Cardinals over the age of 80 cannot participate in a conclave. Out of the 134 cardinals under 80 taking part in the upcoming 2025 conclave, 15 are 79 years old — some making it under the cutoff just weeks before their 80th birthday.

Imagine that your cellphone rings and the display says the call is from a “private number.” You expect it to be a telemarketer, but instead when you answer, you hear a man with an Argentine accent say: “This is Francis. I received your letter.”

Ahead of the May 7 conclave, evangelization challenges, interfaith relations, and confronting the ongoing abuse crisis topped the agenda when more than 180 cardinals gathered Monday for their fifth general congregation since Pope Francis’ death.

The five youngest cardinals lead sees in Australia, Mongolia, Portugal, and Canada as well as a dicastery of the Roman Curia. Two of them are Eastern-rite Catholics. Three were made cardinals in the last consistory before the conclave. 

The recent death of Pope Francis on April 21 has reignited interest in the centuries-old “Prophecy of the Popes,” also known as the St. Malachy prophecy, which some say indicates that Pope Francis was the last pope the Church will ever have.

The Vatican announced Monday that the conclave to elect Pope Francis' successor will begin on May 7, as the Church enters the final preparatory phase for choosing its 267th pope.

The six-kilometer journey that transported Pope Francis’ body from St. Peter’s Basilica to St. Mary Major featured profound symbolism and emotion.

In a video message published after his death, but recorded in January, Pope Francis encouraged young people to work on listening well to others.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin presided over the Divine Mercy Sunday Mass in St. Peter’s Square, urging the Church to follow Pope Francis’ example as “instruments of mercy for humanity.”

Carlo went on pilgrimage to see John Paul II, offered up his suffering from cancer for Benedict XVI, and was later beatified during the pontificate of Pope Francis. Now, it will be up to the next pope to canonize the Church’s first millennial saint.

On April 27, 2025, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, primary celebrant of the second day of mourning, one day after Pope Francis’ funeral, offered the following homily as published by the Vatican on the Second Sunday of Easter or Divine Mercy Sunday.

Presidents Trump and Zelenskyy spoke briefly one-on-one at St. Peter’s Basilica during Pope Francis' funeral about possible peace efforts in the Russia-Ukraine war.

Pope Francis' wooden coffin arrived at St. Mary Major around 1 p.m. Saturday, ending the solemn procession from St. Peter’s and concluding the late pontiff’s funeral.

On April 30, 2000, Pope John Paul II canonized Maria Faustina Kowalska and declared the second Sunday of Easter as Divine Mercy Sunday. This year, we celebrate the feast on April 27.

Pope Francis was buried Saturday in the Basilica of St. Mary Major after his coffin crossed the center of Rome, marking the pontiff’s final goodbye to the Eternal City.

From the start of his 2013 papacy, Pope Francis worked to build bridges with the Islamic world, following Jesus’ example of reaching out to those different from himself.

Pope Francis’ pontificate spanned 12 years and numerous major global events — including international gatherings, the COVID-19 crisis, and the Synod on Synodality — that saw him delivering prayers often under extraordinary and historical conditions.

More than 200,000 people filled St. Peter’s Square for the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday as the world said goodbye to the first Latin American pope who led the Catholic Church for the past 12 years. 

Like his predecessors, Pope Francis’ pontificate was marked not only by historic events and memorable themes but also by his personality, character, and style.

Throughout his papacy, Francis increased women's leadership in the Vatican, with female employees rising from about 850 in 2013 to nearly 1,200 by 2023, according to Vatican News.

More than 1,800 Italian Civil Protection volunteers are currently deployed around St. Peter’s Basilica and throughout central Rome to coordinate and facilitate the flow of pilgrims paying their final respects to Pope Francis.

Pope Francis’ coffin was closed and sealed in St. Peter’s Basilica in a private ceremony on Friday evening after more than 250,000 people paid their final respects to the late pope over three days of public visitation.

The following leaders from around the world are among the dignitaries who have announced they are to attend Pope Francis’ funeral on Saturday, April 26, at the Vatican.

Among the more than 250,000 people who made their way to the Vatican this week were the nocturnal pilgrims wanting to catch a final glimpse of Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Basilica before his Saturday funeral.