29 h. ago 5 surprising facts you didn't know about new Pope from dividing sports fan to unexpected talent

As newly elected Pope Leo XIV begins his papacy, the Mirror takes a look back at the first US-born pope's all-American upbringing, and intriguing life filled with adventure and learning

Sport

30 h. ago An American has become pope. Will he be the moral leader we desperately need? | Arwa Mahdawi

Pope Francis spoke for the most vulnerable, from Palestinians in Gaza to immigrants in the US. Let’s hope that Leo will follow in his footstepsAmerica is back, baby. Not only has the Gulf of Mexico been successfully Americanized, the Vatican is now officially US territory. OK, fine, not officially, but, on Thursday, the Chicago-born Robert Francis Prevost was announced as pope. The 69-year-old, who has taken the papal name Leo XIV, is the first clergyman from the United States to lead the Roman Catholic church.While Prevost was a frontrunner for the papacy, his victory seems to have taken many experts by surprise. There has long been resistance to an American pope for a number of reasons, including the fact that it might make it appear as if the Vatican is aligned with the world’s strongest economic and military power. Continue reading...

Politics

46 h. ago New Pope Leo XIV makes first appearance at St Peter's Basilica

He was elected following a 24-hour conclave, with white smoke emerging from the Sistine Chapel chimney earlier today indicating a new Pope had been chosen.

Politics

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 ‘His time as pope was a gift we needed’ – world pays tribute to Francis

Pontiff’s compassion, dedication and humility earned him followers from beyond the Catholic churchLatest updates after death of Pope Francis After making his last public appearance on Easter Sunday in St Peter’s Square, Pope Francis died the next day at the age of 88. As head of the Catholic church, his appeal went far beyond those within his congregation. Many appreciated his views on the environment, his calls for ending poverty and inequality and for his compassionate approach to the papacy.Here, people from around the world recall their memories of the pontiff and pay tribute ahead of the conclave to choose his successor. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Five surprising things that happen after the Pope's death including destroying ring

The Catholic Church is now without a leader after Pope Francis' death and these things will happen before a new one is elected.

Events

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 Paul Gascoigne almost rejected phone call with Pope before brilliant opening line

England icon Paul Gascoigne almost left a surprise phone call from The Pope to ring out during a memorable Tottenham training session, before greeting His Holiness in traditional Geordie fashion

Politics

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 brief appearance at Easter Sunday mass in St Peter’s Square

Pope Francis also held short meeting with JD Vance, US vice-president, as pontiff recovers from severe bout of pneumoniaPope Francis, who is recovering from a severe bout of pneumonia, marked Easter Sunday by making a brief appearance to bless thousands of people who had gathered for mass in St Peter’s Square, and by holding a short meeting with the US vice-president, JD Vance.The 88-year-old pontiff – who nearly died during his recent, five-week stay at Rome’s Gemelli hospital – did not celebrate Easter Sunday mass in the piazza, instead delegating the service to Cardinal Angelo Comastri, the retired archpriest of St Peter’s Basilica. Continue reading...

Politics

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 ‘A maverick’: pope defies doctors’ orders with another surprise public outing

Dressed down pontiff visits St Peter’s Basilica, and is expected to appear at Easter Sunday mass Lorena Araujo Piñeiro, a restorer, was putting the finishing touches on the restoration of the 17th-century tomb of Pope Urban VIII, a dark bronze and gold monument in St Peter’s Basilica when she noticed a man wearing a striped poncho-like top, black trousers and no shoes, being pushed in a wheelchair towards her.“It was around noon and the basilica was practically empty,” said Piñeiro. “I struggled to recognise who it was I thought he was a simple pilgrim. It was as if he’d just got out of bed.” Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago ‘Maverick’ pope defies doctors’ orders with another surprise public outing

Dressed-down pontiff visits St Peter’s Basilica, and is expected to appear at Easter Sunday massLorena Araujo Piñeiro was putting the finishing touches to the restoration of the 17th-century tomb of Pope Urban VIII, a dark bronze and gold monument in St Peter’s Basilica, when she noticed a man wearing a striped poncho-like top, black trousers and no shoes, being pushed in a wheelchair towards her.“It was around noon and the basilica was practically empty,” said Piñeiro, a restorer. “I struggled to recognise who it was I thought he was a simple pilgrim. It was as if he’d just got out of bed.” Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago ‘He continues to be a maverick’: Francis keeps pushing the limits of papacy

Pope’s surprise public outings after serious illness show he is saying ‘I’m here, and I’m in charge’, a Vatican expert saysLorena Araujo Piñeiro was putting the finishing touches to the restoration of the 17th-century tomb of Pope Urban VIII, a dark bronze and gold monument in St Peter’s Basilica, when she noticed a man wearing a striped poncho-like top, black trousers and no shoes, being pushed in a wheelchair towards her.“It was around noon and the basilica was practically empty,” said Piñeiro, a restorer. “I struggled to recognise who it was I thought he was a simple pilgrim. It was as if he’d just got out of bed.” Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Good Morning Britain viewers blast ITV for 'top quality gaslighting' as they sink claws into 'hypocritical' presenter

Andi Peters, 54, regularly appears on the news show to inform fans of the programme's competition - and the prize currently up for grabs is a trip to Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida .

Society

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