90 m. 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

95 m. ago 1 killed and 2 injured as driver loses control during a parade in an Italian town

A man has been killed and two people injured when a driver lost control of his car in Italy’s central town of Lanciano during celebrations for Italy’s 80th Liberation Day

Events

2 h. ago Moment crying nun who knew Pope Francis is allowed to break protocol at coffin of late Pontiff

This is the moment a crying nun who knew Pope Francis was allowed to break protocol at the coffin of the late Pontiff.

Politics

2 h. ago Pope Francis’ funeral details in full and how to watch on TV and streaming

Pope Francis will be laid to rest in a funeral mass at St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City this weekend - here's how to watch the live ceremony and where.

Culture

2 h. ago Pope Francis funeral guest list is revealed as world leaders fly into Rome and faithful queue for last chance to see his open coffin with 130,000 already bidding farewell

Hundreds of high-profile delegations are arriving in Rome today ahead of Pope Francis' funeral as thousands of Catholic faithful queue to pay their respects.

Politics

3 h. ago Pope Francis LIVE updates ahead of funeral as thousands of mourners pay respects

The funeral will be held in St Peter's Square in Vatican City on Saturday morning

Politics

3 h. ago Pope Francis’s work on peace must be remembered at funeral – Irish president

The people of Ireland have ‘appreciation’ for the life of the late pontiff, Michael D Higgins said.

Politics

3 h. ago Santa Maria Maggiore: why Pope Francis decided ‘this is my place’ to be buried

The pontiff shunned fanfare by picking a small niche in the basilica he visited more than 100 times during his papacyAs a priest, and then cardinal, Jorge Mario Bergoglio would always call into Santa Maria Maggiore (Saint Mary Major), one of the four papal basilicas in Rome, during his regular visits to the Italian capital.The fourth-century basilica with its distinctive bell tower is perched on one of Rome’s seven ancient hills in Esquilino, a neighbourhood that lies between the Colosseum and Termini train station which during the Roman empire served as a burial ground for slaves. Continue reading...

Politics

3 h. ago How to tell a conclave from a congregation: A brief guide to the language of selecting a new Pope

A change in popes is a complicated process, with centuries-old rituals

Politics

3 h. ago How accurate is Conclave? What the film gets right (and wrong) about selecting a new Pope

The film, which stars Ralph Fiennes, has enjoyed a surge in popularity since the death of Pope Francis

Culture

4 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

4 h. ago Conclave choice for the next pope ‘totally unpredictable’, says Vatican expert

The theologian added that the timing of 2024 film Conclave “couldn’t be more powerful”

Politics

4 h. ago Will Trump think his seat at the Pope's funeral is a snub? Protocol drama three years after he mocked Biden for having to sit at the rear for Queen's farewell

Donald Trump is expected to have a 'third-tier seat' at Pope Francis ' funeral mass despite being among the first to confirm that he would be attending the service.

Politics

4 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

4 h. ago Nun who broke protocol to stand by Pope Francis' coffin is long

81-year-old Sister Genevieve Jeanningros, a French-Argentine nun, attended the first day of Francis' lying-in state and was captured approaching a restricted area

Politics

4 h. ago Pope Francis funeral latest: Public queue to pay respects for last time as world leaders fly in for Vatican ceremony

Pope Francis’s funeral will be held on Saturday with world leaders in attendance

Politics

5 h. ago Who will be the next pope? Vatican expert explains Conclave predictions

Pope Francis' funeral takes place on Saturday, April 26

Science

5 h. ago What a deleted tweet tells us about tensions between Israel and the Vatican

Hours after Israel's Foreign Ministry posted a condolence for the passing for Pope Francis, it was deleted

Politics

6 h. ago Pope Francis: Mourners file through St Peter’s Basilica overnight as lying

Vast crowds are expected to gather ahead of Saturday’s funeral for Pope Francis in St Peter’s Square.

Politics

6 h. ago Pope Francis’s funeral to be masterpiece in managing ‘big egos’, says UK Cardinal as world leaders head to Rome

US President Donald Trump is among those due to attend the requiem mass for the late pontiff, joining dignitaries from across the globe

Politics