Vatican City 

Pope Francis died on Easter Monday, 21 April 2025, at the age of 88 at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta; he dedicated his last Easter Urbi et Orbi message to calling for peace worldwide, for global disarmament and the release of prisoners

Today the Secretary of State, Cardinal Parolin, will preside over the special Mass in the Vatican commemorating the 20th anniversary of the death of Pope Saint John Paul II; Pope Francis has sent his encouragement to those partaking in the commemorations

Peter is Here, a Minecraft video game, has been unveiled; developed with Microsoft Minecraft Education programme in the frame of the jubelee for younger generations, it lets players explore St. Peter’s Basilica, learning about its wonders and heritage

The England and Wales Cricket Board has apologized after it reposted a message from the account of Pope Francis for the beginning of Lent "The #Ashes remind us of who we are, which does us good" and suggested the pontiff was a fan of the Ashes series

Guy Consolmagno, the director of the Vatican Observatory, has published a new book entitled A Jesuit’s Guide to the Stars; the book combines personal reflection with a detailed history of Jesuit engagement with astronomy

Pope Francis, 88, was admitted to Rome's Gemelli Hospital yesterday with a severe respiratory infection that caused pneumonia in both lungs and requires evolving treatment

Cardinal Parolin, reaffirming that the presence of Christians in the Middle East is essential, held a meeting in Amman with papal representatives of ME nations, in which he called for a ceasefire “on every front”, and spoke to Lebanon's new president

Over half a million pilgrims from across the globe have passed through St Peter’s Basilica's Holy Door since the Jubilee Year 2025 began two weeks ago

The Holy Door of the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major has been opened after the one in St. John Lateran, marking the start of the Jubilee Year 2025; Pope Francis had opened the Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica and the Holy Door of the Rebibbia Prison

New webpage "Work with Us", job applications for laypeople who wish to apply for vacancies at the Holy See, has been launched by the Secretariat for the Economy; appropriate competence, motivation, and an ethical sense are required for all positions

A new led illumination of the 140 Saint Statues on the Colonnade of St Peter's Square, 14 Water Houses for free drinking water and an app to locate the city's water sources are some of the initiatives to be launched for the upcoming Jubilee of Hope

Pope Francis issued an appeal to state leaders and to the international community to ensure a ceasefire 'on all war fronts' may be reached before Christmas