The conclave to elect the 267th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church will commence on May 7th, 2025, following the Novemdiales Masses for the eternal repose of the late Pope Francis.
Despite a modified schedule following the death of Pope Francis, the Jubilee of Teenagers was held in Rome from April 25–27, 2025, drawing tens of thousands of young people from around the world.
In a heartfelt departure from tradition, Pope Francis requested to be laid to rest at the Basilica of St. Mary Major, rather than the Vatican Grottoes where many of his predecessors lie, on April 26.
As of April 2025, Asia has become a major voice in the Catholic Church, contributing 37 cardinals to the College of Cardinals—23 of whom are electors, eligible to vote in a future papal conclave.
Cardinals gathered for their fourth General Congregation on April 25, Friday morning in the New Synod Hall, as the Church prepares to bid farewell to Pope Francis with the solemn funeral of “a shepherd, not a sovereign.”
In a moving tribute to the late Holy Father, Pope Francis, Radio Veritas Asia (RVA) organized a special Rosary prayer service on Friday, April 25, uniting voices across Asia to pray for the eternal repose of his soul.
Following the funeral rites of Pope Francis scheduled for Saturday, April 26, cardinals under the age of 80 from around the world will gather at the Vatican in the following days to participate in the conclave to elect the next pope.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has appealed to the public to refrain from campaigning for Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle as the next pope, citing concerns about potentially undermining the integrity of the papal conclave.
Following the funeral of Pope Francis, the Catholic Church has entered the ancient tradition of Novemdiales, a period of nine consecutive days of mourning.
