Prince of Peace Parish

Fr. Arturo Sosa, Superior General of the Society of Jesus, recalls the life and legacy of Pope Francis, recalling his brother Jesuit’s dedication to prayer and dialogue.

Read all

 

The parish priest of the Holy Family Church in Gaza City, details to Vatican News Pope Francis’ the final gesture of closeness toward the Christian community sheltered in the compound two days before his death, and recalls his incessant calls for peace in the Holy Land.

Read all

 

Irish writer Colum McCann reflects on his encounters with Pope Francis.

Read all

 

The US-based Jewish writer Jonathan Safran Foer reflects on the legacy of Pope Francis, who "reminded us of what we continually forget: goodness is not an idea but a practice."

Read all

 

In an interview with Vatican News, Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz, the former President of the US Bishops' Conference who accompanied the late Pope on his Apostolic Visit to the United States in 2015, says Americans "were yearning" for Pope Francis' message of mercy.

Read all

 

Pope Francis’ tomb in the Basilica of St. Mary Major has been made with materials from the Italian region of Liguria. It is a simple tomb bearing only the inscription “Franciscus” and a reproduction of the late Pope’s pectoral cross.

Read all

 

Upon hearing about the death of Pope Francis, parishioners at the Cathedral of Beira in Mozambique gathered in the church to celebrate a Mass in honour of the Pontiff.

Read all

 

CNA Newsroom, Apr 24, 2025 / 02:04 am (CNA).

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.

The cardinals began their second meeting with prayers for Pope Francis before making several key decisions regarding the sede vacante period, including finalizing the schedule for the Novendiales — the nine-day mourning period that begins with Saturday’s requiem Mass.

According to the Office for Papal Liturgical Celebrations, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals, will preside at the funeral Mass for Pope Francis on Saturday, April 26, at 10 a.m. Rome time.

The congregation also determined which cardinals will celebrate each of the subsequent Novendiales Masses through May 4. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, will preside at Sunday’s Mass, which begins at 10:30 a.m., while the remaining Masses will be celebrated at 5 p.m. each day.

While all 252 cardinals may participate in the general congregations regardless of age, only the 135 cardinals under 80 years old will be eligible to vote in the upcoming conclave. This number exceeds the traditional limit of 120 voting cardinals — a restriction that Pope Francis chose to waive during his pontificate.

The third general congregation is scheduled for Thursday at 9 a.m. Rome time as more cardinals continue to arrive in the Eternal City.

Meanwhile, the faithful continue to file through St. Peter’s Basilica to pay their final respects to Pope Francis. Vatican officials report that approximately 20,000 people had entered the basilica by 7:30 p.m. Wednesday evening, though this figure appears conservative given wait times of up to five hours and the steady movement of the queue.

The Holy See Press Office also announced that 4,000 journalists have already received Vatican accreditation to cover Pope Francis’ funeral and the subsequent conclave.

This story was first published by CNA Deutsch, CNA’s German-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.

The 113 Cardinals present in Rome hold their third General Congregation on Thursday morning, and announce who will deliver the two pre-conclave meditations.

Read all

 

Pope Francis’ coffin will be sealed during a liturgical rite held in St. Peter’s Basilica on Friday, April 25, at 8:00 PM.

Read all