By CNA Staff
Vatican City, Apr 28, 2025 / 05:00 am
Pope Francis passed away Easter Monday, April 21. The 88-year-old pontiff led the Catholic Church for a little more than 12 years. His burial at St. Mary Major took place Saturday, April 26.
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Cardinals are meeting in General Congregation to determine when the conclave to elect a new pope will begin. The pivotal gathering began this morning at the Vatican as the College of Cardinals continues their preparations for electing the next successor to St. Peter.
Sources inside the Vatican confirm that today's April 28 meeting is specifically focused on setting the official start date for the conclave, where cardinal electors under 80 years of age will cast their votes.
The cardinals have been holding regular General Congregation meetings in recent days to discuss the current state and future direction of the Church and global affairs. Today's decision represents a significant step forward in the process.
Vatican watchers expect an announcement on the conclave date to be made following the conclusion of today's meeting. We will update this liveblog as more information becomes available.
The final journey of Pope Francis through the streets of Rome Saturday became a tapestry of meaningful moments, from departing through the door near his humble Vatican residence to traveling in the Dode Ram popemobile that once carried him among the faithful in Mexico. Each element of the six-kilometer cortege reflected aspects of his papacy and personal devotions.
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In a video message recorded in January, but only published on Sunday, six days after his death, Pope Francis encourages young people to work on listening well to others.
In the Jan. 8 video, shared by the Italian weekly magazine “Oggi,” the pope addresses teens and young adults, telling them, "one of the most important things in life is to listen — to learn how to listen.""People don’t listen. Halfway through an explanation, they’ll answer, and that doesn’t help peace. Listen — listen a lot,” he urges.
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A Lithuanian cardinal says that Pope Francis chose his final resting place at the Basilica of St. Mary Major following what the late pontiff described as guidance from the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Speaking to journalists after Saturday’s burial, Cardinal Rolandas Makrickas, coadjutor archpriest of the basilica, shares that he had initially asked Francis on May 13, 2022 — the feast of Our Lady of Fátima — if he would consider being buried at St. Mary Major.
The pope declined, saying popes should traditionally be buried at St. Peter’s Basilica, reported ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner.
However, just one week later, Francis summoned Makrickas and told him: “The Virgin told me ‘prepare your tomb,’” adding: “I am happy that the Virgin has not forgotten about me.”
Mourners lined the streets of Rome yesterday as the pope’s wishes were fulfilled with his burial at the Marian basilica, where pilgrims are now beginning to visit his simple tomb marked “FRANCISCVS.”
St. Peter’s Square is filled with thousands of teenagers and other pilgrims from around the world today as Cardinal Pietro Parolin celebrates Mass on the second day of mourning for Pope Francis, which also falls on Divine Mercy Sunday.
”The shepherd whom the Lord gave to his people, Pope Francis, has ended his earthly life and has left us,” Parolin says in his homily.
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