29 h. ago The surprise Scottish figure confirmed to attend Pope Francis's funeral in Rome

More of the guest list for the funeral of Pope Francis taking place in Rome on Saturday has been confirmed

Politics

54 h. ago Voices: Mischievous, kind, extraordinarily empathetic: The Pope I knew supported me even at my lowest hour

Writing exclusively for The Independent, former Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby recalls his meetings with Pope Francis – and reveals how he received a surprise call moments after he was forced to resign in November

Politics

4 d. ago Five surprising things that happen after the Pope's death including destroying ring

The Catholic Church is now without a leader after Pope Francis' death and these things will happen before a new one is elected.

Events

4 d. ago The Pope’s final Easter mass: A look back just hours before his death

Many people were surprised to see Pope Francis deliver mass on Easter Sunday after some well-documented health problems but the pontiff continued to fulfil his duties - even while experiencing ill-health

Events

4 d. ago Paul Gascoigne almost rejected phone call with Pope before brilliant opening line

England icon Paul Gascoigne almost left a surprise phone call from The Pope to ring out during a memorable Tottenham training session, before greeting His Holiness in traditional Geordie fashion

Politics

4 d. ago PHOTO GALLERY: Christians around the world celebrate Easter as the pope makes a surprise appearance

Faithful Christians around the world celebrated on Sunday the resurrection of Jesus Christ, from Vatican City where Pope Francis made a surprise appearance in his popemobile, to Ukraine, where a temporary Easter truce with Russia appeared in doubt in parts of the nation.

Culture

5 d. ago Pope makes surprise public appearance at Easter service after hospitalisation

Pope Francis made a surprise Easter appearance in St Peter's Basilica on Saturday (19 April) following his recent hospitalisation.

Politics

5 d. ago Pope makes rare public appearance at Easter service after hospitalisation

Pope Francis made a surprise Easter appearance in St Peter's Basilica on Saturday (19 April) following his recent hospitalisation.

Politics

5 d. ago Aaron Ramsey now favourite to become permanent Cardiff City manager as survival odds improve

Ramsey has been put in charge for the final three matches of the season as the Bluebirds look to survive in the Championship

Events

7 d. ago ‘A maverick’: pope defies doctors’ orders with another surprise public outing

Dressed down pontiff visits St Peter’s Basilica, and is expected to appear at Easter Sunday mass Lorena Araujo Piñeiro, a restorer, was putting the finishing touches on the restoration of the 17th-century tomb of Pope Urban VIII, a dark bronze and gold monument in St Peter’s Basilica when she noticed a man wearing a striped poncho-like top, black trousers and no shoes, being pushed in a wheelchair towards her.“It was around noon and the basilica was practically empty,” said Piñeiro. “I struggled to recognise who it was I thought he was a simple pilgrim. It was as if he’d just got out of bed.” Continue reading...

Politics

7 d. ago ‘Maverick’ pope defies doctors’ orders with another surprise public outing

Dressed-down pontiff visits St Peter’s Basilica, and is expected to appear at Easter Sunday massLorena Araujo Piñeiro was putting the finishing touches to the restoration of the 17th-century tomb of Pope Urban VIII, a dark bronze and gold monument in St Peter’s Basilica, when she noticed a man wearing a striped poncho-like top, black trousers and no shoes, being pushed in a wheelchair towards her.“It was around noon and the basilica was practically empty,” said Piñeiro, a restorer. “I struggled to recognise who it was I thought he was a simple pilgrim. It was as if he’d just got out of bed.” Continue reading...

Politics

7 d. ago ‘He continues to be a maverick’: Francis keeps pushing the limits of papacy

Pope’s surprise public outings after serious illness show he is saying ‘I’m here, and I’m in charge’, a Vatican expert saysLorena Araujo Piñeiro was putting the finishing touches to the restoration of the 17th-century tomb of Pope Urban VIII, a dark bronze and gold monument in St Peter’s Basilica, when she noticed a man wearing a striped poncho-like top, black trousers and no shoes, being pushed in a wheelchair towards her.“It was around noon and the basilica was practically empty,” said Piñeiro, a restorer. “I struggled to recognise who it was I thought he was a simple pilgrim. It was as if he’d just got out of bed.” Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Pope Francis makes surprise appearance and seems in improved health as he is wheeled round St Peter's Square for Palm Sunday Mass

The pope was holding a bouquet of flowers and wheeled in to the ceremony in Vatican City, in which more than 30,000 people had gathered, as he recovers from double pneumonia.

Politics

1 week ago Pope makes another surprise appearance at St. Peter's, greeting restorers of papal tombs

Two art restorers were putting the final touches on a months-long restoration of the tomb of Pope Urban VIII, who in 1626 consecrated St. Peter’s Basilica, when the convalescing Pope Francis appeared, unannounced, in a wheelchair — his third such surprise appearance in less than a week

Politics

2 w. ago King Charles and Queen Camilla pay recovering Pope Francis surprise visit

British royals wish pontiff well in recovery from pneumonia during their state visit to ItalyKing Charles and Queen Camilla paid a surprise private visit to a convalescing Pope Francis on Wednesday afternoon during their four-day state visit to Italy.The royal couple visited Francis, 88, at his home in Casa Santa Marta in Vatican City, where he is recovering from a serious bout of pneumonia in both lungs. An official audience had previously been removed from the royals’ schedule due to the pontiff’s ill health. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago King Charles and Camilla in surprise meeting with Pope as they issue health update

The trio met at The Vatican in the afternoon in a surprise meeting lasting around 20 minutes - with King Charles and Queen Camilla 'delighted The Pope was well enough to host them'

Science

2 w. ago Pope Francis greets crowds in surprise public appearance at the Vatican

It comes two weeks after the pontiff was released from hospital having been treated for a life-threatening bout of pneumonia

Politics

2 w. ago Pope Francis makes surprise appearance in St Peter’s Square for jubilee mass

Pontiff makes first public appearance at the Vatican since his release from hospital two weeks agoPope Francis has made a surprise appearance in St Peter’s Square during a special jubilee mass for the sick and health workers, marking his first public appearance at the Vatican since his discharge from hospital two weeks ago.The pontiff waved at the crowd that stood and applauded as he was appeared unannounced, assisted in a wheelchair to the front of the altar in the square. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Doctor cites the pope's 'surprising improvement' after surviving life

The pope's doctor says Francis has shown ‘’a truly surprising improvement’’ since returning to the Vatican to convalesce after surviving a life-threatening bout with double-pneumonia

Events