2 h. ago The battle for the Catholic Church’s future will not be over doctrine

In choosing the next pope, disagreements will be over the Church’s ‘style’ — its way of being, culture and mindset

Events

5 h. ago Royals and refugees to come together in Rome for funeral of Pope Francis

At least 130 foreign delegations and an estimated 200,000 pilgrims to descend on St Peter’s Square on SaturdayAn extraordinary array of invitees, spanning heads of state and royals from around the world, as well as refugees, prisoners, transgender people and those who are homeless will descend on St Peter’s Square on Saturday for the funeral of Pope Francis, the groundbreaking liberal pontiff who led the Catholic church for 12 years.Francis died at the age of 88 on Monday at his home in Casa Santa Marta after a stroke and subsequent heart failure. He had been recovering from double pneumonia that had kept him in hospital for five weeks. Continue reading...

Events

7 h. ago As it happened: Coffin of Pope Francis sealed after 250,000 pay homage to head of Catholic Church

Pope Francis’s coffin was sealed after a quarter of million people visited the late spiritual leader, as heads of state fly in to attend Saturday’s ceremony in St Peter’s Square

Politics

11 h. ago Pope Francis funeral latest: Pontiff’s coffin sealed after 250,000 pay homage to head of Catholic Church

Pope Francis’s coffin was sealed after a quarter of million people visited the late spiritual leader, as heads of state fly in to attend Saturday’s ceremony in St Peter’s Square

Politics

17 h. ago So you saw 'Conclave' the movie. Here's what it got right – and wrong – about real

Speculation surrounding a conclave to elect a pope is a time-honored tradition

Politics

36 h. ago Leader of the Catholic Church in England and Wales rules himself OUT of becoming next Pope

The leader of the Catholic Church in England and Wales has ruled himself out of running as the next Pope, MailOnline can reveal.

Politics

38 h. ago UK Cardinal tells of ‘weight’ felt ahead of conclave to choose new pope

Cardinal Vincent Nichols said Pope Francis had ‘died with his boots on’ and made a ‘total sacrifice’ in his life to the Church.

Politics

40 h. ago Who could be the new Pope? The cardinals who might become the next head of the Catholic Church

The late pontiff’s health concerns in recent years led to contenders to succeed him foreseeing a papabile ahead of his death

Politics

40 h. ago Conclave: Inside the secret election to choose the next Pope

The method the Catholic Church uses to select their leader has remained virtually unchanged for the last 800 years

Politics

50 h. ago ‘Who wept for these people?’ Francis’s papacy was defined by compassion for refugees

From personally promising to relocate vulnerable asylum seekers to speaking out against ‘cruel’ policies, the late pope was a voice for the marginalisedOn a glorious spring day almost a decade ago, an Airbus A320 took off from Mytilene airport on the Greek island of Lesbos. For what seemed like an age, a small group of bystanders, including officials and the media, watched in disbelief until the plane veered left over the sun-speckled Aegean Sea and its Alitalia livery could no longer be discerned. On board was Pope Francis, who had spent barely five hours on Lesbos, then at the centre of the refugee crisis on Europe’s eastern fringes.The whirlwind tour had been replete with symbolism but it was the pontiff’s fellow travellers who had caused such surprise. Moments after the head of the Roman Catholic Church had entered the aircraft, 12 refugees had also appeared, cheerfully making their way across the runway with expressions of stunned relief, their first taste of freedom after inca...

Events

61 h. ago How Pope Francis's unconventional funeral will draw in world leaders and captivate millions around the globe as 'humble' Pontiff is laid to rest

The pontiff died aged 88 on Easter Monday after suffering a stroke and cardiac arrest, bringing to an end his 12 years as the spiritual leader of the Roman Catholic Church.

Politics

65 h. ago Pope Francis' passing sees huge spike in Conclave streams as film explains process of new pope

Pope Francis passed away on Easter Monday aged 88, just months after the hit film Conclave, starring Ralph Fiennes was released, with the movie depicting how the Catholic Church select a new pope.

Culture

66 h. ago Inside 'secretive ritual' which is triggered after a pope dies and how new leader is chosen

Pope Francis, head of the Catholic Church, passed away on Monday, April 21, aged 88, leaving people wondering what will happen in the Vatican now and how a new leader will be selected

Events

67 h. ago People are only just discovering the very unexpected job Pope Francis had before becoming head of Catholic Church

People are shocked after learning the bizarre job Pope Francis had before becoming the head of Catholic Church. The Pope, who grew up in Buenos Aires, once worked as a bouncer.

Politics

69 h. ago The global south has lost its pope. The world has lost its conscience | Nathalie Tocci

He was no liberal, but Francis embodied a spirit of international solidarity that is in alarmingly short supplyPope Francis died hours after meeting the US vice-president, JD Vance. If that wasn’t a bad enough omen, the Republican congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, Donald Trump’s acolyte and self-styled “Christian nationalist”, appeared to welcome the pope’s death as a sign of “evil” being “defeated”.In fact, despite a series of clashes with the Trump White House, Francis was no liberal. While refraining from judging homosexuality, he explicitly disapproved of the liberalising synodal path embarked on by the Catholic church in Germany, which ruled in 2023 that church employees could not be sacked for entering same-sex relationships or remarrying after divorce. On abortion, euthanasia, women and LGBTQ+ rights, Francis betrayed the high hopes that liberals and progressives had bestowed upon him. Continue reading...

Politics

2 d. ago Pope Francis' death sparks massive spike in Conclave streaming numbers as viewers seek answers over selection of next pope

While the Catholic church prepares for its first papal conclave in 12 years, following the death of Pope Francis , many have been flocking to the hit movie Conclave.

Politics

3 d. 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

3 d. ago Pope Francis had a troubled course on dealing with clergy sexual abuse

Pope Francis had a learning curve on clergy sexual abuse, with the turning point coming in 2018

Events

3 d. ago Living Nostradamus says Pope Francis will be 'the last leader of Catholic church'

EXCLUSIVE: Athos Salomé, who is known as the 'Living Nostradamus', has released a series of bombshell predictions about the future of the Catholic church and Rome being hit by an earthquake

Politics

3 d. ago Pope Francis had ‘unfinished business’, says Michael D Higgins

The President of Ireland said he hopes the next pope will build on the steps Francis was able to take.

Politics