St. Peter’s Square

With a liturgy steeped in tradition and rich in symbolism May 18, Pope Leo XIV formally began his ministry as bishop of Rome.

Pope Leo formally began his ministry as the 266th successor of St. Peter at his inauguration Mass by calling for the church to give a united witness to Christ.

Pope Leo XIV speaks to the church and the world during his first homily given in a public setting.

More than 250,000 people gathered in St. Peter’s Square and the neighboring streets to attend funeral Mass for Pope Francis at the Vatican April 26, 2025.

Americans, who witnessed Pope Francis’ funeral liturgy in person or broadcast live, united their prayers with the universal church in a Mass of simple splendor.

Here is the English translation of the homily given in Italian by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals, for Pope Francis’ funeral.

As Pope Francis remains hospitalized, “prayer is the only solace” for the Catholic faithful, says Polish cardinal who is the papal almoner at Vatican.