“Francis has been a pope of powerful surprises, so it would be foolish to predict his next initiatives,” Cardinal Michael Czerny, who leads the Vatican office for human development, told CNN.

Pope Francis was in critical condition Saturday after suffering from a respiratory crisis — one that required oxygen treatments, the Vatican said. The pope, 88, was hospitalized a week ago with ...

Topline Pope Francis has died, the Vatican announced on Monday—after months of health ailments, including a bout of severe pneumonia—ending a more than decade-long reign where he pushed to ...

ROME — Pope Francis was in critical condition Saturday after he suffered a long asthmatic respiratory crisis that required high flows of oxygen, the Vatican said. The 88-year-old Francis, who ...

It also oversees the Vatican's diplomatic corps. Pope Francis smiles as he walks alongside Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, left, and Cardinal Giuseppe Versaldi at the Vatican in 2014.

Even in death, Pope Francis remained a trailblazer — becoming the only pontiff to open, but not close, the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica in what has become a fateful symbol of his papal ...

The pope's death at age 88 ends a 12-year papacy that began with the historic resignation of Francis' predecessor in 2013. Now a period of mourning begins along with a process to select a new pope.

Though hospitalized in critical condition, Pope Francis was well enough to meet with the Vatican secretary of state to approve new decrees for possible saints and make some major governing decisions.

The Vatican said Pope Francis died just after 7:30 a.m. local time on Monday, a day after he surprised many by appearing at St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on Easter Sunday to greet well-wishers.

Pope Francis Is Doing Well After Abdominal Surgery, Vatican Says The 86-year old pontiff had a “day of rest” after hernia surgery, and was able to take communion in his room, the Vatican said.

Pope Francis in St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican celebrates the mass for the funeral of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, Joseph Ratzinger, on Jan. 5, 2023.

Pope Francis opens the Holy Door of St Peter's Basilica to mark the start of the Catholic Jubilee Year, at the Vatican, Dec. 24, 2024. (Alberto Pizzoli/Pool Photo via AP) ...