Vatican

Pope Francis's Death : The World Salutes a Paladin of Peace

Pope Francis died Monday morning in the Vatican at the age of 88, following a stroke, as announced by the Vatican. His death sparked a wave of emotion and reactions across the globe. Political leaders, religious figures, and faithful from around the world paid tribute to the Argentine pontiff, who left a mark on the Catholic Church through his ...

15 Potential Successors to Pope Francis

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 15 cardinals who are among the potential favorites to become the next pope, known as the "papabili", divided by region. This list ...

Pope Francis Dies at 88: A Legacy of Peace, Reform, and Compassion

Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, passed away on Monday at the age of 88. The first pope from the Americas and the first Jesuit to lead the Roman Catholic Church, Francis leaves behind a profound legacy of humility, reform, and global outreach. Humble Beginnings in Buenos Aires The son of ...

Pope Briefly Meets US Vice President JD Vance

Pope Francis had a brief private meeting with US Vice President JD Vance on Sunday, the Vatican said, on the last day of the Republican's visit to Rome. "The meeting, which lasted a few minutes, gave the opportunity to exchange greetings on Easter Sunday," wrote the Vatican in a brief statement, saying the encounter took place at the pope's ...

Pope Wishes 'Happy Easter' to Faithful in Appearance at St Peter's Square

Pope Francis appeared in front of thousands of Catholic faithful at St. Peter's Square on Sunday for Easter, despite the 88-year-old pontiff's frail health that has kept him from most Holy Week events. "Happy Easter," said the Argentine pontiff in a weak voice from his wheelchair at the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, to the delight of tens of ...

Vance and Francis: Divergent Values but Shared Ideas

Pope Francis is the spiritual leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics, advocating for a more open Church and compassion toward migrants. U.S. Vice President JD Vance, a devout Catholic convert, is committed to shaping America into a bastion of conservative values. After Vance met on Saturday with the Vatican’s Secretary of State, ...

When Art Meets Faith: Antoni Gaudí on the Path to Sainthood

On April 13, 2025, by official decree, Pope Francis recognized the heroic virtues of Antoni Gaudí, bestowing upon the famous Catalan architect the title of “Venerable.” This recognition marks a major milestone on the path to beatification, which could ultimately lead to the canonization of the man often referred to as “God’s architect.” ...

Pope Recognizes 'God's Architect' Gaudi as 'Venerable'

The Catholic Church has put Antoni Gaudi, the designer of Barcelona's Sagrada Familia basilica nicknamed "God's architect", on the path to sainthood, the Vatican said Monday. Pope Francis recognized the Catalan architect's "heroic virtues" and authorized a decree declaring him "venerable", the Vatican said in a statement. This acknowledgement ...

Pope Francis Calls for Peace in Lebanon, 50 Years After the Start of the Civil War

Pope Francis turned his thoughts to Lebanon during Palm Sunday celebrations. Speaking briefly from St. Peter’s Square as he recovers from pneumonia, the Pope issued a powerful appeal for peace across several regions of the world, with a special mention of Lebanon. “Let us also remember Lebanon, where the civil war broke out 50 years ago, so ...

Recovering Pope Delights Crowd in Vatican Square

Pope Francis on Palm Sunday delighted worshippers with an impromptu tour of St. Peter's Square, against the advice of his doctors to avoid crowds while recovering from pneumonia. For the second Sunday in a row after the longest hospital stay of his papacy, the 88-year-old pontiff left his Vatican quarters, handing out sweets to children and ...

Recovering Pope Makes Surprise Appearance with Crowd at Vatican Square

Pope Francis, who is recovering after a serious case of pneumonia, made a surprise public appearance Sunday as he mingled with crowds at the Vatican just two weeks after leaving the hospital. "A good Sunday to all. Thank you very much", the 88-year-old Pope said as he was wheeled through Saint Peter's Square in his wheelchair after ...

Convalescing Pope Francis's Condition Improving: Vatican

A chest X-ray has confirmed a "slight improvement" in Pope Francis's lungs as he recovers from five weeks in hospital with life-threatening pneumonia, the Vatican said on Tuesday. The 88-year-old Catholic leader left Rome's Gemelli hospital on March 23 after a stay in which doctors said he had almost died twice, returning to the Vatican for a ...