1. Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, died April 21 at age 88. Elected in 2013, he first greeted the world from St. Peter’s Basilica as a bishop of Rome walking with his people. The cause of death was “cerebral stroke, coma, irreversible cardiovascular collapse,” according to a statement from the director of Vatican City State’s department of health services.
- In his final weeks, he surprised the faithful with appearances across Rome, despite fragile health. The day before his death, Pope Francis gave his Easter blessing “urbi et orbi” (to the city and the world) and rode around St. Peter’s Square, waving to the crowd and blessing babies; he also had a brief meeting with U.S. Vice President JD Vance.
- Among his last words were his thanks to his nurse, Massimiliano Strappetti, late April 20 when he said, “Thank you for bringing me back to the square.”
- Pope Francis’ solemn funeral Mass will be broadcast and livestreamed by multiple media outlets April 26; the Mass begins at 10 a.m. local time in Rome, or 4 a.m. EDT (3 a.m. CDT, 2 a.m. MDT and 1 a.m. PDT) in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican.
2. With the death of Pope Francis, the April 27 canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis is postponed and the Mass scheduled for that day will be a memorial Mass, the Vatican said. The Mass concluding the Jubilee of Adolescents, scheduled for April 25-27 in Rome, will still be celebrated.
3. In Bethlehem, Easter Mass at St. Catherine Church drew a packed congregation, as many West Bank Christians were denied permits to attend services at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem — just six miles away. Despite Israel issuing 6,000 permits to a Christian population of 50,000, some faithful reported being blocked at checkpoints even with valid permits. The situation added to a growing frustration over restricted religious access during one of Christianity’s holiest seasons.
4. A sacred poetry contest, special exhibits and more are unique observances planned for Divine Mercy Sunday — but the solemnity takes place as the church and the world grieve the loss of Pope Francis, whose funeral will take place the day prior. “It’s kind of a dichotomy of emotions,” admitted Father Chris Alar, provincial superior of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the order that oversees the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy in Stockbridge, Massachusetts.
5. The Diocese of Buffalo, New York, has reached a potential agreement with abuse survivors five years after filing for bankruptcy. The planned $150 million payout does not include contributions from insurance companies, with which the diocese is in “active mediation” to determine a final amount.
6. Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, bid farewell to the Holy City on April 23 as he departed for Rome to participate in his first conclave. In a video message, Cardinal Pizzaballa asked for prayers, acknowledging the weight of the responsibility ahead: “We must all pray for the Church … your prayers will bring the right choices for the good of the universal Church.”
7. In comments at the Semafor World Economy Summit April 24, Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Martin Makary said he has “no plans” to restrict the availability of mifepristone, a pill commonly used in a medication or chemical abortion.
8. The oldest religious sister in the U.S., Dominican Sister Francis Dominici Piscatella, celebrated her 112th birthday on Easter at the Queen of the Rosary Motherhouse in Amityville. Despite some hearing loss, Sister Dominici still keeps up with current events — and conversations. As her favorite saying goes, “God’s not ready for me yet.”
9. The U.S. Supreme Court April 22 heard a case concerning a request from an interfaith group of Maryland parents to allow them to opt their children out of classroom instruction pertaining to books containing LGBTQ+ themes to which they object on religious grounds. The court also issued an order this week temporarily barring the Trump administration from continuing to deport some migrants accused of gang membership under a wartime powers law.
10. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on April 22 announced the “reorganization” of the State Department would include staffing cuts and the consolidation of offices. The plan would eliminate the department’s main bureau focused on democracy and human rights, but officials suggested some of those functions would be moved elsewhere.
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