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Cardinal Kevin Farrell on May 2, 2017. / Credit: Lucia Ballester/CNAVatican City, Apr 21, 2025 / 17:28 pm (CNA).Following the death of Pope Francis, an Irish-American cardinal is playing a leading role in overseeing Vatican affairs until the election of a new pope. Cardinal Kevin Farrell is a key figure in the papal succession because of his appointment in 2019 as the camerlengo of the apostolic chamber. The responsibilities of the camerlengo, or chamberlain, include ascertaining the pope's death, performing some of the rites connected to a papal funeral, overseeing the preparations for a conclave, and managing the administration of the Holy See until the election of the next pope. Farrell's nomination as camerlengo was one of several marks of the deep trust Pope Francis placed in the Dublin-born cleric.In 2016, the pope named Farrell prefect of the Dicastery for the Laity, the Family, and Life, which replaced the Pontifical Council for the Laity and the Pontific...
Mourners gather in St. Peter's Square after the death of Pope Francis on Monday, April 21, 2025. / Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNAWashington, D.C. Newsroom, Apr 21, 2025 / 14:22 pm (CNA).World leaders from around the globe released statements of mourning and remembrance on Monday in response to the death of Pope Francis, who passed away Monday morning at age 88. Ukrainian president grieves Pope Francis, source of 'spiritual support'"Millions of people around the world are mourning the tragic news of Pope Francis' passing," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote in a post on X on Monday morning."[Francis] knew how to give hope, ease suffering through prayer, and foster unity," Zelenksyy reflected. "He prayed for peace in Ukraine and for Ukrainians. We grieve together with Catholics and all Christians who looked to Pope Francis for spiritual support. Eternal memory!"President of Ireland: 'There was a warmth to Pope Francis'Irish President Michael Higgins on Monday said...
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/CNAVatican City, Apr 21, 2025 / 14:53 pm (CNA).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.After an examination, Vatican physician Dr. Andrea Arcangeli determined the pope died from a stroke, coma, and irreversible cardiovascular collapse, according to the death certificate published just over 12 hours after Francis' death.According to the certificate, compounding factors included Francis' previous episode of acute respiratory failure from bilateral pneumonia, the chronic disease called bronchiectasis (the permanent enlargement of parts of airways of the lungs), hypertension, and type II diabetes.Arcangeli, the director of the Vatican's health an...
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 NewsCNA Newsroom, Apr 21, 2025 / 15:08 pm (CNA).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. Here is the full text of Pope Francis' testament: Miserando atque Eligendo ("With having mercy and choosing him")In the name of the Most Holy Trinity. Amen.As I sense the approaching twilight of my earthly life, and with firm hope in eternal life, I wish to set out my final wishes solely regarding the place of my burial.Throughout my life, and during my ministry as a priest and bishop, I have always entrusted myself to the Mother of Our Lord, th...
Pope Francis' shadow is seen at his general audience at the Vatican, Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2022. / Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNAVatican City, Apr 21, 2025 / 10:19 am (CNA).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. Cardinal Kevin Farrell, camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, officially announced the pope's death in a video message. "At 7:35 this morning, the bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father," Farrell stated.Follow here for live updates of the latest news and world reactions:
Pilgrims gather in St. Peter's Square for Pope Francis' Angelus reflection on Oct. 6, 2024. / Credit: Vatican MediaRome Newsroom, Apr 21, 2025 / 11:11 am (CNA).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.?The principal figure of the sede vacante period is the camerlengo, currently the Irish-born Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who is also current prefect of the Dicastery for the Laity, the Family, and Life and former bishop of Dallas.The pope appoints the camerlengo, and Farrell was chosen in 2019, replacing the French Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran after his death at age 75. The tasks and duties of the camerlengo are regulated by Pope Francis' 2022 apostolic constitution Praedicate Evangelium, which deals with the functions and structure of the R...
Pope Francis hears confessions of teenagers in St. Peter's Square. / L'Osservatore Romano.Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Apr 21, 2025 / 11:41 am (CNA).The Vatican has announced that despite the death of Pope Francis, the Jubilee of Teenagers is still scheduled to take place in Rome beginning this Friday, April 25, through Sunday, April 27. According to a statement from the Dicastery for Evangelization, the event is expected to draw upwards of 80,000 teenagers from all over the world to the Vatican. Several adjustments are being made to the program due to the death of the Holy Father.Among the changes: The previously scheduled April 27 canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis has been postponed. Due to the time of mourning, the musical celebration at Circus Maximus scheduled for April 26 at 5 p.m. has also been canceled.Jubilee of Teenagers programming still scheduled to take place includes the April 25 "Via Lucis" prayer time, the "Dialogues with the City" squares on Saturday...
Pope Francis dies at 88: The Holy See has confirmed the passing of the first Latin American pontiff. / Credit: EWTN NewsVatican City, Apr 21, 2025 / 05:48 am (CNA).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. Cardinal Kevin Farrell, camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, officially announced the pope's death in a video message. "At 7:35 this morning, the bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father," Farrell stated. "His entire life was dedicated to the service of God and his Church. He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially for the poorest and most marginalized." The Vatican has not yet announced details regarding the funeral arrangements for the first Latin American pope in histo...
Pope Francis' shadow is seen at his general audience at the Vatican, Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2022. / Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNAVatican City, Apr 21, 2025 / 06:20 am (CNA).Pope Francis has died at 88. Follow here for the latest live updates:
U.S. Vice-President JD Vance meets Pope Francis on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025 at the Vatican / Screenshot / Vatican MediaCNA Newsroom, Apr 20, 2025 / 07:26 am (CNA).Pope Francis met briefly with U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance on Easter Sunday morning at the Casa Santa Marta, the Vatican confirmed.According to the Holy See Press Office, the private audience took place at approximately 11:30 a.m. and lasted only a few minutes. The pope and the vice president exchanged Easter greetings and spoke briefly in English.Vance thanked the Holy Father for receiving him and noted, "It's good to see you in better health." Pope Francis responded warmly. Both wished each other ''Happy Easter."During the encounter, the pope presented Vance with several gifts: a Vatican tie, a red rosary for him, white rosaries for his children, and a set of three large chocolate Easter eggs. A separate white rosary was designated for his wife.Vance replied, "Thank you. It's beautiful."Pope Francis met brief...
