Philip Pullella is a reporter for Reuters.
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A List of Possible Successors for Next Pope
Pope Francis speaks to Marseille’s archbishop Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline, at a mass at the Velodrome Stadium, as a part of his journey on the occasion of the Mediterranean Meetings in Marseille, France, Sept. 23, 2023. Vatican Media/Handout via REUTERS
An old Italian saying warns against putting faith, or money, in any presumed front-runner ahead of the conclave, the closed-door gathering of cardinals that picks the pontiff. It cautions: “He who enters a conclave as a pope, leaves it as a cardinal.”
But here are some cardinals who are being talked about as “papabili” to succeed Pope Francis, whose death at the age of 88 was announced by the Vatican on Monday.
‘Indiscriminately Striking’ Civilians Is War Crime, Pope Says
Pope Francis leads the Angelus prayer at the Vatican, January 7, 2024. Vatican Media/Handout via Reuters
Pope Francis, tackling conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine in his yearly address to diplomats, said on Monday that “indiscriminately striking” civilians is a war crime because it violates international humanitarian law.
Vatican Moves To Calm Bishops Over Same-sex Blessings Approval
A rainbow flag is seen on the wall of a Catholic church in Cologne, Germany as the building is open for same-sex couples to receive a blessing. REUTERS/Thilo Schmuelgen/File Photo
The Vatican on Thursday moved to calm Catholic bishops in some countries who have balked over last month's approval of blessings for same-sex couples, telling them that the measure is not “heretical” or “blasphemous.” In a five-page statement, the Vatican's doctrinal office also acknowledged that such blessings could be “imprudent” in some countries where people who receive them might become targets of violence, or risk prison or even death.
Pope Francis Approves Blessings for Same-sex Couples — in Some Cases
Pope Francis leads the Angelus prayer from his window at the Vatican on Dec. 17, 2023. REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane/File Photo
The Vatican said on Monday in a landmark ruling approved by Pope Francis that Roman Catholic priests can administer blessings to same-sex couples as long as they are not part of regular church rituals or liturgies.
Pope Strips Conservative U.S. Cardinal of Vatican Privileges, Vatican Official Says
Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke of the United States leaves after receiving his ring from Pope Benedict XVI during the Consistory ceremony in Saint Peter's Basilica at the Vatican on Nov. 21, 2010. REUTERS/Tony Gentile
Pope Francis has removed some of the Vatican privileges of conservative American Cardinal Raymond Burke, including a large, subsidized apartment and his salary, a senior Vatican official said on Tuesday.
Vatican To Replace Entire Fleet with Electric Vehicles by 2030
Pope Francis greets the faithful from his Popemobile ahead of a large mass in Marseille, France, on Sept. 23, 2023. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier/File Photo
The Vatican on Wednesday signed an agreement with German carmaker Volkswagen to replace the city-state’s entire car fleet with electric vehicles by 2030.
Vatican Says Transgender People Can Be Baptized, Serve as Godparents
Argentine Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, who signed the Dicastery of the Doctrine of Faith’s document regarding LGBTQ+ inclusion in marriage and baptism sacraments, poses as he meets with relatives and friends during a courtesy visit following his appointment by the Pope Francis, during a Consistory ceremony for the creation of 21 new cardinals on Sept. 30, 2023 at St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican. Photo by Eric Vandeville/ABACAPRESS.COM via Reuters.
Transgender people can be godparents at Roman Catholic baptisms, witnesses at religious weddings, and receive baptism themselves, the Vatican’s doctrinal office said on Wednesday, responding to questions from a bishop.
Human Causes of Climate Change Cannot Be Denied, New Papal Document Says
The document, known as an apostolic exhortation, titled "Laudate Deum," written by Pope Francis, is displayed in a bookshop near the Vatican in Rome, Italy, October 4, 2023. REUTERS/Remo Casill
Pope Francis on Wednesday appealed to climate change deniers and foot-dragging politicians to have a change of heart, saying they cannot gloss over its human causes or deride scientific facts while the planet “may be nearing the breaking point.”
Ukrainian Catholic Bishops Rebuke Pope Over His Russia Comments
Pope Francis attends a meeting with bishops of the Synod of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church at the Vatican, Sept. 6, 2023. Vatican Media/Handout via REUTERS
Ukraine’s Eastern Rite Catholic bishops bluntly told Pope Francis at a meeting on Wednesday that some of his comments about Russia had caused great pain and were being used by Moscow to justify a “a murderous ideology.”
Pope, at Youth Summit, Says He’ll Continue to “Stir Things Up”
Pope Francis accompanied by Portugal's President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa (R) at the end of a meeting at Belem Palace in Lisbon, Portugal, Aug., 2, 2023. The Pontiff will be in Portugal on the occasion of World Youth Day (WYD), one of the main events of the Church that gathers the Pope with youngsters from around the world, that takes place until Aug. 6. ANDRE KOSTERS/Pool via REUTERS
Pope Francis promised on Wednesday to continue to “stir things up” in the church as he arrived in Portugal to preside at a mass gathering of young Catholics aimed at energizing a new generation of believers.
Pope Francis Says Condemning Sexual Abusers Is Loving the ‘Enemy’
Pope Francis leaves at the end of the weekly general audience in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican, May 3, 2023. REUTERS/Remo Casilli
Sexual abusers are disgusting “enemies” who deserve to be condemned and punished — but also deserve Christian love and pastoral care because they too are children of God, Pope Francis said.
Pope Allows Women To Vote at Bishops Meeting for First Time
Pope Francis leaves following the weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on April 26, 2023. REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane
Pope Francis, in a historic move that could lead to more inclusiveness in decision-making in the Roman Catholic Church, will allow women to vote for the first time at a global meeting of bishops in October. In the past, women were allowed to attend the synods, a papal advisory body, as auditors but with no right to vote.
Nicaragua Closes Vatican Embassies
Nicaraguan Cardinal Leopoldo Brenes leads a mass at the Metropolitan Cathedral, as a suspension of diplomatic ties between Nicaragua and the Vatican has been proposed according to a Nicaragua’s foreign ministry statement, in Managua, Nicaragua March 12, 2023. REUTERS/Stringer
Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega has ordered the closure of the Vatican Embassy in Managua and that of the Nicaraguan Embassy to the Vatican in Rome, a senior Vatican source said on Sunday.
Pope Francis Marks 10th Anniversary with Mass and Podcast
Pope Francis attends the Ash Wednesday mass at the Santa Sabina Basilica in Rome on February 22, 2023. REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane/File Photo
Pope Francis marks 10 years as head of the Roman Catholic Church on Monday celebrating Mass with cardinals in the chapel of the Vatican's Santa Marta hotel where he has lived since his election.
‘With Shame and Unambiguously’ Pope Begs Forgiveness for Indigenous Schools
Pope Francis is welcomed by some elders of the First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples during his visit to the Church dedicated to Our Lady of Seven Sorrows a Edmonton, July 25, 2022. Vatican Media/Catholic Press Photo.
Pope Francis on Monday made good on a promise to apologize to Canada’s native people on their home land for the Church’s role in schools where Indigenous children were abused, branding forced cultural assimilation “evil” and a “disastrous error.”
Vatican Radically Overhauls Investment Policies
A general view is seen as Pope Francis holds a mass in St. Peter’s Square for the World Meeting of Families at the Vatican, June 25, 2022. REUTERS/Remo Casilli
The Vatican on Tuesday issued an overarching investments policy to ensure they are ethical, green, low-risk, and avoid weapons industries or health sectors involved in abortion, contraception, or embryonic stem cells.
Pope Francis to Give Women Role in Selecting Bishops
Pope Francis speaks during an exclusive interview with Reuters, at the Vatican, July 2, 2022. REUTERS/Remo Casilli
Pope Francis said he wants to give women more top-level positions in the Holy See and disclosed that for the first time he would name women to a previously all-male Vatican committee that helps him select the world’s bishops.
Pope Francis Defends Vatican’s Compromise With Chinese Government
Pope Francis speaks during an exclusive interview with Reuters, at the Vatican, July 2, 2022. REUTERS/Remo Casilli
Pope Francis said that while the Vatican’s secret and contested agreement with China on the appointment of Roman Catholic bishops is not ideal, he hopes it can be renewed in October because the church takes the long view.
Ukrainians Want Russians Removed From Pope’s Good Friday Procession
People take part in the Via Crucis (Way of the Cross) procession led by Pope Francis during Good Friday celebrations at Rome’s Colosseum on April 19, 2019. REUTERS/Remo Casilli
The Vatican’s decision to have both Ukrainians and Russians take part in Pope Francis’ “Way of the Cross” procession on Friday has caused friction with Ukrainian Catholic leaders, who want it to be reconsidered.
Pope Honors Journalists, Says He’s Willing to Visit Kyiv
Pope Francis holds a news conference aboard the papal plane on his flight back after visiting Malta, April 3, 2022.
Pope Francis paid tribute on Sunday to journalists killed during the Ukraine war saying he hoped God would reward them for serving the common good whatever side they were on.