Pope Francis’s burial at the Basilica of St. Mary Major is a deeply personal tribute to his Ligurian roots, with a simple tomb crafted from slate stone, honoring his family’s homeland. The tomb bears only the Latin inscription "Franciscus" and a reproduction of his pectoral cross, reflecting his lifelong devotion to humility. Meanwhile, the world mourns his passing, and attention is shifting toward the upcoming papal conclave, where leading candidates, such as Pietro Parolin, Péter Erdő, and Luis Antonio Tagle, are in the running for the papacy.

As the Vatican prepares for the conclave, a renewed interest in the film Conclave has sparked comparisons between its fictional characters and real-life papal contenders. The conclave will begin in early May, following the nine days of mourning.
In Rome, an unexpected controversy arose when mourners took selfies with Pope Francis’s body, sparking tension and revealing the clash between centuries-old traditions and modern social media culture. Despite Pope Francis’s embrace of modern communication, the incident has raised questions about reverence in the age of smartphones.

Meanwhile, in Argentina, Francis’s deep connection to his beloved San Lorenzo soccer club has taken on a symbolic significance, with the number on his membership card aligning eerily with the time of his death. Tributes to the Pope are flooding Buenos Aires, with discussions about naming a stadium in his honor and commemorations that blend mourning with celebration.

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The touching account of Pope Francis's Easter Sunday appearance and final hours, as shared by his personal doctor. Discover how Sister Geneviève's solitary vigil honored a meaningful friendship, and how ancient Gregorian chant traditions brought dignity to the funeral ceremonies at Saint Peter's.

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What happens when the Catholic Church's heroes become its flashpoints? This episode examines the Church's most controversial canonizations, from Juan Diego's disputed historical existence to Josemaría Escrivá's fast-tracked elevation and Mother Teresa's complex legacy. We explore how disputed martyrs from the Spanish Civil War reveal competing historical narratives, and how ancient controversies like Emperor Constantine's sainthood continue to shape debates about the Church's relationship to power. Behind every contested saint lies a battle over what kind of Catholicism deserves veneration.

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Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re delivered a moving eulogy for Pope Francis on Saturday, honoring him as a true "pope of the people" whose informal and spontaneous style allowed him to communicate effectively with the "least among us."

The Cardinal spoke with deep reverence, describing Francis as "a pope among the people, with an open heart towards everyone," capturing the essence of a pontificate marked by accessibility and compassion. In his remarks, Cardinal Re evoked the poignant final public image many would carry of Francis—the pontiff offering what would become his last blessing on Easter Sunday and waving to the faithful from the popemobile in Saint Peter's Square, the very same piazza where his funeral Mass was now being celebrated.

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Pope Francis's funeral will take place on Saturday at 10 a.m. Rome time, and here’s everything you need to know about the event.

The ceremony will be held at St. Peter’s Square with Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re presiding over the Mass, incorporating traditional rites with Pope Francis’s personal modifications, such as a simpler service with a single wooden coffin. The Mass will include prayers in multiple languages and will conclude with Pope Francis’s burial at the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, in line with his wish for simplicity.

For viewers, major networks such as NBC, CBS, CNN, and ABC will broadcast the event, with the Vatican’s YouTube channel offering a live stream. International outlets like CBC Television (Canada), Sky News and BBC (UK), and Globo News (Brazil) will also provide coverage.

The funeral will be a highly structured event, with dignitaries and heads of state seated according to strict protocols. The seating chart will follow alphabetical order, with representatives from Italy and Argentina occupying front-row seats, while U.S. President Donald Trump will be placed away from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to avoid diplomatic tensions. Strict dress codes will also be in place, with men wearing dark suits and women in black dresses with veils.

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Thursday 4/24/25 "The Final Farewell" As tens of thousands of mourners from across the globe converge on St. Peter's Basilica to pay their last respects to Pope Francis, the Catholic Church prepares for Saturday's funeral and the upcoming conclave. In today's episode, we explore the emotional scenes inside the basilica, examine the cardinals' preliminary meetings, and investigate the emerging battle lines between progressives hoping to continue Francis's reforms and conservatives seeking a return to tradition. With Francis's revolutionary legacy hanging in the balance, the Church stands at a critical crossroads.

Wednesday 4/23/25 We cover Pope Francis's solemn procession to St. Peter's Basilica where thousands gather to pay their respects to the 88-year-old pontiff who died on Easter Monday. Learn about his touching final words, the enhanced security measures during this Jubilee Holy Year, and exclusive insights into the upcoming conclave process from Cardinal Castillo. Join us as Rome prepares for Saturday's funeral where an estimated 250,000 mourners and numerous world leaders will bid farewell to a pope who reformed even his own funeral rites to be remembered not as "a powerful man of this world" but as "a shepherd and disciple."

Tuesday 4/22/25 The Vatican has announced that Francis's funeral will take place this Saturday at 10 a.m. in St. Peter's Square, an event expected to draw tens of thousands of mourners from around the world. This timing follows the traditional Catholic practice of holding papal funerals four to six days after death, similar to Pope Emeritus BenedictI's funeral which occurred five days after his passing in 2023.

Following tradition, Vatican officials have sealed both the papal apartments in the Apostolic Palace and Francis's modest living quarters at Casa Santa Marta, the Vatican guest house where he chose to reside throughout his papacy, rejecting the more ornate papal accommodations. New video footage shows the ceremonial sealing of these spaces with red ribbon and wax. Cardinal Kevin Farrell, serving as camerlengo, personally tested the doors to ensure they were properly locked as part of the ancient rituals following a pope's death.

The Vatican News reported that the rite confirming the death and the placement of Pope Francis's body in the coffin took place on Monday in the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta in Vatican City. Images released by the Vatican showed Francis in an open coffin, dressed in red and white vestments and holding a rosary. On Wednesday, the coffin will be taken in a procession to St. Peter's Basilica to lie in state for about three days, with mourners allowed to visit and pay tribute.

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Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires on December 17, 1936,  to Italian immigrant parents, he worked as a chemical technician and even as a nightclub bouncer before entering the priesthood. This humble beginning would later inform his papacy's emphasis on serving the poor and marginalized.

As Archbishop of Buenos Aires, he was known for taking public transportation and cooking his own meals, earning a reputation for humble leadership that would later define his papal style. "My people are poor and I am one of them," he often said, explaining his modest lifestyle.

Elected pope in March 2013, following the historic resignation of Pope Benedict the Sixteenth, Francis immediately set a new tone for the papacy. He chose his papal name in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi, signaling his commitment to the poor and to environmental stewardship.

His papacy was marked by several historic firsts and significant reforms.   Pope Francis was 88.