By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — The conclave that began May 7 was expected to be the largest in history, with a wide geographical mix of cardinal-electors. There are 135 cardinals under the age of 80 and eligible to vote in a papal election. By contrast, 115 cardinals took part in the […]
Texts, secrecy guide historic election
By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — The conclave to elect a new pope, which began May 7, is governed by two texts: a rule book and a prayer book. The rule book is the apostolic constitution, “Universi Dominici Gregis” (“Shepherd of the Lord’s Whole Flock”), which was issued by St. John Paul […]
Photos: Scenes from Rome
Faithful mourned and cardinals gathered in the days following Pope Francis’ death From top: U.S. Cardinal Kevin J. Farrell, chamberlain of the Holy Roman Church, used holy water to bless the body of Pope Francis April 21 in the chapel of his residence, the Domus Sanctae Marthae, at the Vatican (CNS); young people attended Mass […]
Funeral of Pope Francis: Late pontiff believed that ‘church is a home for all’
Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis was “a pope among the people, with an open heart toward everyone,” said Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals, as he presided over the funeral of the pope, who died April 21 at the age of 88. And the people — an estimated […]
Hawaii mourns and honors Pope Francis
Hawaii Catholic Herald Word of Pope Francis’ death broke late in the evening on Easter Sunday, April 20, for the faithful in the Diocese of Honolulu. Many learned of the sad news on Easter Monday. By then diocesan officials were already hard at work making plans for Hawaii to mourn Pope Francis, including sending out […]
Embracing ‘peripheries,’ Pope Francis preached mercy, reconciliation
By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis, who died April 21 at age 88, gave new energy to millions of Catholics — and caused concern for some — as he transformed the image of the papacy into a pastoral ministry based on personal encounters and strong convictions about poverty, mission and […]
Dates for public viewing, funeral are set
By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — The funeral Mass of Pope Francis will be celebrated April 26 in St. Peter’s Square, the Vatican announced. Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals, will preside over the liturgy, which begins a nine-day period of official mourning and daily memorial Masses. The […]
Pope died of stroke, coma and heart failure, Vatican says
By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis died April 21 after suffering a stroke and heart failure, said the director of Vatican City State’s department of health services. The pope had also gone into a coma. “I certify that His Holiness Francis, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on […]
Pontiff continued to surprise, inspire in last weeks
By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News From the moment of his election, Pope Francis made clear from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica that his first mandate was to serve as bishop of Rome and be close with the people. “We take up this journey: the bishop and the people,” he said March 13, 2013, […]
Church has precise rules for navigating time between popes
By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — Centuries of experience dealing with the death, or occasional resignation, of a pope has left the Catholic Church with thorough instructions detailing who has responsibility for planning the funeral, preparing for the election of a new pope and taking care of essential business in the meantime. […]
