For the first time in history, an American has been elected to lead the Roman Catholic Church. Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of Chicago, Illinois, has officially been named the 267th pope and will now be known as Pope Leo XIV.

A Momentous Decision

White smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel chimney on the second day of the conclave, signaling the decision had been made. Pope Leo XIV will soon make his first public appearance on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, offering his inaugural blessing as the new spiritual leader of over 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide.

His election came swiftly—mirroring the pace of recent conclaves—which suggests he quickly earned the trust and support of his fellow cardinals.

A Global Church, A Global Leader

Pope Leo XIV, 69, brings decades of international experience to the papacy. Though born and raised in the U.S., he spent much of his religious life in Peru, serving in missionary roles and eventually becoming the bishop of Chiclayo, where he led from 2014 to 2023.

Before that, he led the Augustinian order globally as its prior general, giving him deep experience managing diverse communities across the world.

Most recently, he headed the Vatican’s powerful Dicastery for Bishops, the office responsible for selecting bishops around the globe. In this role, he also served as president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, helping shape the leadership of the Catholic Church throughout the region.

A Calm, Balanced Vision

Vatican analysts describe Pope Leo XIV as a leader with both humility and strength—someone who brings people together without imposing his will.

“He’s calm, even-handed, and focused on what needs to be done,” said CNN’s Vatican analyst Elise Allen. “But he doesn’t push his vision with an iron fist. He’s a consensus builder.”

Allen also emphasized his global perspective, which may have helped overcome concerns about selecting a U.S. pope—something historically avoided due to America’s geopolitical influence. “He’s from the West, but his deep roots in South America make him an international figure in every sense.”

A Lifelong Missionary

Pope Leo XIV has never strayed far from his missionary roots. Even in his latest Vatican roles, he referred to himself as a missionary, committed to spreading the Gospel wherever he’s called to serve.

His academic background includes a mathematics degree from Villanova University, theological training at Catholic Theological Union of Chicago, and canon law studies in Rome at the Pontifical Saint Thomas Aquinas University. He was ordained in 1982 and spent years teaching canon law at a seminary in Trujillo, Peru.

Advocating for Reform and Inclusion

During his time at the Dicastery for Bishops, Pope Leo XIV welcomed the contributions of women who had joined the Vatican office, saying their involvement was “genuine and meaningful” in decision-making processes.

He also acknowledged ongoing challenges in confronting clerical abuse:

“There are places where good work has already been done… but there is still much to learn.”

What’s Next

As bells ring in St. Peter’s Square and the crowd eagerly awaits his first blessing, the world watches to see how Pope Leo XIV will shape the future of the Church. With a deep commitment to service, experience across continents, and a reputation for thoughtful leadership, his papacy begins with a spirit of hope and unity.

This is a developing story. More updates to follow.

Source: CNN – Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost elected as new leader of Catholic Church, taking the name Pope Leo XIV

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The bells of St. Peter’s Basilica rang solemnly as tens of thousands gathered in Vatican City to bid farewell to Pope Francis, a leader remembered as a champion of the poor, migrants, and the marginalized.

The funeral Mass, held on the steps of the iconic basilica, drew an extraordinary crowd — over 250,000 mourners in the square and along the 6-kilometer procession route through Rome. More than 50 world leaders and 11 monarchs paid their respects, including U.S. President Donald Trump, former President Joe Biden, Argentine President Javier Milei, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky.

As the modest wooden coffin was carried back into the basilica, applause broke the solemn silence of the crowd. After the service, Francis’ body was taken across the River Tiber to the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore for burial, passing Rome’s ancient Colosseum along the way.

“I loved him from the very first moment because he was human, with such an open heart,” said Anita Althaus, who drove overnight from Germany to attend. “He had love always.”

Pope Francis, the first Latin American pope, died at age 88 following a stroke on Easter Monday — just one day after giving his final public blessing in St. Peter’s Square.

His funeral was simple by design, following his own wishes to focus not on power, but on his identity as a humble pastor. Italian Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, leading the homily, praised Francis’ relentless advocacy for refugees, the poor, and peace amid the world’s wars.

“Build bridges, not walls,” was a refrain Francis often repeated, Cardinal Re reminded mourners.

The ceremony also reflected the pope’s global reach. Prayers were offered in multiple languages, including French, Arabic, Portuguese, Polish, German — and for the first time, Mandarin Chinese.

Holy Communion was distributed to both cardinals and laypeople, with handshakes and warm greetings rippling through the crowd, capturing the uplifting spirit Francis often encouraged.

True to his mission, Pope Francis ensured that the poor, homeless, migrants, and other marginalized groups were not only invited to the funeral but given a front-row place to honor him. A group of transgender women living in a Roman convent also attended, illustrating Francis’ lifelong efforts to include those often overlooked by the Church.

“The poor have a privileged place in the heart of God,” a Vatican statement emphasized — a belief Francis lived until his final day.

For his burial, Francis chose Santa Maria Maggiore, becoming the first pope in more than 300 years to be interred there — away from the public eye, among the people he championed.

Sister Evelyn, attending from the Basilica, said, “When Pope Francis recognized us in the periphery, we felt seen. Will the next pope see us too?”

Francis was a trailblazer: the first Jesuit pope, the first from the Americas, and the first modern pope born outside Europe. Elected in 2013, he ushered in progressive reforms, expanding roles for women and softening the Church’s tone on LGBTQ+ issues. His famous words on sexual orientation — “Who am I to judge?” — captured his pastoral approach.

He approved blessings for same-sex couples, though without changing official doctrine, and he remained a vocal critic of nationalism and harsh immigration policies, including rebukes of the Trump administration.

Still, his papacy was not without controversy. Survivors and activists say more work remains to address clerical sexual abuse, and divisions over Church teachings on sexuality persist. Some conservative factions within the Church openly criticized his leadership.

The next pope will be chosen in a closed-door conclave, with tensions expected between cardinals who wish to continue Francis’ progressive path and those who seek to shift the Church back toward conservatism.

Many young Catholics, however, hope for continuity.

“I hope the next pope will be close to the people, like Francis,” said Candela Rodríguez, a 21-year-old student from Spain attending the funeral. “He did a good job of bringing religion closer to young people.”

Across Vatican City, mourners echoed a similar feeling: deep sadness at the loss, and gratitude for a life devoted to compassion, reform, and service to those who needed it most.

“He was a simple man who loved others,” said Sister Luisa, a nun from Munich. “We feel blessed — and we feel sorrow.”

Source: CNN – Francis celebrated as ‘pope among the people’ in Vatican funeral attended by massive crowd

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In a striking moment of diplomacy amid solemn ceremony, U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held urgent war talks inside St. Peter’s Basilica on Saturday, just minutes before the funeral of Pope Francis began.

Photos released by Ukraine’s presidency showed Trump and Zelensky deep in conversation, alone and without aides, surrounded by the grandeur of the Vatican.

Zelensky later posted on social media, calling it a “good meeting” and emphasizing their goals: protecting Ukrainian lives, achieving a full and unconditional ceasefire, and securing a lasting peace to prevent future wars. “A symbolic meeting that has the potential to become historic if joint results are achieved,” he added.

A White House spokesperson described the meeting as “very productive,” noting it lasted about 15 minutes. Both sides agreed to continue the dialogue in the coming days.

Saturday’s meeting marked the first face-to-face encounter between Trump and Zelensky since a rocky session at the White House in February, where Trump had publicly criticized Zelensky’s government and briefly suspended military support.

Interestingly, this latest conversation wasn’t announced in advance. It took place near the entrance of St. Peter’s Basilica, just outside the Baptistry Chapel, taking advantage of the gathering of world leaders and the looser formalities around seating arrangements.

While the White House had downplayed the possibility of any sideline diplomacy during the trip, the death of Pope Francis shifted Trump’s travel plans — originally set to begin in Saudi Arabia — and opened the door for unexpected high-level interactions in Europe.

Trump also briefly engaged with other global figures during the funeral, including French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, amid ongoing tensions over trade and defense matters.

Behind the scenes, the U.S. is turning up the pressure on Ukraine to strike a peace deal. Trump warned last week that the U.S. could walk away from negotiations “within days” if no progress is made.

Landing in Rome, Trump posted on Truth Social:

“A good day in talks and meetings with Russia and Ukraine. They are very close to a deal, and the two sides should now meet, at very high levels, to ‘finish it off.’”

Adding to the momentum, Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff spent three hours in talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, discussions described by Moscow as “constructive and very useful.”

Meanwhile, before departing Kyiv, Zelensky signaled openness to negotiations — but with conditions. He stressed that Ukraine would only engage after a full and unconditional ceasefire, and that future security guarantees would be critical, possibly involving European troops or advanced U.S. defense systems like Patriot missiles.

Zelensky also acknowledged a tough reality: Ukraine’s bid for NATO membership is not imminent. He called for pragmatic security guarantees, rather than relying solely on alliance membership.

Talks are also being shaped by a new draft plan, the “Ukraine Deal Framework,” drawn up in London between Ukrainian and European officials. A copy obtained by Reuters proposes a full ceasefire across land, sea, and air — monitored by the U.S. and other partner countries.

The framework envisions:

• Strong U.S.-backed security guarantees for Ukraine, similar to NATO’s Article 5 protections.
• No restrictions on the presence or operations of foreign allied forces inside Ukraine.
• Negotiations over disputed territories starting after the ceasefire, based on current frontlines.

Ukraine would also regain control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, and the U.S. would gain access to valuable Ukrainian rare earth minerals — compensated through frozen Russian assets.

However, the framework faces significant obstacles. Russia is likely to oppose many of its provisions, especially those allowing foreign military presence in Ukraine.

One particularly thorny issue remains Crimea. Although Witkoff’s private proposal reportedly suggests the U.S. could recognize Crimea as Russian territory, Zelensky firmly rejected that idea, calling it non-negotiable and unconstitutional under Ukrainian law.

“There’s nothing to talk about when it comes to Crimea,” Zelensky said bluntly. Instead, he pushed for more economic pressure and sanctions as alternatives to military force.

As talks inch forward, tensions on the ground remain high. On Thursday, Kyiv suffered its deadliest missile attack since July, leaving 12 dead. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed on Saturday that Russia had regained full control of the Kursk border region — a claim that Ukraine has yet to confirm, and which independent media have not yet verified.

Inside the Vatican, the quiet, hurried conversation between Trump and Zelensky offered a rare glimpse of high-stakes diplomacy unfolding during one of the world’s most solemn ceremonies. Whether this historic setting helps bring an end to Europe’s bloodiest conflict since World War II remains to be seen.

Source: CNN – Trump and Zelensky hold war talks inside St. Peter’s Basilica ahead of pope’s funeral

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Thousands of mourners poured into St. Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday, paying their final respects to Pope Francis as three days of public viewing began ahead of Saturday’s funeral.

Under the vaulted ceilings of the 16th-century basilica, an open wooden casket holding the body of Pope Francis was placed humbly on a ramp, not on a raised platform like past popes — a deliberate choice reflecting his wishes for a simpler farewell. Dressed in red liturgical robes, rosary in hand, and wearing the traditional bishop’s miter, the beloved pontiff lay in state near the main altar as Swiss Guards stood in solemn watch.

By the end of the first day, nearly 20,000 people had quietly filed past the casket — some tearful, some praying, others capturing the moment with their phones.

“It gave me chills,” said Ivenes Bianco, who traveled from Brindisi while in Rome for medical treatment. “He brought people together. He was important to me.”

A Farewell Fit for a Shepherd

The Vatican says it may extend public viewing hours to accommodate the growing crowd. Inside the basilica, the atmosphere was reverent — the gentle squeak of sneakers, the shuffle of robes, the whisper of prayers, and the occasional cry of a child.

Earlier that morning, the basilica’s bells tolled as pallbearers carried Francis’ body in a solemn procession across St. Peter’s Square — the same place where he had offered his final blessing just weeks ago during a surprise appearance on Easter Sunday, defying his fragile health.

Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who is temporarily overseeing Vatican affairs, led the procession, flanked by cardinals, bishops, and members of the clergy. Incense filled the air as the Litany of Saints echoed through the basilica.

“It feels like losing a family member,” said Rosa Morghen from Naples. “He was like a father or grandfather to us.”

Pope Francis, who passed away on Monday at age 88, leaves behind a 12-year papacy defined by his compassion for the poor, commitment to interfaith dialogue, and push for a more inclusive Catholic Church. While admired globally, his progressive views occasionally drew criticism from conservative circles.

His simple final wishes were honored from the start: Francis first lay in state privately at the Vatican guesthouse he called home, before moving to the basilica for the public to say goodbye.

The viewing will continue until Friday at 7 p.m., after which the casket will be closed and sealed.

The funeral Mass is set for Saturday at 10 a.m. in St. Peter’s Square, drawing world leaders including U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Behind the scenes, cardinals are already preparing for the conclave — the sacred process that will elect the next pope. With 133 eligible cardinals under the age of 80, the secretive vote is expected to begin after May 5.

While speculation swirls about possible successors, many are reflecting on Francis’ global legacy. From Asia to the South Pacific, representatives are traveling to Rome, hopeful about the Church’s next chapter.

“There’s no East or West for the Lord,” said South Korean Cardinal Lazarus You Heung-sik, when asked if the next pope might come from Asia.

John Ribat, the first cardinal from Papua New Guinea, expressed pride in representing the island nation, saying he hopes for a leader who can unite the Church in truth and compassion.

“We’ve lost our leader,” said Brazilian pilgrim Julio Henrique, “but we also hold onto hope — hope for who will next take Peter’s throne.”

Source: AP News – Catholic faithful pay their final respects to Pope Francis as public viewing begins

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A man caused a disturbance at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City by jumping onto the main altar and knocking over 19th-century candelabra worth thousands of dollars.

Dramatic Scene Caught on Video

Footage shared on X captures the shocking moment when the man climbed onto the altar, which is used for major liturgical celebrations led by Pope Francis. In the video, he is seen pulling off the altar cloth before being quickly stopped by security, leaving tourists in shock.

Historical and Artistic Significance

The altar, located beneath the basilica’s renowned stone canopy designed by Italian artist Gian Lorenzo Bernini, was recently restored. The candelabra he toppled are valued at approximately €30,000 ($31,000), according to Italian news agency Ansa.

Suspect and Security Response

The suspect, identified as a Romanian national, was detained by Vatican Police before being handed over to Italian authorities. A Vatican spokesperson told Ansa that the individual has a “serious mental disability.” CNN has reached out to the Vatican for further comment.

Increased Security Ahead of Catholic Jubilee

The incident comes as the Vatican prepares for the Catholic Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year, during which an estimated 32 million pilgrims are expected to visit Rome. In anticipation of the influx, the basilica has strengthened security measures, including installing protective glass in front of Michelangelo’s Pietà sculpture. The statue was previously attacked with a hammer in 1972.

A Troubling Pattern of Vandalism

This is not the first time such an incident has occurred. In 2019, another individual threw candelabra off the main altar in a similar act of vandalism.

Authorities continue to assess the situation as security measures are reinforced to protect one of the world’s most revered religious and cultural landmarks.

Source

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