Pope Francis's funeral begins in Vatican City at 4 a.m. ET on Saturday and will end with his burial in Rome. Here's what to know about the day's events — and how Francis is breaking with tradition.
The conclave to select a new pope will be sharply different from the body that chose Francis in 2013. Experts say that could make it harder to predict what the conclave will do.
Pope Francis called to check in on a Christian congregation in Gaza sheltering at their church almost every night since the Gaza war began. "Today we feel like we are orphans," a spokesperson says.
In the weeks that follow the passing of a pontiff, the city of Rome, and the Vatican in particular, comes alive with discussions over which man is best suited to next lead the church.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Pope Francis died Monday, the day after Easter, at the age of 88. As the leader of the Roman Catholic Church, he was the first Latin American pontiff, the first non-European pope in more than a millennium, and he left behind a legacy of service, unity, and compassion.
NPR's Sylvia Poggioli spent over four decades covering Rome. During her time, she covered the last three popes. But Poggioli shared something special in common with Pope Francis.
