28 m. ago From 'conclave' to 'white smoke,' a glossary of terms used in a papal transition

A change in popes is a complicated process, with centuries-old rituals involving the transition in leadership for both the spiritual head of the global Catholic Church and the Vatican’s head of state

Events

34 m. ago Pope Francis' conservative critics had a unique way to oppose him: a retired pontiff

Every pope has his critics

Culture

41 m. ago Pope Francis latest: Cardinals gather to discuss funeral plans after Vatican confirms the cause of death

A statement released by the Holy See said his death was confirmed using an echocardiogram

Economics

43 m. 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

76 m. ago Australians start voting in general elections as pope's death overshadows campaigning

Australians have begun voting at general elections as campaigning is overshadowed by the death of Pope Francis

Politics

2 h. ago How Pope Francis changed the Catholic church, and what happens next – podcast

Just hours after wishing the world a happy Easter, the 267th head of the Roman Catholic church passed away. What was his legacy and who will take his place? Catherine Pepinster reportsPope Francis was working until the end. On Easter Sunday, the 88-year-old head of the Catholic church offered an Easter greeting to the crowds in St Peter’s Square who had gathered for mass. By the next morning, after months battling pneumonia and bronchitis, he had passed away.From the beginning, the first Latin American pope wanted his papacy to be different. Catherine Pepinster, the former editor of the Tablet, says one of his first notable actions was to go to a prison, rather than a church, to wash people’s feet in the traditional Maundy Thursday rite. It was typical of a pontiff who refused many of the luxuries of his predecessors – from giving up an apartment in the papal palace to only wearing simple leather shoes. Continue reading...

Politics

2 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

3 h. ago Recap: The senior Catholic candidates who 'could undo Pope Francis's progressive legacy' if elected

MAILONLINE BLOG: Follow live updates and reaction as the Vatican announces the death of Pope Francis at the age of 88.

Politics

3 h. ago Marjorie Taylor Greene slammed for 'evil' tweet after Pope Francis' death

Republican congresswoman and conspiracy spouter Marjorie Taylor Greene is not known for her classy comments, but her latest X post has caused outrage across the globe

Events

4 h. ago Leonardo DiCaprio pays emotional tribute to Pope Francis after his death at 88

Pope Francis died Monday at age 88 following a stroke, which led to a coma and heart failure, and celebrities, including Leonardo DiCaprio and Lionel Messi, have paid tribute to the man

Events

5 h. ago Leonardo DiCaprio breaks silence on Pope Francis' death at 88 as he reflects on fateful 2016 meeting

Leonardo DiCaprio has paid emotional tribute to Pope Francis after the Vatican announced his death on Easter Monday aged 88.

Events

5 h. ago Cardinals to meet for first time since Pope’s death to confirm funeral details

Pope Francis, 88, died after a cerebral stroke that led to a coma and irreversible heart failure.

Events

5 h. ago Inside Conclave: The cardinals seen as contenders to be the next pope after Francis's death

Former US president Joe Biden has said Pope Francis will be remembered as “one of the most consequential leaders of our time”.

Events

6 h. ago Pope Francis’s will in full: Pontiff’s final wishes and place of burial

Alongside the will, the Vatican announced the pope died following a stroke that led to irreversible heart failure

Politics

6 h. ago Pope Francis’ approach did not win him friends within the church bureaucracy. But he lit the path for us all | Francis Sullivan

While his legacy in confronting the sex abuse scandal is still incomplete, Francis demonstrated that change is possible and mercy can be realPope Francis, groundbreaking Jesuit pontiff, diesPotential candidates to succeed Pope FrancisEarly in his papacy Pope Francis said the name for God is mercy. He understood the church had become too doctrinaire, divisive and judgmental for too many people. The drift of Catholics from conventional practice in the west said as much. He knew the church had alienated the LGBTQ community, discriminated against women and resisted full participation for divorced and remarried Catholics. He acknowledged that previous popes had not confronted the clerical sex abuse scandal. He wanted to do better and the Catholic world was with him, the institution was not.The Catholic church by its nature is a conservative institution. It uses inertia as a management tool. Change is a slow and drawn-out affair. Francis regularly railed against clericalism because of its...

Politics

7 h. ago MTG sparks backlash after X post appearing to celebrate Pope’s death

‘Evil is being defeated by the hand of God,’ declared the Protestant convert congresswoman following announcement of the Pope’s death, without specifying what she meant

Events

7 h. ago MTG sparks backlash after ugly X post appearing to celebrate Pope’s death

‘Evil is being defeated by the hand of God,’ declared the Protestant convert congresswoman following announcement of the Pope’s death, without specifying what she meant

Events

7 h. ago Nostradamus's eerie prediction of Pope Francis's death and future of Catholic Church

Pope Francis died of a stroke today and astrologers are claiming that Nostradamus made a prophecy nearly 500 years ago about his death - and the future of the Catholic Church

Events

7 h. ago Top Trump MAGA allies troll JD Vance over visit before death of Pope Francis

Vice President JD Vance is getting trolled online after being the last major figure to meet with Pope Francis before his passing on Monday.

Politics

7 h. ago Family of Pope Francis tells world to 'love more' in tribute after he died of heart failure

Pope Francis's grandniece has paid tribute to the late Pontiff and his 'profoundly human perspective' as the Vatican released his official cause of death at the age of 88

Events