12 h. ago Football matches in Italy are POSTPONED due to Pope Francis' funeral

'At 7.35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his Church,' Cardinal Kevin Farrell said.

Politics

18 h. ago Experts talk realism of Conclave movie: ‘Gets a lot of the details right’

After the death of Pope Francis, experts weigh in on how much the real-life papal election will mirror the hit Oscar-winning movieI confess: my first thought this morning, when I heard the news that Pope Francis died at the age of 88, was of Conclave. As in both the lowercase, technical meaning – the sequestration of cardinals to elect a new pope with a two-thirds majority – and the capital-C film of the same name from last year, which allowed viewers to vicariously participate in a process long shrouded in secrecy and reverence. (And premiering during the US vote, to experience election thrills without grim disappointment.)The film, directed by Edward Berger, luxuriated in process both sacred and profane – the orderly processions and cafeteria run-ins, the ceremonial burning of paper votes and security screenings, the white smoke and the complimentary toiletries bags. The hallowed halls of the Vatican and the gossip that flits among them, especially as different factions compete to...

Politics

19 h. ago Chances of next Pope being English as officials start to prepare for life after Pope Francis

With the death of Pope Francis confirmed earlier this week, attention has turned to the future of the Catholic church as some wonder who the next pontiff could be

Politics

21 h. ago ‘A signal of simplicity’: Pope Francis’s funeral will be his final humble gesture

One of pontiff’s last acts was to simplify papal rites, stripping away elaborate rituals and scaling back processionLatest updates: tributes paid after Pope Francis dies aged 88When the late Pope Francis stepped on to the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica to give his first speech as leader of the Catholic church in March 2013, he cast away formality by dressing in simple white robes instead of the regal ermine-trimmed cape usually worn by newly elected pontiffs.The next day, Francis – a name chosen in honour of Francis of Assisi, the Italian saint who renounced a life of luxury to help the poor – returned to the Rome hotel in which he had stayed before the conclave to pick up his luggage and pay his bill. He substituted a plush apostolic apartment for a simple room within the Vatican walls and, unlike his predecessors, did not spend his summers in Castel Gandolfo, an opulent 12th-century fortress close to Rome. Continue reading...

Politics

24 h. ago Weeping mourners come together at vigils across the globe for Pope Francis in the wake of his death aged 88

Thousands of mourners have tonight gathered for a Rosary prayer vigil in front of St Peter's Basilica, at the Vatican, to commemorate the life of Pope Francis, who died at the age of 88. 

Events

31 h. ago Pope Francis died of stroke and heart failure, Vatican doctor says, as tributes pour in for pontiff – latest updates

Pope Francis, history’s first Latin American pontiff who was revered by millions of Catholics around the world, has died aged 88Pope Francis, groundbreaking Jesuit pontiff, diesPotential candidates to succeed Pope FrancisPope Francis: share your tributesThe Archbishop of York has paid tribute to Pope Francis as “holy man of God” who was “also very human”, PA News reports.In a statement on X, Stephen Cottrell said:Francis’s whole life and ministry was centred on Jesus who comes among us not to be served, but to serve.We saw that compellingly in Francis’s service of the poor his love of neighbour, especially the displaced, migrant; the asylum seeker, his deep compassion for the well-being of the earth and his desire to lead and build the church in new ways.I remember, in the brief times spent with him, how this holy man of God, was also very human.He was witty, lively, good to be with, and the warmth of his personality and interest in others shone out from him. Continue reading...

Events

31 h. ago Pope's frequent calls to a Catholic church made him a revered figure in war

In the last 18 months of his life, Pope Francis had a frequent ritual: He would call the lone Catholic church in the Gaza Strip to see how people huddled inside were coping with a devastating war

Events

33 h. ago Pope Francis's 'final 90 minutes': Pontiff 'was woken at 6am by alarm clock, fell ill at 7 and died at 7.35'

Pope Francis died on Easter Monday aged 88 after dedicating his 'entire life' to serving God and the Church, the Vatican announced today.

Events

36 h. ago Pope Francis 'cause of death' is revealed: How pontiff, 88, passed away peacefully after astonishing final act of Easter devotion saw him tour massive crowds for almost an hour

Pope Francis died on Easter Monday aged 88 after dedicating his 'entire life' to serving God and the Church, the Vatican announced today.

Events

38 h. ago Pope Francis's wildest moments from aliens vow, Joe Biden 'head butt' to lags' feet kiss

Joe Biden in a moment of skin to skin contact, promises about Martians and an unlikely previous career, the late Pope Francis had a number of moments in his life that might take you by surprise

Politics

39 h. ago Political and religious leaders around the world pay tribute to Pope Francis

Pontiff remembered for defence of the vulnerable, and commitment to peace, social justice and the environmentPope Francis, groundbreaking Jesuit pontiff, dies aged 88Latest updates: tributes paid after Pope Francis diesPolitical and religious leaders around the world have paid tribute to the life and legacy of Pope Francis, whose 12-year papacy came to an end with his death in Rome early on Monday morning.Many recalled Francis’s unfailing defence of the poorest and most marginalised, and his profound commitment to peace and the environment. Continue reading...

Politics

40 h. ago A timeline of the life of Pope Francis: From Buenos Aires to Rome

Key dates from his life

Politics

40 h. ago Pope Francis reminds world we are 'for life' in heartwarming last social media post

The Vatican confirmed Pope Francis died early this morning, and hours before the pontiff posted his last message on social media, which has since been liked thousands of times

Events

41 h. ago Pope Francis: tributes paid after head of Catholic church dies aged 88 – latest updates

Pope Francis, history’s first Latin American pontiff who was revered by millions of Catholics around the world, has died after a respiratory illnessFull story: Pope Francis, groundbreaking Jesuit pontiff, dies aged 88Yesterday Pope Francis appeared at the Vatican’s St Peter’s Square.The Pope, 88, came out in a wheelchair and waved from the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica saying to the crowds: “Dear brothers and sisters, Happy Easter.”Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7.35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of His Church. He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially in favor of the poorest and most marginalized. With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of t...

Events

41 h. ago Pope Francis dead: Incredible life of pontiff who captured world's imagination with his passion

Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church, has died at the age of 88, following a long asthmatic respiratory crisis, leaving behind a legacy of compassion and greater acceptance

Events

41 h. ago From Buenos Aires to Rome: Key dates in the life of Pope Francis

The first pope from the Americas was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Dec. 17, 1936

Politics

3 d. ago Thousands take to the streets across US to protest Trump and Musk policies: ‘They flaunt their criminality’

‘I've been protesting for 60 years There has never been anything like this in my life. Never,’ one San Francisco demonstrator says

Events

6 d. ago Pope Francis’ special message for doctors who saved his life

The 88-year-old pontiff spoke softly, but was breathing without oxygen

Politics

4 w. ago The five words from a nurse that may have saved Pope Francis’s life

He was so unwell doctors considered letting him die, but were persuaded to keep going

Politics