WEATHER ALERT
Catholics remember Pope Francis as a friend of Africa, with some setting theology aside
Read full article: Catholics remember Pope Francis as a friend of Africa, with some setting theology asidePope Francis visited a record 10 African countries throughout his pontificate, often venturing to areas ravaged by war, poverty or natural disaster.
A deleted condolence after pope’s death revealed tension between Israel and the Vatican
Read full article: A deleted condolence after pope’s death revealed tension between Israel and the VaticanHours after Israel's Foreign Ministry posted a condolence for the passing for Pope Francis, it was deleted without explanation.
Pope Francis bestowed a special nickname on AP's Vatican reporter for her often-tough questions
Read full article: Pope Francis bestowed a special nickname on AP's Vatican reporter for her often-tough questionsAssociated Press reporter Nicole Winfield, who covered Pope Francis at the Vatican during his entire pontificate, earned the nickname “la prima della classe” -- or “the first in class” -- from him in 2018.
Trump and Zelenskyy among dignitaries converging on Rome for funeral of Pope Francis
Read full article: Trump and Zelenskyy among dignitaries converging on Rome for funeral of Pope FrancisHeads of state and royalty will begin converging on Rome for Pope Francis’ funeral in the Vatican’s St. Peter’s Square, but the group of poor people who will meet his casket in a small crosstown basilica are more in keeping with Francis’ humble persona and disdain for pomp.
Donald Trump's trip to Pope Francis' funeral puts a sharper focus on their clashes over the years
Read full article: Donald Trump's trip to Pope Francis' funeral puts a sharper focus on their clashes over the yearsThe clash in style between Donald Trump and Pope Francis and their positions on migration, the environment and poverty will come into sharper focus as the president travels to Rome for Francis’ funeral.
Hong Kong allows outspoken Cardinal Joseph Zen to attend Pope Francis' funeral
Read full article: Hong Kong allows outspoken Cardinal Joseph Zen to attend Pope Francis' funeralHong Kong’s outspoken Roman Catholic Cardinal Joseph Zen has been allowed to leave the southern Chinese city to attend Pope Francis’ funeral in Vatican City.
Pope Francis sought to make LGBTQ+ people more welcome, but church doctrine didn't change much
Read full article: Pope Francis sought to make LGBTQ+ people more welcome, but church doctrine didn't change muchThe papacy of Pope Francis ended with the same core doctrine for LGBTQ+ people that he had inherited.
Tens of thousands file into St. Peter's Basilica to pay final respects to Pope Francis
Read full article: Tens of thousands file into St. Peter's Basilica to pay final respects to Pope FrancisAfter so many people lined up to see Pope Francis lying in state at St. Peter’s Basilica that the Vatican kept the doors open overnight, the lines of mourners waiting to pay their last respects have continued to file past his coffin.
Pope Francis' beloved soccer team in Buenos Aires mourns its most famous fan
Read full article: Pope Francis' beloved soccer team in Buenos Aires mourns its most famous fanPope Francis’ beloved soccer club in his native Buenos Aires, San Lorenzo, has celebrated a Mass dedicated to its most famous fan two days after his death, with Argentina still awash in emotional tributes to the first Latin American pontiff.
The Latest: Pope Francis lies in state at St. Peter's Basilica
Read full article: The Latest: Pope Francis lies in state at St. Peter's BasilicaThe body of Pope Francis was moved Wednesday morning to St. Peter’s Basilica for three days of public mourning for an Argentine pontiff remembered for his humble style, concern for the poor and insistent prayers for peace.
Catholic faithful pay their final respects to Pope Francis as public viewing begins
Read full article: Catholic faithful pay their final respects to Pope Francis as public viewing beginsThousands of people have begun filing through St. Peter’s Basilica to pay their final respects to Pope Francis at the start of three days of public viewing ahead of his funeral.
Italy's Olympic committee calls for sports events to be suspended on day of Pope Francis' funeral
Read full article: Italy's Olympic committee calls for sports events to be suspended on day of Pope Francis' funeralThe Italian national Olympic committee has asked for sports events to be suspended on Saturday, the day of Pope Francis’ funeral.
For Iraqi Christians, Pope Francis' visit was a rare moment of hope
Read full article: For Iraqi Christians, Pope Francis' visit was a rare moment of hopeThe death of Pope Francis has sent shockwaves through Iraq’s Christian community, where his presence once brought hope after one of the darkest chapters in the country’s recent history.
Pope Francis worried about greeting crowd in St. Peter's Square but was thankful he did, report says
Read full article: Pope Francis worried about greeting crowd in St. Peter's Square but was thankful he did, report saysVatican News has reported that Pope Francis was thankful that he was able to greet throngs of people in St. Peter’s Square on Easter, a day before he died.
The Latest: Pope Francis lies in state ahead of his funeral, set for Saturday
Read full article: The Latest: Pope Francis lies in state ahead of his funeral, set for SaturdayPope Francis’ funeral has been set for Saturday at 10 a.m. in St. Peter’s Square, and a viewing of his body will begin on Wednesday in St. Peter’s Basilica, days after the popular pontiff died at age 88.
From 'conclave' to 'white smoke,' a glossary of terms used in a papal transition
Read full article: From 'conclave' to 'white smoke,' a glossary of terms used in a papal transitionA change in popes is a complicated process, with centuries-old rituals involving the transition in leadership for both the spiritual head of the global Catholic Church and the Vatican’s head of state.
An Irish-born American cardinal is entrusted as the 'camerlengo,' running the Holy See between popes
Read full article: An Irish-born American cardinal is entrusted as the 'camerlengo,' running the Holy See between popesAn Irish-born American cardinal was entrusted by Pope Francis to be the camerlengo, the Vatican official who runs the Holy See after the death of one pontiff and before the election of another.
Australians start voting in general elections as pope's death overshadows campaigning
Read full article: Australians start voting in general elections as pope's death overshadows campaigningAustralians have begun voting at general elections as the death of Pope Francis overshadows campaigning.
Texas ties: Former Dallas bishop to oversee conclave after Pope Francis’ death
Read full article: Texas ties: Former Dallas bishop to oversee conclave after Pope Francis’ deathFollowing the death of Pope Francis — the first Latin American pontiff who charmed the world with his humble and pastoral style — former Dallas Bishop Cardinal Kevin Farrell will serve as interim overseer of the Vatican and preside over the conclave until a new pope is elected
Pope Francis was a source of controversy and spiritual guidance in his Argentine homeland
Read full article: Pope Francis was a source of controversy and spiritual guidance in his Argentine homelandThe faithful in Pope Francis’ hometown lit candles in the church where he found God as a teenager.
Pope's frequent calls to a Catholic church made him a revered figure in war-battered Gaza
Read full article: Pope's frequent calls to a Catholic church made him a revered figure in war-battered GazaIn the last 18 months of his life, Pope Francis had a frequent ritual: He would call the lone Catholic church in the Gaza Strip to see how people huddled inside were coping with a devastating war.
BLOG: Inside KPRC 2’s Bill Barajas’ visits to the Vatican, seeing Pope Francis
Read full article: BLOG: Inside KPRC 2’s Bill Barajas’ visits to the Vatican, seeing Pope FrancisAs the world continues to mourn Pope Francis’ loss, KPRC 2’s Bill Barajas shared his own story about how he was fortunate to visit Vatican City last year. Of course, this wasn’t his first visit to Vatican City.
One day before Pope Francis’ death, US Vice President Vance received an audience on Easter Sunday
Read full article: One day before Pope Francis’ death, US Vice President Vance received an audience on Easter SundayOne of Pope Francis’ final encounters before his death was with U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who visited the Vatican over the weekend.
The canonization of the first millennial saint, Carlo Acutis, is postponed after the pope's death
Read full article: The canonization of the first millennial saint, Carlo Acutis, is postponed after the pope's deathThe Vatican says the canonization of the first millennial saint, Carlo Acutis, has been postponed due to the death of Pope Francis.
Sports world mourns soccer-loving Pope Francis with games in Italy and Argentina postponed
Read full article: Sports world mourns soccer-loving Pope Francis with games in Italy and Argentina postponedTop-flight soccer matches in Italy and Argentina have been postponed after the death of Pope Francis.
The rites and rituals following the death of a pope, his funeral and burial, explained
Read full article: The rites and rituals following the death of a pope, his funeral and burial, explainedThe death of a pope sets in motion a series of carefully orchestrated rites and rituals well before the conclave to elect his successor begins.
Pope Francis reached out to migrants and the LGBTQ+ community, but also drew unusual opposition
Read full article: Pope Francis reached out to migrants and the LGBTQ+ community, but also drew unusual oppositionPope Francis was the first pope from the Americas, the first Jesuit pontiff and the first to take the name of Francis, after St. Francis of Assisi.
Francis changed church policy on the death penalty and nuclear weapons but upheld it on abortion
Read full article: Francis changed church policy on the death penalty and nuclear weapons but upheld it on abortionPope Francis changed the Catholic Church’s teaching in areas such as the death penalty and nuclear weapons.
Vance meets Pope Francis on Easter Sunday after tangle over migration, gets chocolate eggs for kids
Read full article: Vance meets Pope Francis on Easter Sunday after tangle over migration, gets chocolate eggs for kidsU.S. Vice President JD Vance has met briefly with Pope Francis on Easter Sunday as the pontiff recovers from pneumonia.
Pope Francis emerges from convalescence on Easter, delights crowd with popemobile tour
Read full article: Pope Francis emerges from convalescence on Easter, delights crowd with popemobile tourPope Francis has emerged from his convalescence on Easter Sunday to bless people in St. Peter’s Square and treat them to a surprise popemobile romp through the square.
Vatican notes 'exchange of opinions' over migrants, prisoners in meeting with Vance
Read full article: Vatican notes 'exchange of opinions' over migrants, prisoners in meeting with VanceU.S. Vice President JD Vance has met with the Vatican’s No. 2 official as they the sides spar over the U.S. crackdown on migrants.
Four centuries later, Easter's date remains divisive. Some church leaders want that to change
Read full article: Four centuries later, Easter's date remains divisive. Some church leaders want that to changeEastern and Western churches will celebrate Easter on the same day this year, while marking 1,700 years since the Council of Nicaea unified Christian doctrine.
A recovering Pope Francis visits Rome prison to keep annual Holy Week appointment
Read full article: A recovering Pope Francis visits Rome prison to keep annual Holy Week appointmentPope Francis has visited Rome’s main prison and kept an Easter season appointment to spend Holy Thursday among the least fortunate.
Convalescing Pope Francis opens Holy Week with in-person greeting in St. Peter's Square
Read full article: Convalescing Pope Francis opens Holy Week with in-person greeting in St. Peter's SquareA convalescing Pope Francis has greeted the crowd in St_ Peter’s Square on Palm Sunday, wishing more than 20,000 faithful a “Happy Palm Sunday, Happy Holy Week."
Pope Francis meets privately with King Charles and Queen Camilla during his Vatican convalescence
Read full article: Pope Francis meets privately with King Charles and Queen Camilla during his Vatican convalescencePope Francis met privately with King Charles III and Queen Camilla at the Vatican during the royal couple’s four-day state visit to Italy and on the occasion of their 20th wedding anniversary.
Nicaragua’s crackdown on the Catholic Church is worsening, exiles and human rights advocates say
Read full article: Nicaragua’s crackdown on the Catholic Church is worsening, exiles and human rights advocates sayPreparations for widely popular Lent and Holy Week processions are underway across Latin America – but not in Nicaragua.
Trump's nominee for ambassador to the Vatican defends recent cuts to US foreign aid
Read full article: Trump's nominee for ambassador to the Vatican defends recent cuts to US foreign aidPresident Donald Trump’s nominee for ambassador to the Vatican has defended many of the administration’s foreign-aid cuts at a Senate hearing, even while saying Catholic charitable groups are well-equipped to deliver such aid efficiently.
King Charles III arrives in Rome on state visit, first overseas trip since brief hospitalization
Read full article: King Charles III arrives in Rome on state visit, first overseas trip since brief hospitalizationKing Charles III has arrived in Rome for a state visit to Italy, his first overseas trip since being briefly hospitalized for side effects of cancer treatment.
Pope makes surprise appearance at St. Peter’s Square, 2 weeks after leaving hospital
Read full article: Pope makes surprise appearance at St. Peter’s Square, 2 weeks after leaving hospitalPope Francis has made a surprise entrance to St. Peter’s Square during a special Jubilee Mass for the sick and medical workers in his first public appearance at the Vatican since leaving the hospital.
Pope's work during convalescence includes clearing path for saints from Venezuela, Papua New Guinea
Read full article: Pope's work during convalescence includes clearing path for saints from Venezuela, Papua New GuineaThe Vatican says Pope Francis spends part of his days at his desk working and concelebrates Mass daily in his private chapel.
Pope's willingness to show his frailty provides an example to young and old alike in aging world
Read full article: Pope's willingness to show his frailty provides an example to young and old alike in aging worldEven during his five weeks in the hospital battling pneumonia that nearly killed him, Pope Francis has never been shy about showing weakness.
Doctor cites the pope's 'surprising improvement' after surviving life-threatening crises
Read full article: Doctor cites the pope's 'surprising improvement' after surviving life-threatening crisesThe pope's doctor says Francis has shown ‘’a truly surprising improvement’’ since returning to the Vatican to convalesce after surviving a life-threatening bout with double-pneumonia.
What to know about Carlo Acutis, the Catholic Church’s new millennial saint
Read full article: What to know about Carlo Acutis, the Catholic Church’s new millennial saintCarlo Acutis will become the Catholic Church’s first millennial saint at a solemn canonization Mass on April 27 in St. Peter’s Square.
Perpetual adoration is a growing Catholic trend. A Holy Year event is scheduled for the weekend
Read full article: Perpetual adoration is a growing Catholic trend. A Holy Year event is scheduled for the weekendGrowing numbers of Catholics are taking part in Eucharistic adoration – which this year’s Jubilee will mark this weekend with “24 hours for the Lord.”.
Pope Francis' doctors considered stopping treatment to 'let him go' after serious breathing crisis
Read full article: Pope Francis' doctors considered stopping treatment to 'let him go' after serious breathing crisisPope Francis’ medical team briefly considered suspending treatment after a Feb. 28 breathing crisis but instead decided on an aggressive treatment course.
Pope Francis is back home after a 5-week hospital stay for life-threatening double pneumonia
Read full article: Pope Francis is back home after a 5-week hospital stay for life-threatening double pneumoniaA weak and frail Pope Francis has returned home to the Vatican from the hospital after a five-week, life-threatening bout of pneumonia.
Timeline of Pope Francis' longest hospital stay as he returns home to Vatican
Read full article: Timeline of Pope Francis' longest hospital stay as he returns home to VaticanPope Francis has returned home to the Vatican after he was hospitalized for five weeks with a life-threatening bout of pneumonia.
Pope Francis to be released from hospital Sunday after 5 weeks fighting life-threatening pneumonia
Read full article: Pope Francis to be released from hospital Sunday after 5 weeks fighting life-threatening pneumoniaPope Francis will be released from the hospital on Sunday, his doctors have said, after 38 days battling a life-threatening case of pneumonia in both lungs.
A weak Pope Francis is wielding power and rewriting the narrative of how popes exercise authority
Read full article: A weak Pope Francis is wielding power and rewriting the narrative of how popes exercise authorityOver 12 years, Francis has sought to normalize the papacy with his informal style and disdain for pomp while still wielding the awesome power of the papacy.
Pope Francis advisers say he'll recover from pneumonia and a 'new stage' is opening for him
Read full article: Pope Francis advisers say he'll recover from pneumonia and a 'new stage' is opening for himTwo of Pope Francis’ closest advisers are predicting that he will recover from pneumonia and that a “new stage” in his pontificate will open after he is released.
Vatican says Pope Francis no longer needs mechanical help to breathe as his health improves
Read full article: Vatican says Pope Francis no longer needs mechanical help to breathe as his health improvesPope Francis’s condition has continued to improve and he no longer needs to use noninvasive mechanical ventilation to help him breathe at night.
Italian postal service sees surge in mail for Pope Francis, much sent from children
Read full article: Italian postal service sees surge in mail for Pope Francis, much sent from childrenThe Italian postal service has seen a huge increase in mail addressed to Pope Francis since his Feb. 14 hospitalization.
Pope pens letter to the editor while in hospital as Buckingham Palace announces King Charles' visit
Read full article: Pope pens letter to the editor while in hospital as Buckingham Palace announces King Charles' visitPope Francis says in a letter to an Italian newspaper that his lengthy illness has made clearer to him the absurdity of war and the power of words to shape the truth and facts.
King Charles III plans to meet Pope Francis during Vatican state visit in April
Read full article: King Charles III plans to meet Pope Francis during Vatican state visit in AprilKing Charles III is scheduled to have an audience with Pope Francis during a state visit next month to the Vatican, suggesting the Holy See is optimistic the pontiff will be back at work by then.
Pope registers new slight improvements in pneumonia fight as Vatican gives details on hospital photo
Read full article: Pope registers new slight improvements in pneumonia fight as Vatican gives details on hospital photoPope Francis is registering new slight improvements in his monthlong treatment for double pneumonia.
Vatican releases first photograph of the pope in a month as he celebrates Mass in hospital chapel
Read full article: Vatican releases first photograph of the pope in a month as he celebrates Mass in hospital chapelThe Vatican has released the first photograph of the pope in more than a month, showing Pope Francis wearing a purple Lenten liturgical vestments sitting in a wheelchair in front of an altar in the hospital chapel.
Pope works on signature reform from hospital as Vatican cuts back on updates on medical progress
Read full article: Pope works on signature reform from hospital as Vatican cuts back on updates on medical progressPope Francis has entered the fifth week of hospital treatment for double pneumonia very much looking ahead as he worked on a signature priority of his papacy.
Timeline of Pope Francis' hospitalization for pneumonia at the 1-month mark
Read full article: Timeline of Pope Francis' hospitalization for pneumonia at the 1-month markPope Francis was hospitalized on Feb. 14, after suffering a bout of bronchitis for weeks and after increasingly finding it hard to speak publicly.
Pope receives cake and glad tidings on the 12th anniversary of his papacy, marked in the hospital
Read full article: Pope receives cake and glad tidings on the 12th anniversary of his papacy, marked in the hospitalPope Francis marked the 12th anniversary of his pontificate in the hospital as he received increasingly positive medical news on his recovery and hundreds of messages wishing him well.
Pope Francis follows Vatican spiritual retreat as doctors say he's no longer in imminent danger
Read full article: Pope Francis follows Vatican spiritual retreat as doctors say he's no longer in imminent dangerPope Francis has participated remotely in the Vatican’s spiritual retreat after getting good news from his doctors.
Doctors declare Pope Francis no longer in imminent danger due to pneumonia, but remains hospitalized
Read full article: Doctors declare Pope Francis no longer in imminent danger due to pneumonia, but remains hospitalizedDoctors said Pope Francis is no longer in imminent danger of death as a result of pneumonia but have decided to keep him hospitalized for several more days to receive treatment.
US orders nonemergency government staff to leave South Sudan as tension grows over fighting
Read full article: US orders nonemergency government staff to leave South Sudan as tension grows over fightingThe U.S. State Department has ordered nonemergency government personnel to leave South Sudan’s capital as tension escalates because of fighting in the north.
Pope thanks volunteers for 'miracle of tenderness' as another Holy Year event passes without him
Read full article: Pope thanks volunteers for 'miracle of tenderness' as another Holy Year event passes without himPope Francis has issued a message thanking volunteers for the “miracle of tenderness” they offer the sick as he continues his recovery from double pneumonia.
Pope Francis responding well to pneumonia therapy and showing 'gradual, slight improvement'
Read full article: Pope Francis responding well to pneumonia therapy and showing 'gradual, slight improvement'The Vatican says Pope Francis is responding well to therapy for double pneumonia and has shown a “gradual, slight improvement” in recent days.
The Pope has now been in the hospital for 3 weeks battling double pneumonia. How serious is that?
Read full article: The Pope has now been in the hospital for 3 weeks battling double pneumonia. How serious is that?Friday marks three weeks since Pope Francis was hospitalized for bronchitis, which then led to double pneumonia.
A weak Pope Francis thanks people for their prayers 'from the bottom of my heart' in audio message
Read full article: A weak Pope Francis thanks people for their prayers 'from the bottom of my heart' in audio messagePope Francis recorded a pained and labored audio message to thank people for their prayers for his recovery.
Clutched by the global faithful and draped on candles and statues, rosaries abound for Pope Francis
Read full article: Clutched by the global faithful and draped on candles and statues, rosaries abound for Pope FrancisAs Pope Francis remains hospitalized in Rome, thousands of faithful from around the world have been gathering by St. Peter’s and by the hospital to pray the rosary for him.
The pope has increased his physical therapy and marked the start of Lent in the hospital
Read full article: The pope has increased his physical therapy and marked the start of Lent in the hospitalThe Vatican says that Pope Francis has increased his physical activity, called the Catholic parish priest in Gaza and marked the start of Lent by receiving ashes on his forehead.
Who’s St. Francis, whose love for the poor, creation, and peace inspires Pope Francis?
Read full article: Who’s St. Francis, whose love for the poor, creation, and peace inspires Pope Francis?St. Francis is the medieval Catholic saint whose spirituality focused on loving the poor, creation, and peace.
Pope stable with no new respiratory crises but will sleep with ventilation mask, Vatican says
Read full article: Pope stable with no new respiratory crises but will sleep with ventilation mask, Vatican saysThe Vatican says Pope Francis is in stable condition and breathing with just the help of supplemental oxygen after respiratory crises a day earlier.
Syrian refugee family that Pope Francis brought to Rome prays for him as they build new life
Read full article: Syrian refugee family that Pope Francis brought to Rome prays for him as they build new lifeNearly a decade after Pope Francis plucked them from a refugee camp in Greece, a Syrian couple and their child have carved out a quiet life in suburban Rome.
Pope Francis suffers new breathing crises, is back on noninvasive ventilation, Vatican says
Read full article: Pope Francis suffers new breathing crises, is back on noninvasive ventilation, Vatican saysThe Vatican says that Pope Francis has suffered two new episodes of acute respiratory crises and has been put back on noninvasive mechanical ventilation.
Francis off mechanical ventilation entirely, signaling he's overcome risks from respiratory crisis
Read full article: Francis off mechanical ventilation entirely, signaling he's overcome risks from respiratory crisisThe Vatican says Pope Francis has remained in stable condition and didn’t need any mechanical ventilation.