3 h. ago ‘You saw he was listening to you’: people Pope Francis met in their hour of need

The late pontiff embraced those traditionally on the margins of the church and society. Here, some of those he met describe his impactPope Francis announced his pastoral intentions from the very beginning of his papacy, saying he preferred a church that was “bruised, hurting and dirty” from being on the streets to one that was cautious and complacent. Although he never strayed from doctrine – to the annoyance of many optimistic liberals – his 12 years as pope were marked by a deliberate embrace of those historically on the margins of the church and society. He wanted a church, he said, for “todos, todos, todos” – which translates into: “Everyone, everyone, everyone.”Here, some of those who met him recall what his pontificate meant to them. Continue reading...

Politics

7 h. ago How Pope Francis became the People's Pope. The bereaved family he phoned 100 times. The lowly nuns he honoured. And the kiosk seller who served his favourite marshmallow ice cream...

Instead, the eyes of the world will be on St Peter's Basilica this morning as the pontiff who did so much to restore the Church's scandal-torn reputation is laid to rest.

Technology

7 h. ago As it happened: Coffin of Pope Francis sealed after 250,000 pay homage to head of Catholic Church

Pope Francis’s coffin was sealed after a quarter of million people visited the late spiritual leader, as heads of state fly in to attend Saturday’s ceremony in St Peter’s Square

Politics

10 h. ago Pope Francis funeral latest: Pontiff’s coffin sealed after 250,000 pay homage to head of Catholic Church

Pope Francis’s coffin was sealed after a quarter of million people visited the late spiritual leader, as heads of state fly in to attend Saturday’s ceremony in St Peter’s Square

Politics

18 h. ago Digested week: Magic Circle and life in the Vatican return to our psyche

Disappearances of a school and handbag of head of Homeland Security past the Secret Service remain unexplainedI did what a lot of people did on hearing news of the death of Pope Francis on Monday: I watched Conclave. The Oscar nominated movie, adapted from the Robert Harris novel, unpacks the process of electing a new pope and between Sunday and Monday, it enjoyed a 283% surge in streaming figures. I’d like to say it deepened my understanding of life in the Vatican, but the truth is it just made me wish we could have Ralph Fiennes for pope, while reminding me – I’m not alone in this – that we’ve seen quite enough of Stanley Tucci for the time being. Continue reading...

Politics

20 h. ago Bishop tells of tears at Vatican for Pope Francis ahead of funeral

Bishop Paul Tighe also said there is ‘a little bit of national pride’ that an Irish-born man is the chief organiser while the post is vacant.

Economics

20 h. ago Vatican readies for Pope Francis’s funeral as world leaders head to Rome

Tens of thousands of mourners have queued for hours to pay respects to pontiff before coffin is sealed on FridayPope Francis obituaryEurope live – latest updatesAlmost 130,000 people from all over the world have viewed Pope Francis’s body as the Vatican makes the final preparations for his funeral on Saturday, an event that will be attended by 50 heads of state and 10 monarchs.St Peter’s Basilica closed at 2.30am and reopened three hours later to accommodate the last of the huge crowds of mourners who had patiently waited to pay their respects to Francis, who died at the age of 88 on Monday after a stroke. The coffin will be sealed at 8pm in a ceremony attended by senior cardinals. Continue reading...

Events

41 h. ago Italy prepares ring of steel for Pope Francis’s funeral in Rome with Nato jets, snipers and 8,000 police

Italian authorities are preparing one of the most complex and secretive security operations in Vatican history as 200,000 people descend to pay respects to Pope Francis ahead of his funeral.

Events

43 h. ago Pope Francis: basilica stays open overnight so thousands can pay final respects

More than 50,000 people, queuing for hours, viewed body of late pontiff over 24-hour period, says VaticanSt Peter’s Basilica has reopened for thousands of people to pay their final respects to Pope Francis for a second day, following a brief pause after keeping its doors open all night.The 16th-century basilica, where Francis’s simple wooden coffin is placed on the main altar, was scheduled to close at midnight but remained open until 5.30am to allow in those who still wished to enter. Continue reading...

Politics

43 h. ago Pope Francis mourners furious as people snap 'disrespectful' selfies with his dead body

Some 20,000 worshippers have queued up to pay their respects to the late pontiff - but many sparked widespread fury after they were spotted snapping selfies with Francis' body

Events

46 h. ago JD Vance addresses being one of last people to meet Pope Francis before his death

JD Vance reacted to being one of the last people to meet Pope Francis before he died aged 88 on Easter Monday.

Events

47 h. ago Pope Francis death: Mourners tell of 'momentous' occasion as St Peter's Basilica stays open overnight for thousands to pay respect

St Peter’s Basilica remained open throughout the night to allow more people to pay their respects to Pope Francis

Events

50 h. ago Pope Francis sought to make LGBTQ+ people more welcome, but church doctrine didn't change much

The papacy of Pope Francis ended with the same core doctrine for LGBTQ+ people that he had inherited

Politics

55 h. ago Mourners queuing to see Pope Francis tell of ‘momentous’ occasion

Huge crowds are expected on Thursday and Friday for the lying-in-state.

Politics

61 h. ago 'I saw Pope Francis' body and couldn't believe people were taking pictures on their phones'

Pope Francis' lying-in-state has been taken over by people holding up their smartphones in crowds as they try to capture the historic moment at St Peter's Basilica

Politics

61 h. ago Donald Trump branded 'thoughtless' as way of honouring Pope Francis leaves people stunned

President Donald Trump spoke to the crowd who had gathered for the annual White House Easter Egg Roll on Monday, following the heartbreaking news of Pope Francis's death

Politics

66 h. ago Barriers at the basilica: the logistical challenges of Pope Francis’s funeral

Defence and security mechanisms are deployed across Rome as authorities expect crowds of up to 200,000 peoplePope Francis’s funeral – latest updatesDespite Pope Francis’s desire for a simple and comparatively low-key send-off, those tasked with organising and delivering the funeral of the 266th bishop of Rome still face a vast array of logistical, technological and security challenges.With as many as 170 foreign delegations – including those of Donald Trump, Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Prince William – expected to descend on the Vatican for Saturday’s funeral, along with crowds of up to 200,000 people, those overseeing the event are in for a hyper-vigilant few days. Continue reading...

Politics

66 h. ago People are only just discovering the very unexpected job Pope Francis had before becoming head of Catholic Church

People are shocked after learning the bizarre job Pope Francis had before becoming the head of Catholic Church. The Pope, who grew up in Buenos Aires, once worked as a bouncer.

Politics

3 d. ago British tourist tells of sombre atmosphere in Rome following death of Pope

Antoni Bohdanowicz, from Berkshire, travelled to Rome with his wife and her family to see the Easter service in St Peter’s Square.

Events

3 d. ago When is the Pope’s funeral as Francis breaks Vatican tradition with burial

The 'People's Pope' Francis will be the first in over a century to be buried outside the Vatican. But when is his funeral?

Politics