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Pope Francis

This Month

Donald Trump shared on social media what appeared to be an artificial intelligence-generated photo of himself wearing the traditional vestments of the Pope.

Trump posts image of himself as Pope

The idea of ‘Pope Trump’, as some called it, was immediately polarising. Some Catholics did not see the humour in it.

Cardinals attend a mass on the fifth of nine days of official mourning for the late Pope Francis.

Nazi gold, organised crime: New pope faces unholy financial crisis

The late pontiff sought to battle corruption, but his successor faces a steep challenge in balancing the books.

April

Ralph Fiennes in Conclave.

Journalist Paul Kelly repents over Conclave quote error

It’s hardly a cardinal sin, but The Australian’s veteran scribe has put one of Ralph Fiennes’ key lines in the mouth of Father Frank Brennan.

Cardinal convicted over London property scandal drops out of conclave

Angelo Becciu, 76, withdrew from the secretive Vatican meeting after reportedly being shown requests signed by the late Pope Francis saying he should not vote.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky meets with French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Donald Trump.

Hushed chats, willful snubs: Geopolitics on show at Pope’s funeral

Dozens of leaders from around the world gathered for the pontiff’s funeral, but all eyes were on Donald Trump to see who he would greet and who he might avoid.

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Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky President Donald Trump talk before the funeral in the Vatican.

Trump turns on Putin after Vatican meeting with Zelensky

The president’s comments come after he met Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky at the pope’s funeral in that was described as a “very productive discussion”.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky President Donald Trump, talk before the funeral in the Vatican.

Trump, Zelensky meet in Rome as Pope Francis buried

World leaders and hundreds of thousands of Catholic faithful farewelled the pontiff in a funeral that highlighted his concern for the most marginalised.

Bychok says Ukrainians, more than anyone, are people of hope.

Australia’s lone Cardinal in Rome for Pope’s funeral

Melbourne-based Cardinal Mykola Bychok will also participate in the conclave to select a new pope.

Donald Trump, pictured in May 2017 – during his first term as US president – with Pope Francis at the Vatican.

Pope Francis often criticised Trump. He knew how to charm him, too

Fundamental differences between the two men led to some fiery public clashes. But both knew how to excite a crowd – and popularity is a currency Trump respects.

Mourners queue to pay their respects to the late Pope Francis at St Peter’s Basilica.

MAGA Catholics move to take back control of the church

A growing number of Americans hope that Pope Francis’ death will mark a decisive conservative shift for the papacy.

Cardinals Luis Antonio Tagle (left) from the Philippines and Italy’s Pietro Parolin are the current frontrunners in betting on the new pope.

Favourites jostle in multimillion-dollar papal betting market

Filipino cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle has a 26 per cent chance of becoming the next pope, according to prediction markets.

Girls play next to a mural of the late Pope Francis in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Pope Francis brought humanity but leaves a church in decline

Modelling a different kind of leadership to that of his predecessors, Francis intended to break the cycle of decay. What unfolded next was very different.

Pope Francis in a casket in the Vatican.

Who will attend Pope Francis’ funeral?

Cardinals met at the Vatican on Tuesday to schedule proceedings, and plan the conclave to elect his successor, as world leaders prepared to pay their respects.

Andrew Forrest and Basil Zempilas make sure we know they met the Pope

Pope Francis’ lessons on modesty, service and getting the job done are lost on the rich and not-so-famous.

Hometown boy. A view of the obelisk of Buenos Aires illuminated with a projection of Pope Francis.

Argentines mourn ‘humble’ pope and native son

Grief-stricken Argentines marked what many considered a deeply personal loss in churches, with flowers, hand-scrawled messages and eclectic tokens of affection.

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Anthony Albanese departs St Patrick’s Cathedral in Melbourne on Tuesday.

Papal pause comes at worst time for Dutton

Anthony Albanese, who has re-embraced his Catholic faith in recent years, has been ahead of the opposition leader in responding to Pope Francis’ death.

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ASX drops; Macquarie sells arm for $2.8b; Who will be the next pope?

Read everything that’s happened in the news so far today.

Inside the ultra-secretive conclave to choose a pope

More than 100 cardinals will be locked inside the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel to select the next head of the Catholic Church. The process could take days.

Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, and Pope Francis give the popular hand sign for “I love you” in Manila in 2015.

Will a ‘young’ Filipino become the next pope?

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, 67, is often mentioned among Catholic Church liberals – but his age may actually count against him.

A faithful holds an image of Pope Francis during a mass for his passing at the Basilica of Guadalupe on April 21, 2025 in Mexico City.

A pope who gave hope for saving the planet

A pontiff for our times who championed social justice, responded to the climate crisis, and threw the door of the church wide open to the world.

Original URL: https://www.afr.com/person/pope-francis-jpa