The Catholic College of Cardinals (the body of all cardinals of the Catholic Church) convening to elect a new pope is one of the oldest methods of electing a head of state that remains in use to the ...

MPs from across the political spectrum also paid tribute to Francis, with several noting his compassion for the poor and refugees.

Pope Francis' last public appearance came on Easter Sunday, just a day before his death. He emerged to bless thousands of people in St Peter’s Square in Vatican City, which drew wild cheers and ...

The leader of Catholics in England and Wales has paid tribute to Pope Francis as “a voice proclaiming the innate dignity of every human being”. A senior Vatican official announced the pontiff died on ...