Advertisement

Africa

Pope Francis prays at the “Garden of Angels” section of the Laurentino Cemetery in Rome on All Souls’ Day, Nov. 2, 2024. / Credit: Vatican Media

"Death is not the end of everything": Vatican Releases Pope Francis' Reflections on Aging, Dying

Apr 22, 2025

“We must not be afraid of old age, we must not fear embracing becoming old,” wrote Francis in the preface to a book in Italian by Cardinal Angelo Scola.

The body of Pope Francis lies in state at the Vatican's Domus Sanctae Marthae chapel, surrounded by Swiss Guards, cardinals, and Vatican officials paying their respects before his transfer to St. Peter's Basilica for public veneration, Monday, April 21, 2025. | Credit: Vatican Media

Vatican Releases First Photos of Pope Francis After His Death

Apr 22, 2025

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. 

Bouquets of flowers are left by visitors to St. Peter's Square on Easter Monday following the news of the death of Pope Francis, Monday, April 21, 2025. | Credit: Kristina Millare/CNA

Pope Francis Died from Stroke, Coma, and Irreversible Cardiovascular Collapse: Vatican Physician

Apr 21, 2025

The Holy See on Monday evening released the death certificate detailing the cause of death of Pope Francis, who died in his Vatican apartment at 7:35 a.m. in Rome on April 21, the day after Easter.

Pope Francis, “profound source of inspiration for us”: Africa’s Catholic Bishops Mourn, Recall Holy Father’s Legacy

Apr 21, 2025

Catholic Bishops in Africa have expressed sorrow at the passing on of Pope Francis, remembering him as an inspirational leader, whose pontificate of peace and inclusivity was felt by many across the continent, resulting in a positive and memorable impression. 

“A friend of Africa”: Catholic Church Leaders Pay Heartfelt Tributes to Pope Francis, Offer Prayers

Apr 21, 2025

The Church in Africa has been thrown into deep mourning following the passing on of Pope Francis, with Church leaders on the continent describing the late Holy Father as a voice for the voiceless, a tireless advocate for peace and human dignity, and most especially, “a friend of Africa”.

Pope Francis Leaves “unforgettable, impactful legacy of reform”: Catholic Bishops in Lusophone Africa

Apr 21, 2025

Catholic Bishops in Portuguese-speaking Africa (Lusophone Africa) have paid glowing tribute to late Pope Francis, who passed on Easter Monday, April 21, at his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta at the age of 88.

Pope Francis at the Jubilee of the Sick in St. Peter's Square on Sunday, April 6, 2025, wearing nasal cannulas for supplemental oxygen as he continues recovering from bilateral pneumonia. | Credit: Daniel Ibañez/ EWTN News

Here is Pope Francis’ Testament on Place of Burial, Why, Who's to Bear Cost, Final Prayer Intention: Full Text

Apr 21, 2025

The Vatican has released the testament of Pope Francis. The 88-year-old pontiff died on Easter Monday morning, April 21, at his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta, as confirmed by the Holy See Press Office. He led the Catholic Church for just over 12 years. 

Pope Francis dies at 88: The Holy See has confirmed the passing of the first Latin American pontiff. | Credit: EWTN News

BREAKING: Pope Francis Dies at 88, Ending Historic Pontificate Marked by Mercy and Reform

Apr 21, 2025

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. 

EWTN Chairman and CEO Michael P. Warsaw meets with Pope Francis during an audience with participants in the plenary meetings of the Dicastery for Communication, Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2019. | Credit: Vatican Media

EWTN CEO Michael Warsaw: Death of Pope Francis a "moment of personal grief" for Catholics

Apr 21, 2025

EWTN Chairman of the Board and CEO Michael Warsaw on Monday mourned the passing of Pope Francis, calling the pontiff’s death at 88 on Monday a “moment of personal grief for Catholics around the world.”

A reliquary containing relics of Blessed Carlo Acutis at the Church of Sant'Angela Merici in Rome, Oct 11, 2021. | Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA

Vatican Postpones Carlo Acutis Canonization Following Pope Francis’ Death

Apr 21, 2025

The Vatican announced Monday that the canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis has been postponed following the death of Pope Francis.

Pilgrims gather in St. Peter’s Square for Pope Francis’ Angelus reflection on Oct. 6, 2024. | Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Francis Has Died. What Happens Next?

Apr 21, 2025

The death of Pope Francis begins the so-called “sede vacante,” a period when the See of Peter lies vacant. The time of the sede vacante after the pope’s death brings with it a series of symbols, traditions, and protocols that have existed for centuries and express the papacy’s essence. 

Nigeria “gradually becoming a huge national morgue”, Catholic Bishop Laments, Urges President to Renew Nigerians’ Hope

Apr 20, 2025

Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of Nigeria’s Catholic Diocese of Sokoto has decried the many atrocities in the West African nation, which he says is “gradually” turning into a vast “national morgue” owing to the multiple victims of attacks.

Cardinal in CAR “strongly condemns” Military Brutality Against Civilians, Demands Justice for Victims

Apr 20, 2025

The Archbishop of Bangui Archdiocese in the Central African Republic (CAR) has condemned acts of brutality reportedly committed by members of the Central African Armed Forces (FACA) against civilians and called for justice for victims and accountability.

Credit: Caritas Zambia

Caritas Zambia Sets Up Community Child Protection Committees to Address Rise in Child Defilement Cases

Apr 20, 2025

Caritas Zambia has established Community Child Protection Committees (CCPCs) in the Southern African nation to curb the rise in cases of defilement and child abuse in the country. 

Mr. Reagan Muskoka Wafula. Credit: Reagan Wafula

“National disaster”: Catholic Environmentalist on Unregulated Mining in Western Kenya

Apr 20, 2025

A Catholic environmentalist has called on the Kenyan government to declare unregulated mining in the country’s western region a national disaster, citing its widespread negative consequences on the environment and the country’s socio-economic sector.

Bishop Emmanuel Adetoyese Badejo of Nigeria’s Oyo Catholic Diocese. Credit: Oyo Catholic Diocese

Nigeria’s Political Leaders Abetting Insecurity “can only celebrate an empty Easter”: Catholic Bishop

Apr 20, 2025

Political leaders in Nigeria who have resources at their disposal to address security challenges and are not doing so cannot be part of the celebrations around the victory of Jesus Christ over death, Easter, Bishop Emmanuel Adetoyese Badejo of the country’s Oyo Catholic Diocese has said.

Why Turn Easter “into season of sadness?”: South Sudan’s Apostolic Nuncio Urges Christian Politicians to Silence Weapons

Apr 19, 2025

Many Christians in South Sudan will not be able to join their brothers and sisters across the globe in celebrating the joy of the Risen Lord at Easter, the representative of the Holy Father in world’s youngest country has noted with concern. 

At Annual Pilgrimage, Catholic Bishop in Cameroon Encourages Devotion to Blessed Virgin Mary, “bearer of hope”

Apr 19, 2025

At the annual pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady in Doumelong, Bishop Paul Lontsié-Keuné of Cameroon’s Catholic Diocese of Bafoussam has recognized the Blessed Virgin Mary as “a bearer of hope” and encouraged devotion to her. 

Amid Persecution of Christians in Nigeria, Let’s Pray for “conversion of those committed to evil”: Apostolic Nuncio

Apr 19, 2025

The representative of the Holy Father in Nigeria has called upon Christians to respond to persecutions and killings targeting followers of Christ with continued prayer for the conversion of those behind the attacks. 

The custos of the Holy Land, Father Francesco Patton, anoints the statue of Jesus on the Stone of Anointing during the ceremony known as the “funeral procession” on Good Friday night 2024. According to the tradition and the Status Quo, on the evening of Good Friday — both Catholic and Orthodox — the rite of preparing Jesus’ body for burial is reenacted on this stone during the so-called “funeral procession.” / Credit: Marinella Bandini

Amid Ongoing War and Blockades, Holy Land Christians Insist on Celebrating Easter

Apr 19, 2025

This year’s Easter celebrations in the Holy Land are expected to unfold under a complex and emotional landscape as war continues in Gaza.