As a Jesuit, I felt sure 12 years ago that there was no real chance the cardinals would elect a Jesuit pope. As an American, I felt sure six days ago that there was no real chance they would elect someone from the United States. Today, I am overjoyed at having a terrible track record … Read more
The process of picking the next pope starts in a few hours. I’m in Rome reporting about it. Today’s newsletter answers questions I keep hearing about how the Catholic Church selects Pope Francis’ successor. How long does the conclave last? As long as it takes! Church rules require two-thirds of the eligible cardinals to agree … Read more
When Pope Francis visited Bethlehem in the Israeli-occupied West Bank in 2014, he crisscrossed the traditional birthplace of Jesus in a white popemobile manufactured especially for his visit. Now, the vehicle is being transformed into a mobile health clinic to treat ill and wounded Palestinian children in the Gaza Strip — an initiative that Pope … Read more
The transition from one pope to the next can be a mystifying time for those who aren’t familiar with the workings of the Roman Catholic Church — and even to some who are. The process is governed by centuries-old rules and traditions that come with their own vocabulary, much of it in Latin. The election … Read more
President Trump flew briefly this weekend into a European continent he has thrown into chaos in recent months, paying respects to Pope Francis at his funeral, but also meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine at a critical moment that may decide both the country’s boundaries and its fate. Mr. Trump was on the ground … Read more
Before thousands lined up for a momentary glimpse of Pope Francis’ body and a chance to pay their respects, one elderly nun stood facing the pontiff’s coffin, bidding a tearful farewell to her longtime friend. A video captured the last tender moments Sister Geneviève Jeanningros shared with the man with whom she was known to … Read more
Pope Francis made his first, brief, appearance in more than six weeks on Sunday, appearing on the balcony of a Rome hospital to greet hundreds of people gathered in the square in front. Looking frail, Francis gave a thumbs up. “Thank you everyone,” he said in a wisp of a voice. The pope later left … Read more
“I like punctuality, it’s a virtue I have learned to appreciate,” Pope Francis writes in the fifth chapter of his autobiography, to be published on Tuesday in 18 languages, adding that he considers it “a sign of good manners and respect, to arrive promptly.” Unfortunately, as a newborn, Francis writes, he arrived a week late, … Read more