Diocese of Scranton

ROME (CNS) – The casket bearing the body of Pope Francis made its final journey through the streets of Rome accompanied by applause and shouts of gratitude from thousands of mourners. After the funeral Mass April 26, pallbearers carried Pope Francis’ coffin through St. Peter’s Basilica, stopping briefly at the steps leading to St. Peter’s … Continue reading "Thousands line streets of Rome to bid final farewell to Pope Francis"

VATICAN CITY (CNS) – When Pope Francis was elected as the first Latin American pontiff, he said his brother cardinals went out of their way to pick someone from the “ends of the earth.” He spent the rest of his pontificate going back out to those peripheries, traveling to more than 65 nations, preferring those … Continue reading "Pope spent pontificate going to peripheries; at funeral, they came to him"

Editor’s note: This is the English translation of the prepared text of the homily, delivered in Italian by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals, for the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican April 26, 2025. It is provided by the Holy See Press Office and lightly … Continue reading "Homily for the funeral Mass of Pope Francis"

VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Pope Francis was “a pope among the people, with an open heart toward everyone,” said Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals, as he presided over the funeral of the pope, who died April 21 at the age of 88. And the people – an estimated 200,000 of … Continue reading "Poor and powerful pray for eternal repose of a pope ‘with an open heart’"

VATICAN CITY (CNS) – After an estimated 250,000 people had passed by the body of Pope Francis, lying in an open casket in front of the main altar in St. Peter’s Basilica, the casket was sealed in a private ceremony. Inside the casket was a scroll that summarized the life and ministry of the pope, … Continue reading "As pope’s casket is sealed, he is remembered for simplicity, humility"

ROME (OSV News) – It was a busy morning April 25 at the Elemosineria Apostolica, or Apostolic Almsgiving Office, behind the Vatican walls. As Cardinal Konrad Krajewski was rushing to get his morning coffee before entering the general congregation of cardinals at 9 a.m., he gave directions to Rudolf, once a homeless man and for years … Continue reading "Rome’s needy bid farewell to pope who lifted them up from misery"

SCRANTON – Faithful of the Diocese of Scranton woke up Easter Monday morning to the news that Pope Francis had passed away during the night at his residence in Vatican City at the age 88 – less than 24 hours after he conferred what would be his final “Urbi et Orbi” blessing on Easter Sunday … Continue reading "Hundreds attend Remembrance Mass honoring life, legacy of Pope Francis"