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Swiss Guards accompany the pallbearers with the wooden coffin of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square on April 23, 2025, during the translatio — the solemn transfer of the pope's body for public viewing ahead of Saturday's funeral Mass. Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA

Pope Francis' Coffin Arrives at St. Peter's Basilica for Public Viewing: Latest Updates

Apr 23, 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. Follow here for live updates of the latest news and information on the papal transition:

Pope Francis prays during Mass on the solemnity of the Epiphany on Jan. 6, 2025, in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican.

Catholic Bishops in Africa Direct Prayerful Solidarity with Universal Church for Pope Francis’ Soul

Apr 23, 2025

Bishops across Africa have issued directives in their respective Dioceses, encouraging special prayers for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis who passed on Easter Monday, April 21 at his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta.

Entertainment Activities Planned in Zambian Catholic Archdiocese Suspended as World Mourns Pope Francis’ Passing On

Apr 23, 2025

The Catholic Archdiocese of Ndola in Zambia has declared a period of mourning following the passing on of Pope Francis, and suspended major activities it had lined up before the Easter Monday news was made public.

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. 

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.

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.

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. 

Terrorism, Bloodshed, Banditry Making “God weep for Nigeria”: Catholic Archbishop

Apr 18, 2025

The vices taking place in the West African nation of Nigeria have upset God to the extent that He is “weeping” for the country, Archbishop Ignatius Ayau Kaigama of the country’s Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja has said. 

At Chrism Mass, Catholic Priests Ministering in Mozambique’s Conflict-ridden Region Urged to “remain steadfast”

Apr 18, 2025

Catholic Priests ministering in Mozambique’s conflict-ridden region of Cabo Delgado have been urged to be unwavering in the challenging mission.

Catholic Priests in Bissau-Guinean Diocese Urged to Celebrate Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year as “missionaries of hope”

Apr 18, 2025

The Diocesan Administrator of the Catholic Diocese of Bafatá in Guinea-Bissau has called upon Catholic Priests in the Bissau-Guinean Diocese to celebrate the ongoing Catholic Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year as “missionaries of hope”.

Bishop Firmino David of the Catholic Diocese of Sumbe in Angola

At Chrism Mass, Catholic Bishop in Angola Urges Priests to Commit to “enthusiastically proclaim newness of the Gospel”

Apr 18, 2025

The commitment of Priests to communicate the Good News of the Gospel with enthusiasm is essentially important, Bishop Firmino David of the Catholic Diocese of Sumbe in Angola has said. 

Catholic Archbishop in Malawi Urges Priests to Celebrate Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year as “ambassadors of hope”

Apr 17, 2025

Catholic Priests are expected to participate in the ongoing Catholic Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year as “ambassadors of hope”, Archbishop Thomas Luke Msusa of Malawi’s Catholic Archdiocese of  Blantyre has said.

Over 50 Killed in Latest Attack in Nigeria’s Plateau State, Catholic Bishop Decries “tranquilizing drug of complacency”

Apr 17, 2025

The people of God in Nigeria seem to have consumed a “tranquilizer” that is behind their silence amid deadly attacks, Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah of the country’s Catholic Diocese of Sokoto has said.