Francis didn’t replace a pope who had died. He succeeded Pope Benedict XVI, a conservative, who was the first pontiff to retire in 600 years.
Benedict was the leader of the church’s conservative wing and is considered one of the world’s greatest theologians.
Pope Francis opened the service with a prayer and closed it by solemnly blessing the simple casket.
| AP and Jon Gambrell
Thousands of mourners lined up on the first day of public viewing before Thursday morning's funeral, which will be led by Pope Francis.
| AP
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the former Joseph Ratzinger, died Saturday at his home in the Vatican.
| AP
Pope Francis revealed Wednesday that the 95-year-old retired pontiff was "very ill," sparking fears that Benedict was near death.
| AP
Pope Francis has asked the faithful to pray for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI as he is "constantly monitored" by doctors.
| AP
The decision by Elnaz Rekabi to forgo the headscarf came as protests continue over the death of Mahsa Amini, who had been detained by morality police.
| AP
The pope has previously made it very clear he is against Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Francis did not refer directly to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, but the reference was clear.
| AP and Scripps News Staff
He repeated his call for universal access to the shots, particularly in the parts of the world with low vaccination rates.
| AP
President Biden was in Rome Friday morning to meet with Pope Francis.
| AP
Pope Francis said he had never denied Communion to anyone, though he said he never knowingly had a pro-abortion politician before him, either.
| AP
McCarrick, 91, was defrocked by Pope Francis in 2019 after a Vatican investigation confirmed decades of rumors that he was a sexual predator.
| AP
Defendants are alleged to have had various roles in actions that effectively cost the Holy See tens of millions of dollars in donated funds.
| AP
Pope Francis reimposed restrictions on celebrating the Latin Mass that Benedict relaxed in 2007.
| AP
Pope Francis’ recovery from intestinal surgery continues to be “regular and satisfactory.”
| AP
He underwent the operation to remove part of his colon after suffering from G.I. issues.
| AP
Church membership continues to decline in the U.S.
| Scripps
Theologians, philosophers and scientists have been having the faith vs. aliens conversation for centuries.
The pope said what was necessary instead was a process of reform.
| AP
Cardinal Reinhard Marx published his resignation letter to the pope online.
| AP
The revision of the Vatican's criminal law affects who is considered a predator and who can fall victim to abuse.
Previously, bishops had more discretion, which some critics say let them ignore or cover up abuse.
Synagogues in Germany, Spain and the U.K. have been vandalized.
Mosques implement social distancing measures and capacity limits limits.
The statement from the Vatican said the church still welcomes and blesses gay people, but would not bless their unions.
Last year Pope Francis made history as the first pope to endorse same-sex unions, calling those couples children of God.
The pontiff met with Christian and Muslim leaders and visited four cities during his three-day trip.
The pope rounded out his four-day, six-city tour by holding a mass that some 8,000 people attended.
Pope Francis and Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani stressed unity and peace after their private meeting.
It's the pope's first trip abroad in 15 months — and it's taking place while Iraq faces a virus resurgence and continued rocket attacks.
Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent for Christians, is usually among the most popular Masses.
