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Pope Francis

Pope remembered as a reformer
Francis was the ultimate Vatican outsider and charted a more progressive course in his approach to marginalized groups.
reactions to the death of pope francis around the world
Getty Images; AFP; AP

World mourns Pope Francis

Francis is expected to be buried at the ancient Basilica of St. Mary Major, which lies outside the Vatican walls. A conclave will soon begin to elect the new leader of the Catholic Church.
Members of the church attend the funeral mass for late Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI in St. Peter's Square
Conclave to find new pope will begin within weeks
Conclave to find new pope will begin within weeks

The major contenders to be the next pope

After a pope dies, an ancient and secretive process begins to elect his successor.

What happens after a pope dies?

Pope Francis pauses during an interview with The Associated Press at The Vatican, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023.

The life of Pope Francis in pictures

A sign with a silhouette of Pope Francis wearing a rainbow

LGBTQ Catholics praise Francis for creating 'seismic shift' toward acceptance

Pope Francis during an audience with children from middle schools across Italy on June 2, 2017, at the Vatican.

Francis' death leaves Catholic Church at a crossroads after he charted a progressive path

People stand on a street with a portrait in the background of the Pope Francis.

Francis, first Latin American pontiff, holds a special place for Hispanic Catholics

TOP VIDEO

MORE ON POPE FRANCIS

Live Updates

1h ago

Live Updates

Pope Francis’ funeral live updates: Hundreds of thousands of mourners to watch Vatican procession

After three days on view at St. Peter's Basilica, the pope will be taken to St. Mary Major today, where he will be entombed. The ceremonies will begin at 9 a.m. local time (4 a.m. ET).
Image: The Body Of Pope Francis Is Transferred To The Basilica St Peter To Lie In State
Image: The Body Of Pope Francis Is Transferred To The Basilica St Peter To Lie In State

World

10h ago

World

Who will be the next pope? Here are some of the contenders

After a pope dies, an ancient and secretive process begins to elect his successor.
Members of the church attend the funeral mass for late Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI in St. Peter's Square
Members of the church attend the funeral mass for late Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI in St. Peter's Square

Data Graphics

11h ago

Data Graphics

Cardinals, conclaves and popes, in five charts

Papal elections are speeding up as popes get older.
This bar chart shows how many days conclaves have taken since 1900. Values range from two to five days; the two conclaves held so far this century both lasted two days.
This bar chart shows how many days conclaves have taken since 1900. Values range from two to five days; the two conclaves held so far this century both lasted two days.

Latino

11h ago

Latino

Pope Francis adored fútbol, and the soccer world returns the love

The world's greatest soccer stars have posted tributes to the Argentine pontiff, and the biggest homage is that his home team's new stadium will be named after him.
Pope Francis receives an Argentina soccer jersey during his general audience in Saint Peter's square at the Vatican on June 25, 2014.
Pope Francis receives an Argentina soccer jersey during his general audience in Saint Peter's square at the Vatican on June 25, 2014.

Pope Francis

11h ago

Pope Francis

Pope Francis' public viewing brought 250,000 people to Vatican City. World leaders, and the funeral, are next.

The Vatican is welcoming 164 delegations for the funeral, including 12 reigning sovereigns and 54 heads of state, such as President Donald Trump.
Faithful leave after paying their respects to Pope Francis at St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Friday, April 25, 2025.
Faithful leave after paying their respects to Pope Francis at St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Friday, April 25, 2025.

World

15h ago

World

Vatican keeps St. Peter's open all night as hundreds of thousands come to view Pope Francis

Losing Francis was like “losing your grandfather, your very wise grandfather,” one mourner told NBC News.
Image: Catholics Pay Their Respects To Pope Francis As He Lies In State
Image: Catholics Pay Their Respects To Pope Francis As He Lies In State

Asia

22h ago

Asia

Hong Kong allows outspoken Cardinal Joseph Zen to attend Pope Francis' funeral

Zen, a 93-year-old retired bishop, had to apply at a court to get back his passport, which was confiscated in 2022 after his arrest under a Beijing-imposed national security law.
Image: As Pope Faces Crisis in Rome, Cardinal Zen Warns of Split in China
Image: As Pope Faces Crisis in Rome, Cardinal Zen Warns of Split in China

Culture & Trends

1d ago

Culture & Trends

How does a papal conclave work? People are turning to this Oscar-winning film to find out

Edward Berger’s “Conclave” had a 283% spike in streaming viewership in the 24 hours after Pope Francis died, according to data from the data analytics company Luminate.
Television monitors show scenes from the movie "Conclave."
Television monitors show scenes from the movie "Conclave."

The Vatican

2d ago

The Vatican

In photos: A solemn procession through the Vatican

Thousands flooded through the walls of Vatican City as a procession of cardinals and pallbearers took the body of the late pontiff into St. Peter's Basilica.
La Salma Di Papa Francesco Trasferita A San Pietro Per L'Ostensione
La Salma Di Papa Francesco Trasferita A San Pietro Per L'Ostensione

Live Updates

2d ago

Live Updates

Pope Francis lies in state in St. Peter's Basilica for 3 days ahead of funeral

A procession made up of patriarchs, cardinals, archbishops, bishops, canons and other priests walked the short distance from Santa Marta Square to St. Peter’s.
The Pope died of a stroke, the Vatican announced hours after the death on April 21, 2025, of the 88-year-old reformer who inspired devotion but riled traditionalists during 12 years leading the Catholic Church.
The Pope died of a stroke, the Vatican announced hours after the death on April 21, 2025, of the 88-year-old reformer who inspired devotion but riled traditionalists during 12 years leading the Catholic Church.

Live Updates

3d ago

Live Updates

Pope Francis’ death: Viewing tomorrow ahead of Vatican funeral Saturday

The Vatican says Francis’ body will be transferred to St. Peter’s Basilica tomorrow morning to allow worshippers to pay their respects ahead of his funeral.
Pope Francis died on April 21, 2025 aged 88, a day after making a much hoped-for appearance at Saint Peter's Square on Easter Sunday, the Vatican said in a statement.
Pope Francis died on April 21, 2025 aged 88, a day after making a much hoped-for appearance at Saint Peter's Square on Easter Sunday, the Vatican said in a statement.
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