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Vatican City, Apr 23, 2025 / 01:12 am (CNA).

Pope Francis passed away at 7:35 a.m. local time on Easter Monday, April 21, at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta, as confirmed by the Holy See Press Office. The 88-year-old pontiff led the Catholic Church for a little more than 12 years.

Follow here for live updates of the latest news and information on the papal transition:

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Vatican City, Apr 22, 2025 / 17:08 pm (CNA).

With the death of Pope Francis on Monday, the Catholic Church has entered a mourning period, which will include nine days of Masses offered for the repose of his soul known as the "Novendiales."? 

Rooted in ancient Christian and Roman customs, the Novendiales is a period of nine consecutive days dedicated to mourning the death of a pope. The practice dates back centuries, mirroring the ancient Roman tradition of a nine-day funeral rite.

According to Church law, while the mourning period begins immediately upon the pope's death, marking the official start of the "sede vacante,"?or papal interregnum, the Novendiales will begin on the day of the pope's funeral, scheduled for April 26, and will be followed by consecutive days of Masses until May 4.

In the days leading up to the funeral, the late pope's body is placed in state at St. Peter's Basilica, where the faithful can pay their final respects. Pope Francis will lie in state from Wednesday morning until the funeral Saturday morning. 

The funeral: A global farewell 

Between the fourth and sixth day after the pope's death, the papal funeral takes place in St. Peter's Basilica or St. Peter's Square, presided over by the dean of the College of Cardinals, who is currently Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re. Pope Francis' funeral will take place on Saturday, April 26, at 10 a.m. Rome time.

The funeral follows the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis, the Vatican's official liturgical text for papal funerals, which was updated at Pope Francis' request in 2024. The late pope's face, his body having been placed in a simple wooden coffin lined with zinc, is covered with a silk veil. 

The ceremony is attended by heads of state, religious leaders, and thousands of faithful from around the world. At the end of the Mass, the traditional antiphon "In Paradisum" is sung, asking for the angels to guide the pope's soul to heaven. 

"May angels lead you into paradise; upon your arrival, may the martyrs receive you and lead you to the holy city of Jerusalem. May the ranks of angels receive you, and with Lazarus, the poor man, may you have eternal rest." 

Pope Francis, in accordance with his personal wishes expressed in his final testament, will not be buried in the Vatican grottoes but instead at the Basilica of St. Mary Major, a basilica that he visited more than 100 times during his papacy before and after his international trips in devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. 

The Novendiales? 

The nine-day period of Novendiales Masses begins on the day of the pope's funeral, in accordance with the apostolic constitution Universi Dominici Gregis.

Each day, a cardinal chosen by the late pope presides over a requiem Mass in St. Peter's Basilica. Red is the liturgical color for the Novendiales Masses, which follow the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis (2024).

While the Masses are open to the public, each day traditionally focuses on a particular group associated with the pope. The day after the funeral, Vatican City residents and employees are typically invited to attend. On the third day, clergy from the Diocese of Rome concelebrate the Mass, and on the seventh day, members of the Eastern Catholic Churches are invited. 

The Holy See Press Office has confirmed that the Mass scheduled to take place in St. Peter's Square for the Jubilee of Teenagers on Sunday morning presided over by Cardinal Pietro Parolin will be the second Novendiales Mass. The following Masses will take place in the afternoon each day until May 4. 

The general congregations 

The mourning period is not only a time of prayer but also of preparation. Throughout the Novendiales, the College of Cardinals gathers daily for general congregations to discuss the Church's next steps. Cardinals under the age of 80, who are eligible to vote in the upcoming conclave, are required to travel to Rome to take part in the election of the next pope. 

The first general congregation can take place as soon as two days after the pope's death. In these initial meetings, the cardinals focus on funeral arrangements and setting a date for the conclave.  

By the eighth general congregation, discussions shift to the broader state of the Church and the major issues facing the Roman Curia. The Vatican has emphasized that no names of papabile — cardinals considered leading candidates to be elected pope — are brought up during these pre-conclave congregations.  

The mourning period concludes with the end of the Novendiales, after which the Church formally begins the process of selecting the next successor of Peter.?The conclave typically begins around the 15th day after the pope's death. 

As the bells of St. Peter's Basilica toll in mourning, Catholics around the world pause to reflect on the life and legacy of Pope Francis. For nearly two weeks, the Church waits before the conclave begins and then waits a little longer for the white smoke to rise from the Sistine Chapel once again, signaling the election of a new pope. 

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Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Apr 22, 2025 / 17:56 pm (CNA).

During oral arguments Tuesday, most of the justices on the United States Supreme Court appeared sympathetic toward parents in their lawsuit against a Maryland school board that refused to let them opt their children out of coursework that promotes gender ideology.

Catholic, Ethiopian Orthodox, and Muslim parents sued the Montgomery County Board of Education in May 2023 after the body ended its policy of notifying parents of coursework promoting homosexuality and transgenderism and allowing the parents to opt out.

Under the current policy, the school board only permits opt-outs in narrow circumstances, which is mostly related to sexual education in health class. It does not permit opt-outs for coursework that endorses the views that there are more than two genders, that a boy can become a girl, or that homosexual marriages are moral.

Some of the coursework initially introduced in the curriculum was designed to promote these concepts to children as young as 3 years old in preschool.

Eric Baxter, senior counsel for the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, represented the parents before the Supreme Court on April 22. He argued the school board's policy violates the First Amendment of the Constitution by "indoctrinating" students about values that conflict with the religious beliefs of his clients.

"There's no basis for denying opt-outs for religious reasons," Baxter said. "... Parents, not school boards, should have the final say on such religious matters."

He said that under the policy, there are "children of an extremely young age being indoctrinated in a topic that's known to be sensitive." He said it's "designed to disrupt students' … thinking on sexuality and gender identity."

Alternatively, the school board's lawyer, Alan Schoenfeld, acknowledged that these concepts are "deeply offensive to some people of faith" but said parents have no First Amendment right to opt children out of "learning about them."

Schoenfeld said "the board wants to teach civility and respect for difference in the classroom" and, through that, "there is obviously an incidental message in some of these books that these life choices and these lifestyles are worthy of respect."

"Incidental messages that these things ought to be normalized and treated with respect, I think, is simply part of the work that the school is doing in cultivating respect in a pluralistic school," he added.

Most justices bothered by forced curriculum

The Republican-appointed justices, who account for six of the nine members of the court, expressed concern with the policy during oral arguments and appeared supportive of parents who want to opt their children out of the coursework.

"I guess I am a bit mystified, as a lifelong resident of the county, how it came to this," Justice Brett Kavanaugh told Baxter during the oral arguments.

Kavanaugh repeatedly grilled Schoenfeld on why the board could not provide opt-outs, noting that the county previously had an opt-out, and "every other school board in the country has opt-outs for all sorts of things."

Schoenfeld said the opt-outs ceased to be feasible because of the high rates of parents opting their children out in some schools and the inability to secure spaces and supervision for all of the children opted out of the coursework.

Justice Amy Coney Barrett noted that some of the instruction materials given to teachers on the subjects are "not just exposure to the idea" but rather a "presentation of the idea as fact."

"It's saying 'this is the right view of the world, this is how we think about things, this is how you should think about things,'" Barrett added. "This is like 'two plus two is four.'"

"We have the books being read in the classroom," she said. "It's not mere exposure."

Barrett pressed Schoenfeld on numerous support materials given to teachers to help instruct students on these matters, which included telling the children that "people of any gender can like whoever they like" and that "when we're born, people make a guess about our gender and label us 'boy' or 'girl' based on our body parts — sometimes they're right; sometimes they're wrong." 

"So it was part of the curriculum to teach them that boys can be girls or that your pronouns can change depending on how you feel one day to the next," Barrett said. "That was part of the goal?"

Schoenfeld said the materials "are to help a teacher answer a student's questions" and to explain concepts like homosexuality and transgenderism but argued that the material is not a "script" and that children are not forced to affirm those statements.

At one point during oral arguments when Schoenfeld argued that the children do not have to agree with the material in the book or the statements by teachers, Chief Justice John Roberts interjected to say: "Is that a realistic concept when you're talking about a 5-year-old?"

Justice Samuel Alito specifically referenced one of the books, called "Uncle Bobby's Wedding," which he said "has a clear moral message" promoting a homosexual marriage and a scene in which the mother of a girl instructs her: "You shouldn't have any reservations about this."

"The book has a clear message and a lot of people think it's a good message and maybe it is a good message, but it's a message that a lot of people that hold on to traditional religious beliefs don't agree with," Alito said. "I don't think anybody can read that and think, 'Well this is just telling children that there are occasions when men marry other men.'"

Justice Neil Gorsuch expressed concern that the coursework is "being used in English language instruction at age 3," adding that it appears to be designed "to influence students."

Schoenfeld suggested it is only meant to influence the children on "civility."

Where to draw the line

Some of the justices who were appointed by Democrats, which are three of the nine members, expressed concerns about constitutionalizing the issue and that acknowledging a broad constitutional right for opt-outs could produce lawsuits on a variety of subjects.

Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, for example, said there are "a lot of sincerely held beliefs" and asked Baxter whether an "opt-out" proclamation from the Supreme Court could apply to a student objecting to having a transgender classmate or a gay teacher displaying a photo of his same-sex wedding. 

"This is not just about books," Jackson said. "This is about exposure to people of different sexual orientations and the sincerely held objection that children shouldn't be exposed to this."

Baxter said, however, that a student cannot tell a teacher what to say or object to a transgender classmate under the "opt-out" policies that his clients are requesting.

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CNA Staff, Apr 22, 2025 / 18:17 pm (CNA).

At the first general congregation of cardinals in Rome on Tuesday, the estimated 60 cardinals in attendance chose the date of Pope Francis' funeral and suspended beatification celebrations.

The closed-door meeting to discuss the upcoming conclave and other issues pertaining to the interregnum took place at 9 a.m. local time the day after the death of the pontiff as cardinals hurried from around the world to the Eternal City. 

As part of the interregnum period, the cardinals will meet frequently to make various decisions about the upcoming papal funeral and conclave. 

The cardinals set the papal funeral for Saturday, April 26, at 10 a.m. Rome time in St. Peter's Square. Pope Francis will be buried at the Basilica of St. Mary Major, per his request, following the funeral. Pope Francis' body will be transferred on Wednesday morning to St. Peter's Basilica for the faithful to pay their respects. 

Pope Francis' funeral is the first Mass of the "Novendiales" — a nine-day cycle of liturgical and spiritual preparation for the conclave. Cardinals will arrive from around the world to participate in the general congregations before the conclave, known as "preparatory sessions."

Tuesday's hour-and-a-half assembly began with a moment of silent prayer for the repose of the soul of the late Holy Father. 

At the assembly, the cardinals suspended upcoming beatification celebrations until the newly elected pope takes office. 

During the meeting, the cardinals took an oath to follow the norms of the interregnum, which are detailed in Pope John Paul II's 1996 apostolic constitution Universi Dominici Gregis. These norms include keeping "rigorous secrecy" around the election of the next pope.

The Irish-American Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who serves as the camerlengo of the apostolic chamber, read Pope Francis' will.

During the general congregations, the cardinals will convene on important decisions such as the date of the conclave and approval of necessary expenses. 

The conclave can begin as early as 15 days after the Holy Father's death so that all voting cardinals may attend, according to Universi Dominici Gregis. Once a maximum of 20 days have passed, the cardinals are obliged to begin the conclave. However, the rules also permit an earlier start should the cardinals agree and all of the electors have arrived.

All cardinals are expected to participate in the conclave unless a serious impediment prevents them, while cardinals older than 80 are ineligible to vote in the conclave. Of the 252 Catholic cardinals, 135 have voting privileges in the conclave.

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Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Apr 22, 2025 / 11:12 am (CNA).

The start of a papal interregnum brings many terms that may not be familiar to many people, including many Catholics. Here are some of the key words and phrases that will be used throughout the interregnum, especially the conclave to elect the new pope.

Apostolic See or Holy See: The earthly heart of the Church is often referred to as the Apostolic See or Holy See. A see is a seat of authority, from the Latin "sede" for "chair." Jesus said the Pharisees sat on the chair of Moses. Judges sit on a bench, representing the authority of the state. Professors hold chairs of academic authority. And in the Church bishops possess chairs of spiritual authority, which is why in part their dioceses are called sees. The Roman Diocese has been called the Apostolic See, or Holy See, from ancient times, as it is the seat of authority of the chief apostle Peter, who has Christ's authority over holy things. The expression applies not only to the pope but also to those in Rome who assist him in governing the universal Church. 

camerlengo: The camerlengo, or chamberlain, of the holy Roman Church has the key role of organizing the process during the vacancy of the Apostolic See, the interregnum. It is the camerlengo, assisted by the master of papal liturgical celebrations and other officials who certify the death of the pope. During the period of vacancy the camerlengo, assisted by the vice camerlengo, gathers reports from the departments of the Curia so that the College of Cardinals can manage the ordinary affairs of the Holy See until a new pope is elected. This is necessary since virtually all department heads lose their offices when a pope dies, except for the camerlengo, the major penitentiary, and the almoner of his holiness.

cardinal: As the root of the name suggests — Latin for "cardo," or "hinge" — cardinals are among the closest advisers of the pope and have the immense responsibility of electing the bishop of Rome, the pope, in a conclave. The ecclesiastical rank of cardinal was known from about A.D. 315 and the time of Pope Sylvester I. Today these titles, with their reference to ancient responsibilities as being among the clergy of Rome, are said to be "titular," not actual. The actual offices held by cardinals today are instead within the Roman Curia or as archbishops of dioceses around the world. Cardinals are generally bishops, though the pope may grant an exception, as has been done on several occasions in recent decades. By custom, cardinals are called princes of the Church, with the title of eminence, and enjoy special privileges such as wearing scarlet, a reminder that they are expected also to be witnesses of the faith "usque ad sanguinis effusionem" ("even to the shedding of their blood"). 

cardinal electors: Cardinal electors are those who are eligible to vote in a papal election. All cardinals under the age of 80 on the day on which the Roman See becomes vacant are allowed to participate in the conclave. The exceptions are those who are legitimately prevented by illness or other circumstances, those who have been deposed by the pope, and those from whom the pope has accepted the renunciation of the cardinalate. For most of the history of papal elections there was no age limit on the cardinals to take part in a conclave. However, in 1970 the age requirement of 80 was imposed by Pope Paul VI. He decreed that cardinals turning 80 should cease to be members of the departments of the Roman Curia and of the other institutions and lose the right to elect the pope. If, however, a cardinal completes his 80th year after the Apostolic See becomes vacant, he remains an elector for the conclave. Electors who have been legitimately delayed or who leave for a reason recognized in law may enter, or reenter, the conclave even while it is in progress. Every pope since 1378 has been chosen from among the body of voting cardinals.

College of Cardinals: The collective name given to the body of cardinals, known formally as the Sacred College of Cardinals. This group consists of bishops, and by exception priests, whom a pope has chosen to be his close advisers and collaborators — and to whom he has entrusted the task of electing his successor — are called cardinals. The name derives from the Latin for "hinge" and came into use in the fourth century. The College of Cardinals, or all cardinals collectively, was constituted in its current form in A.D. 1150, although the cardinals have served as the exclusive electors of the pope since 1059. Members belong to one of three ranks, cardinal deacons, cardinal priests, and cardinal bishops.

consistory or congregation: A gathering of cardinals to advise the pope or assist him in his duties. During the vacancy of the Apostolic See there are three kinds of assemblies of the cardinals. General congregations are attended by all the cardinals who are not legitimately impeded, such as by sickness. Particular congregations are composed of the cardinal chamberlain (camerlengo) and three other cardinals. These particular congregations handle the ordinary business of the Roman Church during the interregnum, referring anything significant to the general congregation. Finally, once the cardinal electors gather to elect a pope, their assembly is called a conclave. 

conclave: When the cardinal electors gather to elect a pope their assembly is called a conclave. The name is derived from the Latin for "cum clavis" ("with a key"), describing the symbolic but historical procedure by which the cardinal electors are locked into the place of election until their task of electing a new pope is finished. The conclave system was formalized in 1274 by Pope Gregory X in the bull Ubi Periculum. It sought to prevent another lengthy interregnum such as the three-year-long ordeal that had preceded his election in 1271. Its procedures are minutely governed today by the apostolic constitution Universi Dominici Gregis of Pope John Paul II, as amended by Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis, and allows for no innovations on the part of the cardinals. By tradition and law, it is held in the Sistine Chapel, and votes are taken once or twice in a morning session and once or twice in an afternoon session. When the session concludes without an election the ballots are burned, causing black smoke to emanate from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel. However, if a pope is elected they are burned with a chemical agent, producing the characteristic white smoke signaling the election of a pope.

dean of the College of Cardinals: The most senior member of the College of Cardinals, elected from among the ranks of the cardinal bishops, and confirmed by the pope. The dean is assisted by the vice dean in convoking the cardinals when the pope dies, as well as presiding over their congregations and over the conclave. He is the one who asks the electee to accept election as pope. The dean always has the titular office of the bishop of Ostia, the diocese located at the mouth of the River Tiber, on whose banks Rome sits. The cardinal dean also holds the title he held at the time of his promotion to dean. If the dean is over the age of 80 and therefore ineligible to participate in the conclave, his duties are performed by the vice dean. If he, too, is over 80, the task of running the conclave falls to the most senior cardinal bishop under the age of 80. In the current conclave, both the dean (Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, age 91) and vice dean (Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, age 81) are ineligible, and so the conclave will be directed by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the next eligible most senior cardinal bishop. 

dicastery: A dicastery is a department of the Roman Curia whose mission is to assist the pope in his governance of the Church. Among them are the Secretariat of State, the various one-time congregations, such as the Doctrine of the Faith; the tribunals, such as the Apostolic Signatura; the councils, such as for Promoting Christian Unity; and the offices, such as the Camerlengo (which administers the goods of the Holy See during a vacancy). Major dicasteries are traditionally headed by a cardinal, but Pope Francis has also named a woman religious as a prefect as well. Dicasteries are composed of a body of cardinals and bishops who meet periodically to conduct the more important business, assisted by other officials, consultors, and employees, both clergy and laity. 

Domus Sancta Marthae: Called in the Italian the Casa Santa Marta, or St. Martha's House, the Vatican guesthouse used to welcome various visitors with business in the Vatican and especially to house the cardinals during the conclave. Prior to the conclave that elected Pope Benedict XVI in 2005, the cardinal electors stayed in cramped quarters quickly prepared in the Apostolic Palace near the Sistine Chapel. With the increase in the number of electors in recent decades, this arrangement proved inadequate. Pope John Paul II ordered the construction of the Domus Sancta Marthae, named for the holy woman of Bethany, St. Martha, who busied herself with hospitality for the Lord. In 2005 and 2013, the Domus housed both the nonvoting cardinals before the election and the voting cardinals (those under 80 years of age) once the election began. It also served as the residence of Pope Francis from the time of his election in 2013.

electing a pope: The manner of choosing a pope is not of divine institution. Papal authority is supreme in the Church, so whatever procedure a pope establishes for the election of his successor is lawful, valid, and obligatory until another pope changes it. Christ personally chose Peter, and it is believed that Peter himself designated his successor as Linus. How other of the early popes were elected, by vote or designation, is not known with certainty. However, from the fourth century we see the evolution of procedures culminating in the 11th and 12th centuries in the current system of cardinal electors. The current conclave system of electing a pope was introduced in 1274 by Pope Gregory X. This system has itself been reformed by many popes, including John Paul II, and on some points by Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis. 

interregnum: The period between the reigns of popes, formally called the vacancy of the Apostolic See, or "sede vacante." A vacancy may come about due to the death of a reigning pope or to his resignation from office. If a pope has died the cardinals gather in Rome to mourn him and to plan and carry out his funeral and burial. In both the case of death and resignation, they will meet in conclave to elect his successor. During a vacancy, except for certain offices necessary for day-to-day affairs, all department heads in the Roman Curia lose their authority, and the power of the cardinals is limited to those matters concerned with guarding the authority and patrimony of the Holy See for the next pope. 

major penitentiary: The major penitentiary is one of the curial officials who do not lose their offices with the vacancy of the Holy See. The others are the camerlengo or chamberlain of the holy Roman Church and the almoner of his holiness. The major penitentiary is responsible for indulgences, the provision of confessors for the patriarchal basilicas in Rome, and judging questions of conscience (called the internal forum) submitted for adjudication to the Holy See. These include dispensations and absolution from sanctions, such as excommunication, which are reserved in law to the Holy See. The authority of the major penitentiary, therefore, continues during the interregnum.

Novendiales: Following the death of the pope nine days of official mourning are held, called the Novendiales, meaning nine days. The nine days of official mourning, commencing with the day of the solemn funeral Mass, are called the Novendiales. This funeral Mass, and Day 1 of the Novendiales, must fall between the fourth and sixth day after death, that is, on the fifth, sixth, or seventh day of the interregnum, as determined by the College of Cardinals. The mourning period then continues until the nine days are completed. Typically, a Mass is celebrated by a cardinal and might involve officials and staff from different Vatican offices, such as the Vatican City State, the Roman Curia, members of Consecrated Life, and the Eastern Churches. 

papal primacy: Papal primacy refers to the supreme, immediate, and ordinary authority of the pope over everyone in the whole Church. Definitively and precisely stated only at the First Vatican Council in 1870, this primacy of jurisdiction has been exercised by St. Peter and the bishops of Rome from the beginning of the Church. This can be seen in the norms announced by the apostle at the Council of Jerusalem in Acts 15, in the letter of Peter's successor, Clement, to Corinth from about A.D. 85, and many other examples from the Fathers of the Church in which the bishop of Rome is acknowledged as the final court, and the point of unity, for all the local Churches in the universal Church. 

papal titles: The election of a pope is first and foremost the election of the successor to St. Peter as the bishop of Rome. From this office derives all the other offices and titles he will hold. For example, the Roman bishop is the archbishop and metropolitan of the Roman province, the primate or first bishop of Italy, the vicar of Jesus Christ, the supreme pontiff, and pastor of the universal Church. He is the "servant of the servants of God," a title coined about A.D. 600 by Pope Gregory I the Great. As spiritual father to all Christians he is called "pope" ("papa"), "holy father," and "your holiness" ? not because he is holy but because the things of Christ, which he administers, are holy. All of these offices belong to the man elected the bishop of Rome.

pope: The title "pope" means "father." In ancient Greek it was a child's term of affection (papa) but was borrowed by Latin as a title of honor. Both Greek-speaking Eastern Christians and Latin-speaking Western Christians applied the term broadly to priests, bishops, and patriarchs in the early Church. Even today, the faithful of the Orthodox Churches may call their parish priest pope. Gradually, however, Latin usage became more restrictive. At the beginning of the third century, papa was a term of respect for churchmen in high positions; by the fifth century, it was applied particularly to the bishop of Rome; and since the eighth century, as far the West is concerned, the title has been exclusively a reference to the pope in Rome.

proto-deacon: The name used for the most senior cardinal deacon who makes the announcement to the waiting world that the election has taken place and proclaims the name of the new pope by exclaiming "Habemus papam!" ("We have a pope!"). The proto-deacon is the longest serving of the cardinals who hold the rank within the College of Cardinals of cardinal deacon (the other ranks being cardinal priests and cardinal bishops) based on the date of his appointment to the college and by the order of announcement on the "biglietto" or papal decree. The current proto-deacon is Cardinal Dominique Mamberti. 

Roman Curia: Curia is a Latin term for a ruling body and its place of assembly. In ancient Rome the senate met in the Curia, which can still be seen among the ruins of the Roman Forum. Within the Church the term is used for those who assist a bishop in the governance of his diocese. With respect to the bishop of Rome, it applies to the members of the various Roman dicasteries, such as the Doctrine of the Faith, Saints, Tribunals, Councils, Offices, Commissions, and Committees who assist the pope in his governing of the Church. The current authority, structure, responsibilities, and operation of the Curia were established by Pope Francis in 2022 with the apostolic constitution Praedicate Evangelium.

Sistine Chapel: When the cardinal electors, those under 80 years of age, gather twice daily to deliberate and vote for the next pope, they will do so in the Sistine Chapel of the Apostolic Palace. Built for Pope Sixtus IV (1471-1484), after whom it is named, this chapel was made famous by Pope Julius II (1503-1513), who in 1508 commissioned Michelangelo to decorate its vault, a task he completed in 1512. Later, Michelangelo painted the "Last Judgment" on the altar wall for Pope Paul III (1534-1549). It is before this imposing painting that the cardinal electors will cast their votes for the next pope. The first conclave to be held in the Sistine Chapel was in 1492 and the election of Pope Alexander VI, and the last not to be held there was in 1846 and the election of Pope Pius IX when it was held in the Quirinal Palace in Rome. In the decree governing the conclave, Pope John Paul II's 1996 apostolic constitution Universi Dominic Gregis, the cardinals are mandated to hold the election in the Sistine Chapel, "where everything is conducive to an awareness of the presence of God, in whose sight each person will one day be judged" (Universi Dominic Gregis, Introduction).

supreme pontiff: "Pontiff" is taken from the Latin "pontifex" or "bridge-builder." This title was given in ancient Rome to priests, seen as the mediators between the gods and men. In Christian teaching, Christ is the one mediator reconciling God and man. He alone is necessary. However, he utilizes human beings in offices of secondary mediation in order to effect his plan of salvation through his mystical body the Church. Applied to the bishop of Rome, "pontiff," therefore, points to the high priesthood of Jesus Christ, which the pope exercises as a bishop. As pope, he is said to be the supreme pontiff, because he is pastor not only of his own diocese but also of the universal Church. 

Vatican City State: Vatican City State is the world's smallest sovereign state, with its own diplomatic corps, passport, laws, police, stamps, and head of state, the pope. A 1929 concordat with Italy established the state, restoring the political autonomy the papacy had enjoyed for centuries in the Papal States. These states in central Italy protected the Church from subjection to kings and princes but were lost when the forces of Italian unification — the "Risorgimento" — entered Rome in 1870. The Vatican Concordat settled the issue of the pope's temporal authority, securing for him sovereignty over the Vatican and certain other properties in Italy. Even during World War II, when Hitler contemplated invading the Vatican and capturing the pope, it provided a diplomatically secure place from which the Church could act independently.

vicar of Christ: The title "vicar of Christ" is closely associated with Our Lord's titles "son of David" and "king of Israel." It was foretold to David that a descendant would reign on David's throne forever. This king is Jesus Christ, who reigns in an eternal spiritual kingdom, as opposed to the earthly kingdom that many expected the messiah to take up. Every king has a prime minister, a vizier or vicar, to implement his will and speak in his name. Although the kingdom of God has no material treasures to guard and dispense, it has spiritual treasures: the faith, the sacraments, the unity of the Church. This spiritual treasure is what was committed to Peter under the symbol of the keys and is passed to those who succeed him in his office as the vicar of Christ.

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Rome Newsroom, Apr 22, 2025 / 04:53 am (CNA).

Pope Francis' funeral Mass will take place Saturday, April 26, at 10 a.m. in St. Peter's Square, the Vatican announced Tuesday. 

The Mass will be presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals. 

Following the funeral, the pope's coffin will be taken to St. Peter's Basilica and then to the Basilica of St. Mary Major for burial. 

In accordance with his personal wishes, Francis will not be buried in the Vatican grottoes but instead at the Basilica of St. Mary Major, a church he visited more than 100 times during his papacy, before and after international trips, in devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.  

U.S. President Donald Trump has indicated that he plans to attend the funeral with the first lady, Melania Trump. Other heads of state, religious leaders and thousands of faithful from around the world are expected to attend. 

In the days leading up to the funeral, the late pope's body will lie in state at St. Peter's Basilica, where the faithful can pay their final respects. He will lie in state from Wednesday morning until the funeral Saturday morning, following the rite of translation on Wednesday, April 23, which will begin at 9 a.m. A procession will pass through Santa Marta Square and the Square of the Roman Protomartyrs before entering the basilica through the central door, according to the Holy See Press Office. 

The papal funeral will follow the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis, the Vatican's official liturgical text for papal funerals, which was updated at Francis' request in 2024. The late pope's face, his body having been placed in a simple wooden coffin lined with zinc, is covered with a silk veil. 

The funeral is the first in nine days of Masses offered for the repose of his soul, known as the "Novendiales." Each day, a cardinal chosen by the late pope will preside over a Requiem Mass in St. Peter's Basilica. 

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Vatican City, Apr 22, 2025 / 06:55 am (CNA).

The Vatican on Tuesday released the first photos of Pope Francis after his death, showing him dressed in red vestments and lying in a simple, wooden coffin inside the chapel of the Santa Marta guesthouse. 

The photos, taken on the evening of April 21 during the first step of the papal funeral rites, show the pontiff, who died earlier in the day at the age of 88, holding a rosary and wearing the papal miter and pallium. The lit Easter candle is visible to Francis' right, and he is flanked by Swiss Guards. 

The photos also show scenes from the "rite of the ascertainment of death and deposition in the coffin," the first stage in the papal funeral rites, which was presided over by the camerlengo, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, on April 21.  

The photos also show the sealing of the papal apartments in the Casa Santa Marta, where Pope Francis lived during his pontificate. 

Farrell — along with Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin and his deputy Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra — also closed and sealed the papal apartment in the Apostolic Palace, as called for by protocol. 

On April 22, the Vatican's liturgical office also published information about what will happen next in the funeral rites for Pope Francis. 

Pope Francis' casket will be moved to St. Peter's Basilica in a solemn procession on the morning of Wednesday, April 23, and placed near the basilica's main altar for the public to view the body, pray, and say goodbye. 

Pope Francis' funeral Mass, called the "Missa poenitentialis," will be held in St. Peter's Square at 10 a.m. local time on Saturday, April 26. 

The funeral will mark the first day of the "novendiales," nine consecutive days of mourning for the pope. 

Also on Tuesday morning, the College of Cardinals met for the first of its "general congregations," pre-conclave meetings of cardinals to discuss important Church business during the sede vacante (vacant see of Peter), issues facing the universal Church, and what qualities could be desirable in the next pope. 

According to the Holy See Press Office around 60 cardinals were present for the first general congregation, which included prayer for Pope Francis and the reading of his final testament.  

The college also chose three cardinals to assist Farrell, the camerlengo, over the next three days: Cardinals Pietro Parolin, Fabio Baggio, and Stanislaw Rylko. The second meeting will be held on the afternoon of April 23.  

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CNA Staff, Apr 22, 2025 / 07:00 am (CNA).

Pope Francis, who died on April 21 at the age of 88, visited the United States just once, nearly 10 years ago, in September 2015. 

Despite the brevity of the visit, he accomplished a lot: Attracting hundreds of thousands of participants, he canonized a new saint (St. Junípero Serra), became the first pope to ever address a joint session of Congress, and galvanized the U.S. Catholic community with his presence and his speeches on the East Coast.

Washington, D.C.

Pope Francis began his tour of North America with several days in Cuba. Landing in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 22, 2015, Pope Francis met with President Barack Obama first thing the next morning. The meeting came amid a time of concerns for many American Catholics regarding politics, including the Obama administration's contraceptive mandate and the recent legalization of same-sex marriage nationwide, via the June 2015 Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges.

During the presidential meeting, Francis praised Obama's commitment to inclusivity and noted that American Catholics have contributed greatly to building a tolerant and inclusive society while also stressing that religious liberty "remains one of America's most precious possessions." He also encouraged commitment to addressing the "urgent" issue of climate change, building on his expansive 2015 encyclical on the environment, Laudato Si'. 

While in D.C., that same day, the pope addressed bishops and priests at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle and later celebrated Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. At the latter Mass, he celebrated the first canonization on American soil by declaring Junípero Serra, who founded missions along present-day California, a saint.

"He was the embodiment of 'a Church which goes forth,' a Church which sets out to bring everywhere the reconciling tenderness of God," the pope said.

On the same day, Francis made an unscheduled stop to visit with the Little Sisters of the Poor in Washington, D.C., to support the sisters as they awaited word on whether or not the Supreme Court will hear their case against the federal contraception mandate. (The sisters are still fighting aspects of the mandate, even after more than 14 years in court.)

Francis addressed a joint session of Congress the next day, Sept. 24, making him the first pope to ever to do so. During his lengthy speech, he condemned the arms trade and the death penalty — statements that reportedly made some lawmakers in the room squirm. 

Francis went on to assert that the family was being threatened like never before and praised American figures, including Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King Jr., for their tireless efforts to defend freedom and moral values. He also touched on respect for human life and the environment in the well-received speech.

The pope also visited St. Patrick Parish and met with people experiencing homelessness at Catholic Charities, addressing people who minister to the poor. He offered St. Joseph as their patron and model, because, he said, St. Joseph grappled with injustice and suffering in his care for Mary and Jesus.

"The Son of God came into this world as a homeless person," the pope said. "The Son of God knew what it was to start life without a roof over his head."

"We can find no social or moral justification, no justification whatsoever, for lack of housing. There are many unjust situations, but we know that God is suffering with us, experiencing them at our side. He does not abandon us."

Controversially, while in D.C. Pope Francis met with Kim Davis, a Kentucky county clerk who had become a cultural lightning rod for refusing to issue same-sex marriage licenses. The pope reportedly told her to "stay strong," offering rosaries to Davis and her husband. The Vatican later clarified that Francis met with Davis and her husband as part of a large group invited by the nunciature, with the Vatican spokesperson adding that the pope "did not enter into the details" of her situation.

New York City

After flying to New York City the evening of Sept. 24 and praying vespers at St. Patrick's Cathedral in Manhattan, Francis addressed the United Nations General Assembly the next day, Sept. 25, the fifth time a pope had addressed the body.

The pontiff issued a call to the countries of the world to reject what he called "ideological colonization" — the "imposition of anomalous models and lifestyles which are alien to people's identity and, in the end, irresponsible."

Like his predecessor, Benedict XVI, Pope Francis made a solemn visit with other religious leaders to Ground Zero, the site of the 9/11 attacks, later on Sept. 25. He met with families of first responders, saying at the site museum that acts of destruction always have "a face, a concrete story, names." He offered a "prayer of remembrance" for all those killed that day, along with a prayer for the survivors and those who are mourning the loss of their loved ones.

Later that day, after visiting Our Lady, Queen of the Angels School in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City, Francis celebrated Mass at Madison Square Garden. He encouraged people to remember those in the city who are often forgotten, including "foreigners, the children who go without schooling, those deprived of medical insurance, the homeless, the forgotten elderly."

"Knowing that Jesus still walks our streets, that he is part of the lives of his people, that he is involved with us in one vast history of salvation, fills us with hope. A hope which liberates us from the forces pushing us to isolation and lack of concern for the lives of others, for the life of our city," the pope said.

"A hope which frees us from empty 'connections,' from abstract analyses, or sensationalist routines. A hope which is unafraid of involvement, which acts as a leaven wherever we happen to live and work. A hope which makes us see, even in the midst of smog, the presence of God as he continues to walk the streets of our city."

Philadelphia

Pope Francis' visit included an appearance at the 2015 World Meeting of Families (WMF) in Philadelphia, an event that focuses on celebrating the gift of the family. 

After flying to the "City of Brotherly Love" the morning of Sept. 26, Pope Francis took part in a Mass for clergy and religious at Philadelphia's Cathedral Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul. In his homily address, the pope challenged the clergy and religious to inspire new vocations. 

He called for women to take on a greater role in the Church, highlighting the example of St. Katharine Drexel — a Philadelphia native — and he reminded the priests and religious present of their role in ministering to families, couples preparing for marriage, and young people.

He later addressed a crowd of some 50,000 people at Independence Mall, the site of Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, for a religious freedom rally with Hispanic and other immigrants. 

Speaking to thousands of families gathered on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia that night, a visibly moved Pope Francis ditched his prepared remarks and instead gave an impromptu reflection on the beauty and dire importance of family life. He voiced his thanks at "the presence of all of you — who are a real witness that it's worth being a family!" A society "is strong, solid, and edified on beauty, goodness, and truth," he added.

On Sept. 27, the next day, Francis had an unscripted meeting with five abuse survivors — three women and two men — all of whom had been abused in childhood either by members of the clergy, family members, or educators. He promised accountability for perpetrators and expressed sorrow for the victims' suffering. 

In the face of such heinous acts as sexual abuse, "God cries," he said, adding that "the criminal sins of the abuse of minors can't be kept in silence any longer … I promise, with the vigilance of the Church, to protect minors and I promise [that] all of those responsible will be held accountable."

He told a gathering of international bishops afterward that the survivors' stories of suffering "have aggravated my heart" and said that crimes of abuse must never be kept in silence.

Later that morning, Francis visited a Philadelphia correctional facility, saying at the meeting with a group of 100 inmates and their families that every person is marked and bruised by life, but Jesus washes away our sins and invites us to live a full life. 

Finally, the close of Sept. 27 — after Francis celebrated Mass for the WMF — marked the end of the pope's trip to the United States. He thanked Archbishop Charles Chaput of Philadelphia as well as the civil authorities, donors, volunteers, and organizers that made the gathering possible. It was thought to have been the largest gathering ever held in Philadelphia. 

Reflecting on the trip, the Holy Father said it was "particularly moving for me to canonize St. Junípero Serra, who reminds us all of our call to be missionary disciples."

He added that he was touched "to stand with my brothers and sisters of other religions at Ground Zero, that place which speaks so powerfully of the mystery of evil. Yet we know with certainty that evil never has the last word, and that, in God's merciful plan, love and peace triumph over all."

Furthermore, he promised his prayers for the U.S. people, saying: "This land has been blessed with tremendous gifts and opportunities. I pray that you may all be good and generous stewards of the human and material resources entrusted to you."

"I thank the Lord that I was able to witness the faith of God's people in this country, as manifested in our moments of prayer together and evidenced in so many works of charity."

Concluding, he asked those present: "Do not let your enthusiasm for Jesus, his Church, our families, and the broader family of society run dry."

"May our days together bear fruit that will last, generosity and care for others that will endure!" he said. "Just as we have received so much from God — gifts freely given us, and not of our own making — so let us freely give to others in return."

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Vatican City, Apr 22, 2025 / 07:32 am (CNA).

Pope Francis passed away at 7:35 a.m. local time on Easter Monday, April 21, at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta, as confirmed by the Holy See Press Office. The 88-year-old pontiff led the Catholic Church for a little more than 12 years.

Follow here for live updates of the latest news and information on the papal transition:

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Vatican City, Apr 21, 2025 / 17:28 pm (CNA).

Following the death of Pope Francis, an Irish-American cardinal is playing a leading role in overseeing Vatican affairs until the election of a new pope. 

Cardinal Kevin Farrell is a key figure in the papal succession because of his appointment in 2019 as the camerlengo of the apostolic chamber. 

The responsibilities of the camerlengo, or chamberlain, include ascertaining the pope's death, performing some of the rites connected to a papal funeral, overseeing the preparations for a conclave, and managing the administration of the Holy See until the election of the next pope. 

Farrell's nomination as camerlengo was one of several marks of the deep trust Pope Francis placed in the Dublin-born cleric.

In 2016, the pope named Farrell prefect of the Dicastery for the Laity, the Family, and Life, which replaced the Pontifical Council for the Laity and the Pontifical Council for the Family. He gave him the cardinal's red hat months later. 

As prefect, Farrell oversaw the planning of the World Meeting of Families in Dublin in 2018 and in Rome in 2022. He also oversaw World Youth Day in Panama in 2019 and in Portugal in 2023. 

In 2020, Pope Francis put the cardinal in charge of a committee monitoring internal Vatican financial decisions that fell outside other accountability norms, making him uniquely informed about Vatican finances among the hierarchy.

In 2022, the pope also appointed Farrell chairman of a new commission to oversee investments.

At the start of 2024, the cardinal added another position to his list of responsibilities: president of the court of cassation — the Vatican's so-called "supreme court" — in another papal nomination.  

In his most recent sign of trust in Farrell, Pope Francis also put the cardinal in charge of the reform of the Vatican's gravely unbalanced pension fund, naming him "sole administrator," at a critical juncture. 

At the death of the pope, Farrell ceased each of these roles — except for camerlengo. 

Who is Cardinal Kevin J. Farrell?

Kevin Joseph Farrell was born in Ireland on Sept. 2, 1947. He entered the Congregation of the Legionaries of Christ in 1966 and was ordained to the priesthood on Dec. 24, 1978. Farrell studied at the University of Salamanca in Spain and the Pontifical Gregorian University and Pontifical University of St. Thomas in Rome.  

He served as chaplain of the Legion of Christ's apostolic movement Regnum Christi at the University of Monterrey in Mexico. He later denied having prior knowledge of sexual abuse on the part of the Legion of Christ's founder, Marcial Maciel. 

After leaving the Legionaries, Farrell was incardinated in the Archdiocese of Washington in 1984, serving in roles including director of the Spanish Catholic Center before becoming the archdiocese's finance officer in 1989. 

In 2002, he was named an auxiliary bishop of Washington, serving as moderator of the curia and vicar general, a chief advisory role, to then-Cardinal Theodore McCarrick. 

Farrell lived together with McCarrick in a renovated parish building in Washington's Kalorama neighborhood for six years. He later denied having any knowledge of accusations of sexual abuse against McCarrick, who was dismissed from the clerical state in 2019. 

Farrell caused controversy in 2018 after he suggested in an interview with an Irish Catholic magazine that priests lacked the necessary experience to provide adequate marriage preparation to engaged couples. 

The comment echoed a statement of his from 2017 that priests have "no credibility when it comes to living the reality of marriage." 

The cardinal was a prominent defender of Pope Francis' controversial 2016 apostolic exhortation on love in the family, Amoris Laetitia. 

"There is nothing in Amoris Laetitia that is contrary to the Gospel," he said in 2019. "What does Francis do? He goes to the Gospel. Look at every chapter, it's straight out of one of the Gospels or the letters of St. Paul." 

As prefect of the Dicastery for the Laity, the Family, and Life, Farrell helped coordinate the Vatican's initiatives for the Amoris Laetitia Family Year, marking the fifth anniversary of the text's publication.  

Role of the camerlengo

The camerlengo is one of only a few major officials of the Roman Curia who does not lose his office while the papacy is vacant. The camerlengo, whose role is regulated by the 1996 document Universi Dominici Gregis and the 2022 apostolic constitution Praedicate Evangelium, administers Church finances and property during the interregnum. 

Paragraph 17 of Universi Dominici Gregis says that "the camerlengo of Holy Roman Church must officially ascertain the pope's death" and "must also place seals on the pope's study and bedroom," and later "the entire papal apartment." 

The camerlengo is also responsible for notifying the cardinal vicar for Rome of the pope's death. The cardinal vicar then notifies the people of Rome by special announcement. The camerlengo takes possession of the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican and the palaces of the Lateran and of Castel Gandolfo and manages their administration. As Pope Francis resided in the Casa Santa Marta in Vatican City and not the Apostolic Palace, the camerlengo will also be required to take possession and seal those quarters as well for the duration of the sede vacante. 

Only the pope may choose the cardinal to fill the position of camerlengo, though he may also leave it vacant, in which case, the College of Cardinals would hold an election to fill the office at the start of a sede vacante.

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