Red-hatted cardinals were expected to pick a date Monday for the conclave to elect a new leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics, following the death of Pope Francis. Dozens of so-called “Princes of the Church” from across the world have been gathering at the Vatican since the 88-year-old Argentine pontiff died on April 21. … Read more
With Pope Francis laid to rest, all eyes turn now to the conclave, the secretive meeting of cardinals set to convene within days to elect a new head of the Catholic Church. Alongside world leaders and reigning monarchs, an estimated 400,000 people turned out on Saturday for the Argentine pontiff’s funeral at the Vatican and … Read more
Pope Francis, champion of the poor and the Church’s first Latin American leader, will be honoured Saturday with a funeral attended by world leaders and tens of thousands of Catholic faithful. The Argentine pontiff, who died on Monday aged 88, sought to create a more open-minded Church during his 12-year papacy, and many emotional tributes … Read more
In 2010, Ghana’s Cardinal Peter Turkson said he was not ready to become pope — and that the Catholic Church might not be either. “I wouldn’t want to be that first black pope. I think he’ll have a rough time,” he said. Now, after the death of Pope Francis, the west African clergyman’s name is … Read more
Thousands of people gathered Thursday for a glimpse of Pope Francis’s body on the second day of public tributes, after St Peter’s Basilica stayed open almost all night to accomodate the crowds. With waiting times reaching four hours to enter the basilica, some 48,600 people had already filtered past the Catholic leader’s red-lined wooden coffin … Read more
In a small church tucked into a side street in northern China’s Hebei province, a group of around 10 people gathered for their weekly meeting, the day after Pope Francis died aged 88. The Vatican on Monday announced the death of the Argentine pontiff, who inspired devotion but riled traditionalists during his 12-year tenure. In … Read more
Pope Francis’s coffin began its transfer to St Peter’s Basilica Wednesday for three days of lying in state, with thousands of well-wishers gathering to pay their respects to the leader of the world’s Catholics before he is laid to rest. Crowds gathered in St Peter’s Square from early morning to catch a glimpse of the … Read more
Fourteen months after the deadliest storm in Philippine history, Pope Francis stood on a rain-swept stage to deliver a message of hope to the battered town of Tacloban. It was desperately needed, mayor Alfred Romualdez told AFP on Tuesday, a day after the pontiff died in Rome. Already in his late 70s, the pope had … Read more
While the world mourns the passing of Pope Francis on April 21, the Catholic Church is preparing to choose a new leader. Cardinals are traveling to Vatican City from all over the world to take part in the papal conclave, an ancient ritual/election that ends with the selection of a new Pope. You might be … Read more
The April 21 death of Pope Francis triggered a period of mourning in the Catholic Church, but also kick-started the race for his successor. Whether diplomats, theologians, mediators or Vatican insiders, here are the cardinals who are among the potential favourites to become the next pope, divided by region. This list however is by no … Read more