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In a heartfelt gesture of respect and unity, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Thiru M.K. Stalin paid tribute to the late Pope Francis during a solemn memorial service held at Loyola College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, on April 30.

As the Catholic Church enters a sacred moment of transition following the funeral of Pope Francis, Catholic youth from around the world have issued a powerful joint statement ahead of the conclave, expressing their hopes, prayers, and vision for the future leadership of the Church.

Catholic youth movements worldwide expressed their collective hopes, prayers, and vision for the next pope.

On May 1, 2025, the Apostolic Nunciature in Thailand was deeply honored to welcome the Prime Minister of Thailand, Ms. Paentongtarn Shinawatra, who visited to sign the Book of Condolence and pay her respects to the memory of Pope Francis.

For the first time in Church history, a conclave to elect the next Pope will include more than 120 Cardinal electors.

In a spirit of gratitude and respect, the Holy Family Convent, Sancoale, hosted an early Workers’ Day celebration on 30 April 2025 to honour the dedicated helpers and support staff serving in the various communities of the Congregation in Goa.

The economic and pastoral priorities of the Church were at the heart of discussions during the seventh General Congregation of Cardinals held on Wednesday, April 30, in Vatican City.

The College of Cardinals, currently gathered in Rome for General Congregations ahead of the upcoming conclave, has issued a heartfelt appeal to all Catholics around the world to accompany them in prayer.

The Catholic Church in Bangladesh held a solemn Eucharistic celebration at Holy Rosary Church in Tejgaon on April 27.

In a moving expression of Christian solidarity, church leaders and faithful from various denominations gathered at Sacred Heart Cathedral for an Ecumenical Condolence Prayer Service in New Delhi on April 28.

The Jubilee of Persons with Disabilities began with a solemn Mass celebrated by Archbishop Rino Fisichella at the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, calling for greater inclusion and dignity for all people, especially those living with disabilities, on April 28.

The College of Cardinals gathered for their sixth General Congregation on April 29, Tuesday morning in the New Synod Hall, where 183 cardinals were present, including over 120 cardinal electors.

The Apostolic Vicariate of Kampong Cham held a solemn memorial Mass to mark the 100th day since the passing of Fr. François Ponchaud, MEP, renowned missionary and author of Cambodia Year Zero, on April 28.

The Catholic Church in Cambodia held a solemn memorial Mass on April 26 to honor the life and legacy of Pope Francis, who passed away on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025.

The archbishop of Singapore asked the faithful to spend more time in fervent prayer as the Church prepares for the conclave that will elect Pope Francis’ successor.

Asia has strengthened its influence within the Catholic Church, with 37 cardinals now part of the College of Cardinals as of April 2025, including 23 electors who will participate in the papal conclave set for May 7, 2025.

Ahead of the Philippine midterm elections on May 12, a Filipino from the northern Philippines reminded Catholics to condemn vote buying and refrain from voting for candidates coming from so-called political dynasties.

The Second Cybermission Congress, themed “I am GENTLE: Growing Emphatic, Nurturing, Truthful, Listening, Equitable,” is underway at the Communications Foundation for Asia in Sta. Mesa, Manila, gathering Catholic digital missionaries, communicators, and content creators from dioceses across the Philippines on April 28.

On August 28, the members of the Congregation of Holy Cross in Bangladesh inaugurated the Year of Mission in the presence of Brother Paul Bednarczyk, Superior General of the Order, in Dhaka.

As the Vatican announced the date of the conclave, a cardinal from Asia called upon Catholics to pray for papal electors.