Francis - a Pastor in the New World

 

On March 13, 2013 the world was introduced to Pope Francis. He was the first Pope from the Americas, the first Jesuit, and the first to take the name Francis. Within days he had captured the hearts of the world through his gestures of humility and care for the common man. Francis: The Pope From the New World unveils the personality, passion, and extraordinary faith of the new Pope.

This Is the Testament of Pope Francis. Full Text in English

Cardinals Decide to Suspend Beatifications Until Election of the New Pope

ZENIT Staff

Pope Francis, Bishops and Cardinals, Causes of Saints

Day and Time of the Funeral Mass for the Roman Pontiff Francis

ZENIT Staff

On Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., the first day of the Novendiary, the Funeral Mass of the Roman Pontiff Francis will be celebrated on the parvis of St. Peter’s Basilica, in accordance with the provisions of the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis (nos. 82-109).

When and at What Time Will Pope Francis’ Coffin Be Transferred to the Vatican Basilica? Here’s the Answer.

ZENIT Staff

The procession will pass through Santa Marta Square and the Square of the Roman Proto-Martyrs; from the Arch of the Bells it will exit to Saint Peter’s Square and enter the Vatican Basilica through the central door.

What Did the Pope Die Of? The Vatican Releases the Causes of Death

ZENIT Staff

The causes of death were cerebral apoplexy, coma, and irreversible cardiovascular collapse

Unpublished: This Is the Testament of Pope Francis. Full Text in English

ZENIT Staff

Thank you for reading our content. If you would like to receive ZENIT’s daily e-mail news, you can subscribe for free through this link.

Estimated Date on Which Pope Francis’s Body Will Be in the Basilica for the Homage of Catholics

ZENIT Staff

Wednesday, April 23rd would be the date on which Pope Francis would be in the Vatican Basilica for veneration by the faithful.

Declaration of Death and Placing of the Body of Pope Francis in the Coffin

ZENIT Staff

On the evening of Monday, April 21, at 8:00 p.m., Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, will preside over the Rite of Certification of Death and the Placing of the Body in the Coffin.

Holy See Press Release: Canonization of Carlo Acutis Is Suspended

ZENIT Staff

Canonization is suspended until further notice

“Thank you for bringing me back to the Square,”

“Thank you for bringing me back to the Square,”

he told Strappetti. It was more than gratitude for a physical return to a place. It was a recognition of something deeper—the heart of Francis’ mission: to walk with the people, touch their wounds, and meet them where they are. His papacy was never one of distance or protocol, but of proximity.

 

Make Christianity cool again: Why Gen Z is flocking to church

‘A bloke called Kevin from Dublin’: Irish-American cardinal who will run papal conclave 
The Guardian: Kevin Farrell rose through the ecclesiastical ranks to be made camerlengo by Pope Francis, whose death has thrust him into the global spotlight.

Veterans Affairs asks employees in email to report ‘anti-Christian bias’ 
Religion News Service: The email, prompted by an executive order signed by President Donald Trump in February, makes no mention of how to report bias or discrimination against other faiths. 
The Conversation: Claims of ‘anti-Christian bias’ sound to some voters like a message about race, not just religion

Make Christianity cool again: Why Gen Z is flocking to church 
The Independent: As a new report suggests that the number of young churchgoers has quadrupled, Helen Coffey investigates this potential UK spiritual revival — and asks why the next generation is more likely to be keeping the faith.

At nation’s largest Catholic Church, honoring ‘the pope of the people’* 
The Washington Post: Mourners young and old flocked to Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Northeast D.C.

Americans have higher church attendance standards than pastors 
Religion Unplugged: Most Americans may not regularly attend church themselves, but they have a higher threshold for calling someone a regular churchgoer than pastors. 

Los Angeles Archdiocese reports highest number of Easter converts in 10 years

Diocese of Buffalo will pay $150 million in sex abuse settlement

The Diocese of Buffalo, New York, will pay out a massive $150 million sum as part of a settlement with victims of clergy sexual abuse there.

Massimiliano Strappetti: The last man Pope Francis saw and thanked before his death

Before being appointed Pope Francis’ personal nurse in August 2022, Massimiliano Strappetti was the nursing coordinator for the Vatican’s health department.

Who are the many popes not buried in the Vatican?

Various factors are at play when it comes to the decision of a burial place for a pope. Pope Francis has chosen the Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore.

Los Angeles Archdiocese reports highest number of Easter converts in 10 years “We usually see a 10% increase from the year before,” Father Juan Ochoa said. “This year, it was about 45%. That’s significant.”

CNA explains: ‘Sede vacante’ and ‘interregnum’ — what do they mean?  A highly regulated process has now begun that will see Pope Francis’ earthly body laid to rest and a conclave convened to elect his successor.

WORSHIP WHERE YOU LOVE - SONOGO

 

What happens during the Vatican’s 9 days of mourning for the pope?

During oral arguments, Supreme Court seems to support parental opt-outs for LGBT coursework During oral arguments Tuesday, most of the justices on the United States Supreme Court appeared sympathetic toward parents in their lawsuit against a Maryland school board.

CNA explains: What happens during the Vatican’s 9 days of mourning for the pope?

Rooted in ancient Christian and Roman customs, the Novendiales is a period of nine consecutive days dedicated to mourning the death of a pope.

Two days before his death, Pope Francis made final call to pastor of Gaza parish

Father Gabriel Romanelli, the pastor of Holy Family Parish in Gaza, summed up Pope Francis’ last call on Saturday night, April 19,  moments before the Easter Vigil.

The last time the world saw Pope Francis

Pope Francis greeted the faithful around the world for the last time from St. Peter’s Basilica on the most important day for Christians: Easter.

Filipino cardinals preside over requiem Masses for Pope Francis before heading to Rome

Speaking to Catholic faithful gathered inside the Manila Cathedral, Cardinal José Advíncula said Filipinos should be “filled with gratitude” for the gift of Francis’ pontificate.

San Diego mourns death of Pope Francis at age 88

 

 

Former San Diego Bishop Cardinal Robert McElroy, now archbishop of the Washington diocese, praised Francis for “embracing love” which led the pope “to be a prophetic advocate for the poor and the dispossessed, the unborn and the immigrant, the victims of war and the earth which is our common home.”

Who will be next pope after Francis?

Who will be next pope after Francis? Key contenders ahead of conclave.*
The Washington Post: Ahead of the conclave to select the next pope, names circulating include cardinals Bo of Myanmar, Tagle of the Philippines and Italians Pizzaballa and Parolin.

How Francis, a progressive Pope, catalyzed the Catholic right in the U.S.*
The New York Times: His critics were fellow clergy as well as elected officials in the ascendant wing of the American Catholic political realm.

‘He felt our pain’: Catholic church in Gaza grieves Pope Francis’s death
The Guardian: Pope made nightly phone calls to the Holy Family Catholic church from the start of the war in October 2023.

Holding tickets for Rome, Vatican pilgrims pivot from saint canonization to papal funeral
Religion News Service: Tens of thousands of people planned to be at the Vatican this week for the canonization of Carlo Acutis, the first millennial saint.

White supremacy and the Latino vote*
The Christian Century: Journalist Paola Ramos takes a nuanced look at the world of right-wing Latinos, revealing the logic behind their ideology.

Crossroads of the Nations Japanese Ministry 04.20.2025

 

We are a multi-cultural and multi-congregations church worshiping God in multiple languages. We are blessed that God would give us each other to experience Him through the richness of cultural diversity. Most of the Japanese in Middle Tennessee are here temporarily as business families or researchers. Our vision and goal is to help them see the unconditional love of Christ and hear His living Word. We are here to help their felt needs such as improving English, being a friend, and helping them to adjust. In our time together we also share the Word of God. Our prayer is for their salvation and know we can be a part of their journey if the Lord so grants. It would be great if they join the afternoon Japanese/English Sunday services to familiarize themselves with worship and fellowship. This would make it easier for them to pursue the same in Japan when they return. We can refer them to fellowships in Japan.