If you grew up Catholic, you most likely knew the names of every pope that was around since you could remember; you also probably know the really famous ones who were around befor ...

Pope Francis, Latin America’s first pontiff, died at age 88 after a cerebral stroke. Francis stressed humility over hubris ...

Right after his death on April 21, 2025, everything that had belonged to Pope Francis was packed, in a matter of a couple of hours, into several specially sealed boxes, under the careful supervision ...

Pope Leo not planning big changes to Catholic teachings In interview, Leo says he will keep Pope Francis' policies Pope shies away from direct criticism of Trump, Israel Leo decries abuse by clergy, ...

The story that dominated the Catholic news headlines in 2025 was, of course, the death of Pope Francis and the conclave that elected Pope Leo XIV. These were NCR's most read — not necessarily the most ...

Editor’s note: This article is adapted from the Laetare lecture on March 26, given in New York after the author was awarded the Loyola Medal by the Church of St. Ignatius Loyola. Pope Francis’ vast ...

Pope Francis waves to a crowd of well-wishers at Rome's Gemelli hospital before returning to the Vatican March 23, 2025, after 38 days of treatment at the hospital. Massimiliano Strappetti, a nurse ...

On April 21, 2025, the bells of St. Peter’s Basilica tolled for Pope Francis, marking the end of his life and his 12-year papacy. As the 265th successor of St. Peter, the Argentinian pontiff left a ...

Pope Francis has visited the island that symbolises the migrant crisis. Greeted by thousands, he stressed Europe’s duty to ...

Traveling through the Mideast, Leo XIV channeled many of his predecessor’s messages. Leo’s deliberate manner differed from Francis. By Motoko Rich Motoko Rich, who covers the Vatican from her base in ...