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Vatican News
Pope Francis: A compassionate voice for Africa lives on
Pope Francis had a big heart for Africa and Africans. He leaves behind a legacy of commitment to Africa’s quest for peace, social justice, and integral development. To crown it all, the Pope’s solidarity with African refugees and migrants, the poor, and the marginalised will live on.
Pope's death due to stroke and irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse
The Director of the Directorate of Health and Hygiene of the Vatican City State, Dr. Andrea Arcangeli, releases the official medical report on the death of Pope Francis, which was confirmed through electrocardiographic thanatography.
Rome mourns Pope Francis in Solemn Mass of Suffrage
A solemn Mass for Pope Francis on the day of his death is celebrated at the Basilica of St John Lateran in Rome. In his homily, Cardinal Baldo Reina upholds the late Pope’s legacy of mercy, peace, and service, and encourages the faithful to carry forward his example with hope in the Resurrection.
Pope Francis' spiritual testament
Pope Francis' spiritual testament, dated 29 June 2022, has been published, giving indications for his burial in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major.
Messages of condolence flood in from all corners of the globe
The messages coming in from world leaders and religious authorities following the death of Pope Francis demonstrate the universality of the Pope of the peripheries, who strove to be close to all as he headed the See of Peter.
Twelve years of new paths, processes, and open doors
Following the announcement his passing away on Easter Monday, we offer an overview of the highlights of Pope Francis' pontificate, his journeys, reforms, writings, work for peace and human fraternity, and outreach to the poor and migrants.
Cardinal Farrell to preside at rite of ascertainment of Pope Francis’ death
Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, will preside over the rite of the ascertainment of death of Pope Francis and placement of his body in the coffin on Monday evening.
The Pope of Mercy
Our Editorial Director, Andrea Tornielli, reflects on the late Pope Francis' insistence on mercy, which became an underlying theme of his 12-year-long pontificate.
Pope Francis led the way to building a synodal Church for everyone
In the wake of Pope Francis’ death, we explore his desire to engage all Catholics so that every person feels welcomed and loved by the Church, and how the Synods he convoked guided the Church’s focus on various topics, culminating in the Synod on Synodality.
Pope Francis’ friendship with other religions promoted paths of peace
With Pope Francis’ passing, we recall his unforgettable efforts that contributed to friendship and dialogue between Christians and people of all religions.
Pope Francis’ plea for a more fraternal world
In his landmark encyclical ‘Fratelli tutti,” Pope Francis emphasized the idea of human fraternity, drawing on the legacy of St. Francis of Assisi to inspire political action rooted in solidarity and highlighting the critical role of religions in building peace.
Pope Francis’ desire to foster unity among Christian Churches
Throughout his twelve years as head of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis’ push for a greater sense of unity between all Christian Churches was evident through his words and deeds.
Pope Francis the pilgrim: Taking the Lord’s closeness to every corner of earth
In the 12 years of his pontificate, Pope Francis visited 68 countries giving life to a tireless mission to take the Word of God and the comfort of His love to the whole human family.
Laudato si’: Pope Francis on the environment
A look at Laudato si’, Pope Francis’ radical encyclical on care for the environment, which has been praised as “the most important piece of intellectual criticism in our time”.
The Pope of the People: Francis, a shepherd with the smell of the sheep
Among his many duties and decisions, the late Pope Francis clearly enjoyed the company of other people, drawing energy from them and returning their affection with a word of encouragement or sometimes with just a caring smile.
Pope Francis’ pontificate of peace, for peace
We remember Pope Francis as a Pope of peace through his tireless appeals and constant visits to show his closeness to those suffering the consequences of one of the most unjust human-made disasters: war.
Pope Francis has died on Easter Monday aged 88
Pope Francis died on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88 at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta.
Instability, hunger and violence plagues the Middle East
The Middle East continues to grapple with widespread instability and violence, with poverty further compounding the challenges in several regions.
Nigeria: Emulate the Servant Leadership demonstrated by the Easter story
Easter is here; thank God for that! Alleluia resounds, but how many Nigerians can sing it? How many people in the world can celebrate Easter? How many can celebrate Easter in Ukraine, Haiti, Gaza, Yemen, Sudan, or the Democratic Republic of Congo? What about in Plateau, Borno, and Zamfara States, along with other places in Nigeria and in our homes and churches?
Pope Francis meets with US Vice President JD Vance at Santa Marta
The brief meeting of Pope Francis with US Vice President JD Vance offered the opportunity to exchange Easter greetings. Yesterday Cardinal Parolin met with the US leader at the Secretariat of State.