30 m. ago Russia’s contradictory messaging on Pope Francis’s death — and the strategy behind it

Exclusive: Analysis seen by The Independent found inconsistent messaging across Russian state-run outlets in the days following the death of Pope Francis, which analysts say could have been part of a geopolitical strategy

Events

46 h. ago Prince Edward to represent the King at inauguration of Pope Leo XIV

Leo was elected by 133 cardinals from 70 countries in just over 24 hours, giving the church a pope just three weeks after the death of Francis

Politics

3 d. ago Secret trove of 'UFO evidence' hidden in Vatican archives revealed

In the wake of Pope Francis' death, calls for the Vatican to open up its secret archives are growing. In her new book, Pasulka reveals eerie encounters documented in the records.

Politics

3 d. ago A new Pope is chosen: White smoke finally rises from the Sistine Chapel as cardinals elect the next pontiff in third conclave vote

Hailing from 70 different countries, the 133-strong group of cardinals gathered in the Vatican for the centuries old-ritual to elect the 267th pontiff following the death of Pope Francis last month.

Events

4 d. ago Conclave live: Results of the first vote to elect new leader of Catholic Church FINALLY revealed after voting entered its fifth hour

MAILONLINE BLOG: Follow live coverage as Catholic cardinals elect the next Pope in the highly secretive conclave to lead the Vatican following the death of Pope Francis last month.

Politics

4 d. ago 'No pope!' Cardinals send black smoke signal from Sistine Chapel to show first day of conclave has ended without a new pontiff

Hailing from 70 different countries, the 133-strong group of cardinals gathered in the Vatican for the centuries old-ritual to elect the 267th pontiff following the death of Pope Francis last month.

Events

4 d. ago Conclave live: Results of the first vote to elect new leader of Catholic Church REVEALED with cardinals locked inside Sistine Chapel

MAILONLINE BLOG: Follow live coverage as Catholic cardinals elect the next Pope in the highly secretive conclave to lead the Vatican following the death of Pope Francis last month.

Politics

4 d. ago Conclave live: Who will be the next Pope? First vote to elect new leader of Catholic Church underway with cardinals locked inside Sistine Chapel

MAILONLINE BLOG: Follow live coverage as Catholic cardinals elect the next Pope in the highly secretive conclave to lead the Vatican following the death of Pope Francis last month.

Politics

4 d. ago Conclave live: Who will be the next Pope? First vote to elect new leader of Catholic Church to take place today

MAILONLINE BLOG: Follow live coverage as Catholic cardinals elect the next Pope in the highly secretive conclave to lead the Vatican following the death of Pope Francis last month.

Politics

5 d. ago Rich MAGA Catholics fly to the Vatican after Trump said he'd 'like to be Pope'

US President Donald Trump joked he would like to be the new Pope after the death of Pope Francis. But some of his supporters are taking his comments a little too literally

Politics

6 d. ago What Conclave the film gets right and wrong about the next Pope’s election

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

Politics

8 d. ago Trump accused of ‘mocking’ Catholics after posting image of himself as pope

US president displays ‘pathological megalomania’ as cardinals gather to elect new leader after death of Pope FrancisDonald Trump has been accused of mocking the election of a new leader of the Catholic church after posting an AI-generated picture of himself as the pope on social media.The image, shared on Friday night on Trump’s Truth Social site and the White House’s official X account, raised eyebrows at the Vatican, which is still in the period of nine days of official mourning after Pope Francis’s funeral on 26 April. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Vatican issues 'sede vacante' postage stamps valid until a new pope is elected

Vatican post offices and selected collectors’ shops started selling this week special stamps marking the period between Pope Francis' death and the election of his successor

Politics

1 week ago John Oliver on RFK Jr: ‘A man who is clearly in way over his worm

The Last Week Tonight host discusses JD Vance meeting the late pope and delves into the decimation of the US healthcare system under Robert F Kennedy JrJohn Oliver kicked off his Sunday evening episode of Last Week Tonight by acknowledging the death of Pope Francis at the age of 88 last Monday. Francis died “just a day after meeting with JD Vance – which, honestly, relatable”, he quipped.The host speculated on who could replace Francis, including potential candidates Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi and Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, “whose last name apparently translates to pizza dance”. “And I know that it sounds almost offensively Italian,” said Oliver, “but do keep in mind every last name in Italy means pizza dance. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago The Vatican closes the Sistine Chapel to the public and prepares for a papal conclave

The Vatican is closing the Sistine Chapel to the public as part of its preparations for the the conclave to elect the next pope after the death of Pope Francis

Politics

2 w. ago Pope Francis’s tomb seen for first time in images released by Vatican

The pontiff was laid to rest at the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major on Saturday, after hundreds of thousands queued to bid farewell to him

Economics

2 w. ago Pope Francis’ tomb seen for first time in images released by Vatican

The pontiff was laid to rest at the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major on Saturday, after hundreds of thousands bid farewell

Economics

2 w. ago ‘Grazie Francesco’: silence gives way to cheers and applause for ‘pope of the people’

As Pope Francis’s coffin emerged into St Peter’s Square, the crowd paid tribute to a leader who urged the world to build bridgesAs bells tolled and the coffin emerged from the gloom of the basilica, a hush fell across St Peter’s Square, in keeping with traditional solemnity, but the crowd itched to break it. Death had silenced Pope Francis but those who had come to see him off were not going to stifle their love or grief. He had requested a simple burial, not a silent one.The quiet held while 14 pallbearers placed the wooden casket on the edge of the stairs for the start of the mass and continued while cardinals streamed to one side to form a blazing red bloc. On the other side was an array of dark-suited prime ministers, presidents, princes, princesses, kings and queens. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Funeral of Pope Francis: John Swinney at 'very moving' funeral as Scots mark death of Pope

"Although it's a sad day for the Catholic Church , it's a day where we can celebrate a great leader, so we want to be part of it."

Events

2 w. ago Bookies reveal fresh new Pope odds but punters in one country are banned from betting

Bookies are getting their odds in order for the cardinals hoping to step up following the death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday, which the secretive conclave process beginning

Events