In a pre-conclave meeting, an Italian cardinal, and backer of Cardinal Parolin as next pope, attacked Pope Francis for opening positions of responsibility in the church to men and women not in holy orders.

An exclusive interview with Archbishop Costelloe about the legacy of Pope Francis and what he hopes for from the conclave

The conclave to elect the next pope will open on May 7, Vatican officials announced today. The cardinals meeting in plenary assembly (called general congregations) in the Vatican decided the date this morning, April 28.

Cardinal Becciu issued a statement the morning of April 29 saying, “I have decided to obey—as I have always done—the will of Pope Francis not to enter the conclave, while remaining convinced of my innocence.”

Francis has always been known as “the pope of surprises.”

Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re’s homily for the funeral of Pope Francis.