Cardinal Robert F. Prevost, a Chicago-born missionary with decades of service in Peru, has been elected as Pope Leo XIV, the first North American pope. Known for his humility, global outlook, and deep compassion, he follows in the footsteps of Pope Francis with a vision of a Church that is inclusive, peace-seeking, and close to the poor.

On 7–8 May 2025, 133 cardinal electors convened in the Sistine Chapel for a historic conclave to elect the 267th pope. Following sacred rites and solemn prayers, black smoke on the first day signalled no decision, but by the second evening, white smoke and ringing bells announced: Habemus Papam — we have a pope.

By Justin McLellan , Catholic News Service The College of Cardinals has 252 members, but only 135 of them - those who were under 80 when Pope Francis died April 21 -- are eligible to enter the conclave May 7, 2025, to elect a new pope. The country count may differ based on whether one considers where the cardinal was born or where he exercises his ministry. Graphic: CNS/Jerome Podojil, USCC...

Reflecting on Pope Francis’ historic election in 2013 as the first Jesuit, first Latin American, and first non-European pope in over a millennium, Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB praised Pope Francis’ bold pastoral approach and deep personal witness.

The cover of "Hope," described as an autobiography by Pope Francis, is seen in October 2024, the date an Italian publisher announced its worldwide publication scheduled for 14 January 2025, including by Viking in the United Kingdom. Photo: CNS/courtesy Viking. While calling himself an "old man" and saying he never expected to be pope this long, the now deceased Pope Francis said he still ha...

The instructions are found in St John Paul II’s 1996 Apostolic Constitution, Univer-si Dominici Gregis, which was revised by Pope Benedict XVI in 2007 and again just before he resigned in 2013.

“Together with the risen Jesus,” Pope Francis wrote his final message to the world on Easter Sunday 20 April, those who trust in God “become pilgrims of hope, witnesses of the victory of love and of the disarmed power of life.”

In a three-part series exclusive to The Record, Dr Marco Ceccarelli takes an in-depth look at the life works of Pope Francis.

Never the one to lose hope, explains Ceccarelli, Pope Francis answered to problems within and outside of the Church by prescribing a culture of encounter and dialogue between people of good will.

Pope Francis’ campaign against clericalism was waged when meeting both ordinary parish priests and “princes of the church,” as cardinals once were known.

This is a timeline of the life of Pope Francis. Photo: OSV News graphic/Chelsea Alt.