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The pope’s burial site, at his request, is the Basilica of St. Mary Major, one of the four papal basilicas in Rome. He joins seven other popes buried there.
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:
The College of Cardinals saw a significant increase in attendance at Wednesday's General Congregation, with 103 cardinals now present in Rome — nearly double the approximately 60 who participated in Tuesday's initial gathering.
In accordance with his personal wishes, Francis will not be buried in the Vatican grottoes but instead at the Basilica of St. Mary Major.
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.
The pope’s traditional blessing, “urbi et orbi,” was read by Archbishop Diego Ravelli, but Pope Francis later toured St. Peter's Square in the popemobile.
“We must look for him without ceasing,” the pope’s prepared text emphasized. “Because if he has risen from the dead, then he is present everywhere”
Father Roberto Pasolini, OFM Cap, in his homily emphasized the importance of self-gift over self-reliance and on surrender of one’s life and suffering to God.
On Holy Thursday, more than 1,880 priests, bishops, and cardinals renewed the promises made at their ordinations during the chrism Mass inside St. Peter’s Basilica.
Marking another in a series of recent surprise public appearances, Pope Francis on Sunday briefly greeted thousands of pilgrims gathered in St. Peter's Square to celebrate Palm Sunday.
The moment marked his first public engagement in weeks.
Pope Francis is the 265th successor of St. Peter. Here is a timeline of key events during his papacy.
The 88-year-old pontiff thanked the pro-life pilgrims on their organization’s 50th anniversary, praising their concrete support for mothers experiencing difficult pregnancies.
The Holy Father’s voice was hoarse, and he was noticeably out of breath in the brief audio message, which the Holy See Press Office said was recorded today.
“Made of ashes and earth, we experience fragility through illness, poverty, and the hardships that can suddenly befall us and our families,” the pope said.
Recovery for the 88-year-old Holy Father “will certainly not be imminent,” Vatican officials cautioned, indicating a potentially extended hospital stay.
Vatican sources reported that the 88-year-old pontiff met Sunday morning with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican secretary of state, and Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra.
“The Holy Father's clinical condition over the past 24 hours has shown further slight improvement,” the Holy See Press Office stated.
In his second catechesis since being admitted into Rome’s Gemelli Hospital nearly two weeks ago, the Holy Father reflected on the presentation of Jesus in the Temple.
The Vatican announced on Tuesday that Francis had appointed Archbishop Emilio Nappa and layman Giuseppe Puglisi-Alibrandi to serve as joint secretaries-general.