Given the late Pope Francis’ care and concern for the poor, a representative group of them has been formally invited to welcome his casket to Rome’s Basilica of St. Mary Major for burial.
The Vatican
Pope Francis’ Last Words: Pontiff Thanks Nurse for Taking Him to St. Peter’s Square One Last Time
Pope Francis’ final moments were peaceful, and he managed to give one last farewell to his nurse, Massimiliano Strappetti, before slipping into a coma early April 21, Vatican News reported.
Prayer, Pilgrims Accompany Pope Francis’ Body to St. Peter’s Basilica
Thousands of people had made an early morning pilgrimage to St. Peter’s Square April 23 to witness the transfer and pray for the late pope; they erupted in applause when his body, in an open casket, reached the square and again when it reached the top of the basilica steps.
Lessons of Humility and Compassion: Queens Msgr. Reflects on His Time at the Vatican
Not everyone gets the chance to serve ice cream to the leader of the world’s 1.3 billion Catholics, but Msgr. Cuong Pham did just that, once handing Pope Francis a dish of vanilla ice cream.
Despite Improved Health, Pope Picks Cardinals To Lead Holy Week Liturgies
Pope Francis is going without supplemental oxygen for longer periods and is continuing therapy to recover his voice and to recover his physical strength, the Vatican press office said, but he also is increasing the number of private meetings he is holding with the heads of Vatican offices.
‘Pope of Surprises’ Puts in Unscripted Appearance at Palm Sunday Mass
Pope Francis made another surprise appearance in St. Peter’s Square at the end of Palm Sunday Mass on April 13, starting Holy Week.
Vatican Statistics: Baptisms Down, but First Communions, Confirmations Up
The number of Catholics and permanent deacons in the world rose in 2023, while the number of seminarians, priests, men and women in religious orders, and baptisms all declined, according to Vatican statistics.
Pope’s Doctors Report More Improvement, but No Date for His Release
Pope Francis no longer needs the “noninvasive mechanical ventilation” he has used most nights since experiencing a breathing “crisis” Feb. 28, his doctors reported in a bulletin released by the Vatican press office March 19.
Pope Fights Fake News With Unprecedented Detail About Health Status
An old saying about the Vatican states that “the pope is never sick until he’s dead,” and this position has held true in various cycles of papal health crises throughout recent history, until now, with Pope Francis’ current hospital stay. Throughout his nearly month-long hospital stay, one of the most noteworthy elements of the ordeal has been the unprecedented level of detail provided in his daily medical bulletins.
Pope Out of Danger but To Remain in Hospital
Pope Francis is no longer considered in imminent danger from his lung infection, but he will remain in Rome’s Gemelli hospital for several more days to continue receiving medical treatment, the Vatican said.