1 hour ago As Rome gears up for spectacle of Pope Francis’s funeral, mourners hail his humility

Sadness at pope’s passing is tinged with giddiness at holding world’s gaze with a pageant for the agesBeneath the basilica’s soaring Renaissance dome, the body in the coffin looked unexpectedly small, even shrunken, and for those who had come to say goodbye that somehow felt apt. Francis was pope but he was still, amid all the pomp and circumstance, just a man.His predecessors occupied plinths and alcoves around St Peter’s, figures of stone and marble with names etched in history books, while Jorge Mario Bergoglio lay in his wooden box, by common consent among mourners, a good man who did his best. Continue reading...

Politics

7 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

32 h. 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

59 h. ago Pope Francis's body to be laid out for public view as mourners flock to Vatican

The Pope will lie in state in St Peter's Basilica from Wednesday morning before a funeral mass is held in St Peter's Square on Saturday

Politics

3 d. ago Child sexual abuse scandal cast long shadow over Pope Francis’s papacy

Issue threatened to derail Francis’s papacy and dominated his trips abroadPope Francis: cardinals to meet in Rome to set date for funeral – liveIn 2002, the Boston Globe published a series of articles exposing the scale of child sexual abuse in the local Catholic church. It shone a spotlight – the title of a later movie based on the investigation – on the church’s dark shameful secrets.Eleven years later, Francis became pope. Wave after wave of abuse revelations continued to crash at the Vatican’s doors amid mounting anger and revulsion among the faithful and beyond. The issue threatened to derail Francis’s papacy and dominate his trips abroad. He was slow to grasp the scale and systemic nature of the issue and apparently reluctant to take firm action to deal with abusers and those who covered up abuse. Continue reading...

Events

3 d. ago Child sexual abuse scandal cast long shadow over Francis’s papacy

Issue dogged Francis throughout his time as head of Catholic church, with abuse survivors saying he failed to do enoughPope Francis: cardinals to meet in Rome to set date for funeral – liveIn 2002, the Boston Globe published a series of articles exposing the scale of child sexual abuse in the local Catholic church. It shone a spotlight – the title of a later movie based on the investigation – on the church’s dark shameful secrets.Eleven years later, Francis became pope. Wave after wave of abuse revelations continued to crash at the Vatican’s doors amid mounting anger and revulsion among the faithful and beyond. The issue threatened to derail Francis’s papacy and dominate his trips abroad. He was slow to grasp the scale and systemic nature of the issue and apparently reluctant to take firm action to deal with abusers and those who covered up abuse. Continue reading...

Events

3 d. ago Nostradamus's prediction on Pope Francis death and Catholic Church's future

One of the astrologer's prophecies is being linked to the Pope's death yesterday.

Events

3 d. 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

3 d. 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

3 d. ago Every word of Pope Francis's will including plans for his tomb

Francis proclaimed that the tomb should only have “Franciscus” written on it

Politics

3 d. ago Pope Francis's final testament released as burial wishes detailed – read pontiff's will in full

Pope Francis's final testament has been released by the Vatican, in which he shares his wishes for his burial and expresses gratitude to those who have loved him

Politics

3 d. ago Pope Francis's final testament released by Vatican reveals burial wishes

Pope Francis died following a stroke aged 88 on Easter Monday just a day after greeting crowds in Vatican City and now his final testament has released by the Vatican

Economics

3 d. ago Pope Francis' final hours and how he defied doctors to the end as full death certificate revealed

After a lengthy health battle, Pope Francis died aged 88 on Monday morning from a cerebral stroke that led to a coma and irreversible heart failure - triggering a nine-day mourning period

Events

4 d. ago Pope Francis's message was to be joyful, merciful and to look forward when lost

Father Gerard Maguiness, who met Pope Francis in February, writes about what the first Jesuit to be Supreme Pontiff meant to him

Events

4 d. ago Mourners at Westminster Cathedral remember Pope as ‘voice for peace’

Crowds gathered after the Vatican announced Pope Francis’s death on Easter Monday.

Politics

4 d. ago Pope Francis's wildest moments from aliens vow, Joe Biden 'head butt' to lags' feet kiss

Joe Biden in a moment of skin to skin contact, promises about Martians and an unlikely previous career, the late Pope Francis had a number of moments in his life that might take you by surprise

Politics

4 d. ago Political and religious leaders around the world pay tribute to Pope Francis

Pontiff remembered for defence of the vulnerable, and commitment to peace, social justice and the environmentPope Francis, groundbreaking Jesuit pontiff, dies aged 88Latest updates: tributes paid after Pope Francis diesPolitical and religious leaders around the world have paid tribute to the life and legacy of Pope Francis, whose 12-year papacy came to an end with his death in Rome early on Monday morning.Many recalled Francis’s unfailing defence of the poorest and most marginalised, and his profound commitment to peace and the environment. Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago Pope Francis's final day in photos: How pontiff spent yesterday celebrating Easter Sunday with the faithful, bringing smiles to the faces of thousands

An aide to the 88-year-old pontiff delivered his 'Urbi et Orbi' benediction from a balcony overlooking the square following mass to mark the holiday.

Culture