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Claretian priest reflects on transformation of Church in Equatorial Guinea

Fr Inocencio Moisés, a Claretian in Malabo, reflects on the significance of Pope Leo XIV’s presence in the Catholic-majority country, and he highlights key ways the Church in Equatorial Guinea has changed since the last visit by a Pope in 1982.

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Israeli military helps replace damaged crucifix in Lebanon, punishes soldiers who destroyed it

Two soldiers involved will receive 30 days of military detention, Israeli authorities said.

Spanish Bishops’ Conference president concerned about polarization affecting Church and society

Archbishop Luis Argüello pointed to the harmful effects of oversimplifying issues and taking positions based on emotional reactions, which can lead to polarization and prevent constructive dialogue.

Pope at hospital in Equatorial Guinea: Small acts of kindness are ‘hidden’ poems of life

At the Jean Pierre Olie Psychiatric Hospital in Malabo, Pope Leo highlights the call of all hospitals, especially ones with a Christian mission, to be a civilization of love “where a person is welcomed as they are and respected in their frailty.”

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Pope Leo: 'Pope Francis was a devoted shepherd who touched so many hearts'

Pope Leo XIV remembers Pope Francis on the first anniversary of his passing, saying that the late Pope "remained a disciple of the Lord, faithful to his Baptism and to his consecration in episcopal ministry, until the end."

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Pope Leo XIV in Equatorial Guinea warns against profaning God’s name through domination

Pontiff said the Church’s social doctrine offers guidance for confronting inequality, resource exploitation, war, and technological upheaval.

Pope in Equatorial Guinea: Christ manifests harmony between faith and reason

During his meeting with the World of Culture in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea at the National University's León XIV Campus, Pope Leo reiterates the perfect complementarity between faith and reason, and criticizes when Christ is reduced to 'a religious escape in the face of intellectual endeavors.'

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Former abortion clinic director exposes Planned Parenthood in new book

In a new book, Mayra Rodríguez, who worked for Planned Parenthood for 15 years, tells the story of her conversion from abortion clinic director to pro-life advocate.

The journey that reveals the pontificate

The desire to visit Africa first reveals the heart of the missionary Pope.

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One year ago today: The pope from the peripheries died on Easter Monday

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- One year ago today, Pope Francis died at 7:35 a.m., April 21, 2025.

It came the day after Easter, when -- barely able to raise his hands -- he gave his blessing "urbi et orbi" (to the city and the world). Looking drawn and worn, the 88-year-old pope from Argentina took his final ride in the popemobile, spending about 15 minutes among the crowd.

But then, the next morning, which was a major holiday in Italy, church bells in Rome tolled the death knell after U.S. Cardinal Kevin J. Farrell, chamberlain of the Holy Roman Church, announced that Pope Francis had died just a few hours ago. 

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Cardinal Kevin Farrell, "camerlengo" or chamberlain of the Holy Roman Church, announced the death of Pope Francis from the Domus Sanctae Marthae, where the pope lived, at the Vatican April 21, 2025. Standing with him are Cardinal Pietro Parolin, former Vatican secretary of state; Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra, substitute for general affairs of the Secretariat of State; and Archbishop Diego Ravelli, master of papal liturgical ceremonies. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)

"His whole life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and his church," Cardinal Farrell said in a video announcement broadcast from the chapel of the Domus Sanctae Marthae, where Pope Francis lived.

The Wikimedia Foundation said that its "Deaths in 2025" entry, which included Pope Francis, was their second most-read entry during the year. And plenty of people took the occasion to learn more about his life too, adding that "His English Wikipedia article was the 11th most-read (page) of the year."

Following in the footsteps of his predecessors, Pope Francis was an untiring voice for peace, urging an end to armed conflict, supporting dialogue and encouraging reconciliation.

He gave new energy to millions of Catholics -- and caused concern for some -- as he transformed the image of the papacy into a pastoral ministry based on personal encounters and strong convictions about poverty, mission and dialogue.

His simple lifestyle, which included his decision not to live in the Apostolic Palace and his choice of riding around Rome in a small Fiat or Ford instead of a Mercedes sedan, sent a message of austerity to Vatican officials and clergy throughout the church. 

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Rain and wind hit Copacabana beach as Pope Francis addresses World Youth Day pilgrims at a welcoming ceremony in Rio de Janeiro July 25, 2013. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

Although he repeatedly said he did not like to travel, he made 47 foreign trips, taking his message of the Gospel joy to North and South America, Europe, Africa and Asia.

He was elected after Pope Benedict XVI retired in 2013. Then-Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was already a known and respected figure within the College of Cardinals, so much so that no one disputed a respected Italian journal's report that he had received the second-highest number of votes on all four ballots cast in the 2005 conclave that had elected Pope Benedict.

Elected on March 13, 2013, Cardinal Bergoglio chose the name Francis to honor St. Francis of Assisi.

"Go out" was Pope Francis' constant plea to every Catholic, from curial cardinals to the people in the pews. More than once, he told people that while the Bible presents Jesus as knocking at the door of people's hearts to get in, today Jesus is knocking at the doors of parish churches trying to get out and among the people.
 

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One Year Later: The Legacy of Pope Francis Revealed

One Year Later: The Legacy of Pope Francis Revealed

A look back at the papacy of Pope Francis.