodils decorate St. Peter's Square during Easter Sunday celebrations at the Vatican on April 20, 2025. / Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA

"Run" to Seek Christ in Everyday Life, Pope Francis Says in Easter Sunday Homily

Apr 20, 2025

“We must look for him without ceasing,” the pope’s prepared text emphasized. “Because if he has risen from the dead, then he is present everywhere”

Pope Francis speaks the Easter blessing "urbi et orbi" from the central loggia of St. Peter's Basilica, April 20, 2025. / Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA

Pope Francis’ Blessing "urbi et orbi" for Easter 2025: Full Text

Apr 20, 2025

“Urbi et orbi” means “To the city [of Rome] and to the world.” It is a special apostolic blessing given by the pope every year on Easter Sunday, Christmas, and other special occasions.

Catholics gather for Easter Vigil Mass at St. Peter's Basilica on Saturday, April 19, 2025 / Credit: Zosia Czubak

Pope Francis in Easter Vigil homily: Christ is the "turning point" in Human History

Apr 19, 2025

“It falls to us to proclaim this Easter hope, this ‘turning point’ where darkness becomes light,” the pope wrote in the homily, delivered by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re.

Thousands of faithful bearing candles surround the illuminated Colosseum in Rome during the traditional Via Crucis ceremony on Good Friday, April 18, 2025, where Cardinal Reina presided over the solemn procession. / Credit: Zofia Czubak / EWTN News

Rome’s Ancient Colosseum Hosts Way of the Cross with Pope Francis' Theme of Renewal

Apr 18, 2025

Unable to attend the Good Friday ceremony in person for the third consecutive year, the pope offered deep meditations for the Way of the Cross.

Pope Francis celebrates the Passion of the Lord on Good Friday in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, March 29, 2024. / Credit: Daniel Ibañez/CNA

What are the Good Friday Reproaches?

Apr 18, 2025

The Good Friday Reproaches are a series of antiphons, known also as “Popule Meus” (“My People”), coming from the opening lines of the Latin text of the recitation.

Pope Francis meets with inmates in a surprise visit to the Regina Coeli Prison on Holy Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Rome. / Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Francis Makes Surprise Visit to Regina Coeli Prison on Holy Thursday, Meets with Some 70 Inmates

Apr 17, 2025

According to the Vatican, the pope met with approximately 70 inmates who regularly participate in activities and catechesis organized by prison’s chaplaincy.

More than 1,800 priests gathered with cardinals and bishops at St. Peter’s Basilica for the Holy Thursday chrism Mass, April 17, 2025. / Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA

More than 1,800 Catholic Priests, Cardinals, Bishops Celebrate Holy Thursday Chrism Mass Inside St. Peter’s Basilica

Apr 17, 2025

On Holy Thursday, more than 1,880 priests, bishops, and cardinals renewed the promises made at their ordinations during the chrism Mass inside St. Peter’s Basilica.

Pope Francis meets with doctors and staff from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, thanking them for their work during his recent stay, on April 16, 2025, at the Vatican. / Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Francis Welcomes Gemelli Medical Teams to the Vatican, Thanks Them for Their Care

Apr 16, 2025

The 88-year-old Holy Father greeted approximately 70 men and women representing leadership and staff from the hospital.

Using Rembrandt’s oil painting “Return of the Prodigal Son” as a source of inspiration for his April 16, 2025, catechesis, the Holy Father said God’s love is like that of a father who goes out in search of his lost children. / Credit: Rembrandt, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Pope Francis: God’s Merciful Love Goes Out in Search of All Those Who Are Lost

Apr 16, 2025

Using Rembrandt’s painting “Return of the Prodigal Son” as inspiration, the Holy Father said God’s love is like that of a father who goes out in search of his lost children.

Pope Francis kisses the foot of one of the 12 women whose feet he washed at the Rebibbia Women’s Prison in Rome on Holy Thursday, March 28, 2024. / Credit: Vatican Media

As Pope Francis’ Health Improves, Vatican Says Cardinals to Celebrate Holy Week Liturgies

Apr 15, 2025

It has not yet been decided who will celebrate the Easter Vigil Mass on Saturday evening and the Easter Sunday Mass, Holy See spokesperson Matteo Bruni said Tuesday.

A smiling Pope Francis arrives in St. Peter's Square on April 13, 2025, in a surprise visit at the end of the outdoor Palm Sunday Mass. / Credit: Bénédicte Cedergren/CNA

In Another Surprise Public Appearance, Pope Francis Greets Pilgrims at Palm Sunday Holy Mass in St. Peter's Square

Apr 13, 2025

Marking another in a series of recent surprise public appearances, Pope Francis on Sunday briefly greeted thousands of pilgrims gathered in St. Peter's Square to celebrate Palm Sunday.

Cardinal Lazzaro You Heung-sik, prefect of the Dicastery for the Clergy, celebrated Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica for Korean Catholics before the statue of St. Andrew Kim Tae-gŏn was blessed by Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica, on Sept. 16, 2023. / Daniel Ibanez/CNA

Vatican Updates Rules for Mass Intentions, Permits Collective Offerings under Strict Conditions

Apr 13, 2025

Pope Francis approved the document — published so far only in Italian — on Palm Sunday, April 13. It will take effect on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025.