2 w. 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

2 w. 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

2 w. 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

2 w. ago Pope Francis: tributes paid after head of Catholic church dies aged 88 – latest updates

Pope Francis, history’s first Latin American pontiff who was revered by millions of Catholics around the world, has died after a respiratory illnessFull story: Pope Francis, groundbreaking Jesuit pontiff, dies aged 88Yesterday Pope Francis appeared at the Vatican’s St Peter’s Square.The Pope, 88, came out in a wheelchair and waved from the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica saying to the crowds: “Dear brothers and sisters, Happy Easter.”Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7.35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of His Church. He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially in favor of the poorest and most marginalized. With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of t...

Events

2 w. 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

2 w. 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

2 w. 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

3 w. 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

4 w. 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