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The Salus Populi Romani icon is displayed in the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome. / Credit: Daniel Ibañez/CNA

Who Are the Many Popes Not Buried in the Vatican?

Apr 23, 2025

Various factors are at play when it comes to the decision of a burial place for a pope. Pope Francis has chosen the Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore.

Cardinals, bishops, and priests carrying palm branches gather for the Palm Sunday Mass in St. Peter’s Square, April 13, 2025. / Credit: Bénédicte Cedergren/EWTN News

General Congregation of Cardinals Meeting Begins, Swear to Secrecy, Suspend beatifications, Choose Funeral Mass Date

Apr 23, 2025

At the first general congregation of cardinals in Rome on Tuesday, the estimated 60 cardinals in attendance chose the date of Pope Francis’ funeral.

Pope Francis greets the crowd from the popemobile on Easter Sunday morning, April 20, 2025. / Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/EWTN News

The Last Time the World Saw Pope Francis

Apr 23, 2025

Pope Francis greeted the faithful around the world for the last time from St. Peter’s Basilica on the most important day for Christians: Easter.

A panoramic view of St. Peter’s Square filled with faithful attending Easter Sunday Mass at the Vatican on April 20, 2025. / Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA

What Happens during the Nine Days of Mourning for the Pope? CNA Explains

Apr 23, 2025

Rooted in ancient Christian and Roman customs, the Novendiales is a period of nine consecutive days dedicated to mourning the death of a pope.

Pope Francis reiterated his call for peace for Gaza and the Holy Land in his April 20, 2025, urbi et orbi message. / Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/EWTN News

Pope Francis Made Final Call to Pastor of Gaza Parish on Holy Saturday, Two Days before Passing On

Apr 23, 2025

Father Gabriel Romanelli, the pastor of Holy Family Parish in Gaza, summed up Pope Francis’ last call on Saturday night, April 19,  moments before the Easter Vigil.

Pope Francis kisses a baby during his weekly general audience on May 10, 2023. / Credit: Daniel Ibañez/CNA

Pope Francis’ Grandfatherly Advice

Apr 22, 2025

During his papacy, Pope Francis shared advice and bits of practical wisdom on how to get along with one another, including within the family.

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From Sede Vacante to Conclave: Key Terms to Know at Start of a Papal Transition

Apr 22, 2025

Here are some of the key words and phrases that will be used throughout the interregnum, especially the conclave to elect the new pope.

Pope Francis is seen at his general audience at the Vatican, Wednesday, April 16, 2014. / Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA

Pope Francis in His Own Words: 12 Key Quotes that Defined His 12-year Pontificate

Apr 22, 2025

His words often focused on the dignity of the poor, migrants, refugees, and the elderly as well as the importance of marriage, family life, and care for the environment.

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 on April 22, 2025. The mortal remains of Pope Francis will be transferred to St. Peter's Basilica on Wednesday, April 23. / Vatican Media

Pope Francis to Be Buried at St. Mary Major Basilica Following Saturday Funeral

Apr 22, 2025

In accordance with his personal wishes, Francis will not be buried in the Vatican grottoes but instead at the Basilica of St. Mary Major.

Cardinal Kevin Farrell on May 2, 2017. / Credit: Lucia Ballester/CNA

Who's Cardinal Farrell, Camerlengo of Apostolic Chamber Leading Vatican Affairs, Papal Transition?

Apr 21, 2025

Cardinal Kevin Farrell is a key figure in the papal succession because of his appointment in 2019 as the camerlengo of the apostolic chamber.

Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra preside over the sealing of the papal apartment at the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace, Monday, April 21, 2025. / Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA

Pope Francis’ Death: Vatican Holds “rite of ascertainment of death, deposition in the coffin”

Apr 21, 2025

Cardinal Kevin Farrell presided over the rite in the chapel of Pope Francis’ Vatican residence, the Casa Santa Marta, just a little over 12 hours after the pontiff’s death.

Religious sisters gather to pray the rosary for Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican, Monday, April 21, 2025. / Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA

Thousands Gather for Holy Rosary in St. Peter’s Square after Pope Francis' Death: Photos

Apr 21, 2025

Thousands of Catholics gathered together in prayer for the Holy Father, who passed away at age 88 due to complications from a medical crisis earlier in the spring.

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.

Father Roberto Pasolini, OFM Cap, gives the homily during a two-hour Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion in St. Peter’s Basilica on Good Friday, April 18, 2025. / Credit: Daniel Ibañez/CNA

On Good Friday, Vatican Preacher Says Authentic Intelligence is Found in Self-giving Love

Apr 18, 2025

Father Roberto Pasolini, OFM Cap, in his homily emphasized the importance of self-gift over self-reliance and on surrender of one’s life and suffering to God.

Sts. Peter and Paul, the patron saints of Rome, guard the entrance to Ponte Sant’Angelo, welcoming pilgrims as they begin their journey toward St. Peter’s Basilica. / Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA

Angels of Rome’s Ponte Sant’Angelo Guide Pilgrims through Christ’s Passion: Photos

Apr 18, 2025

The recently restored Ponte Sant’Angelo in Rome features 10 angels holding symbols of Christ’s passion, creating a profound spiritual journey for jubilee pilgrims.