Skip to content
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
The Baptist Paper
The Baptist Paper
  • The Kids Edition
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Sunday School Lessons
  • Classifieds
  • The Kids Edition
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Sunday School Lessons
  • Classifieds

Pope Francis’ funeral: Next steps for Catholic Church?

World leaders and thousands of Catholic faithful gathered April 26 to mourn Pope Francis, whose funeral was held in St. Peter’s Square.
  • April 28, 2025
  • The Baptist Paper
  • International News, Latest News
(Screenshot/NBC News)

Pope Francis’ funeral: Next steps for Catholic Church?

World leaders and a crowd of thousands gathered Saturday (April 26) to mourn Pope Francis, whose funeral was held in St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City.

About 250,000 people attended the Mass, with another 150,000 lining the motorcade route to St. Mary Major Basilica, where the crowd welcomed his simple wooden coffin, the Associated Press reported.

World leaders

U.S. President Donald Trump, U.K. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky were among the dignitaries who attended the funeral.

Francis, remembered by many as a “humble” pastor, died on April 21 after reportedly suffering a stroke and heart failure.

Next steps

Following tradition, the College of Cardinals will convene in a conclave — likely in early May — to elect his successor, with 135 eligible cardinals voting. The process, steeped in secrecy and ceremony, could take days or longer depending on how soon a two-thirds consensus is reached, CNN reported.

See related headlines below:

Mighty and meek say farewell to Pope Francis during Vatican funeral and last popemobile ride -Associated Press

Pope Francis laid to rest after 250,000 attend funeral service -CNN

Trump, Zelensky, world leaders among 200K to attend Pope Francis’ funeral -Christianity Today

The links above are a sampling of headlines related to story and are not an endorsement of all viewpoints or reporting.


EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was compiled from multiple media reports by The Baptist Paper. 

Share with others:

Facebook
X/Twitter
LinkedIn
Email
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email

Latest News

  • The Baptist Paper reaches 5-year print edition milestone
    The Baptist Paper reaches 5-year print edition milestone
    May 6, 2026/
    0 Comments
  • Church appeals street evangelism ban in UK
    Church appeals street evangelism ban in UK
    May 6, 2026/
    0 Comments
  • Data shows many non-religious are also not spiritually curious
    Data shows many non-religious are also not spiritually curious
    May 6, 2026/
    0 Comments

Sign up for the Highlights

Get all latest content delivered to your email a few times a month.
Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

Related Posts

The Baptist Paper reaches 5-year print edition milestone

Five years ago, The Baptist Paper launched as a national printed newspaper. It had been talked about “through the years,” said Jennifer Davis Rash, president and editor-in-chief of TAB Media Group, publisher of The Alabama Baptist, now in its 183rd year of publication.

Church appeals street evangelism ban in UK

A British evangelical church is fighting a legal notice that could criminalize aspects of its street preaching.  

Data shows many non-religious are also not spiritually curious

Recent research paints a sobering picture of faith in America: The religiously unaffiliated are growing, theological convictions are weakening and the “spiritual” population remains a relatively small group.

Annual Church Profile: Amid falling membership in SBC, baptisms increase for 5th consecutive year

While fewer members belong to Southern Baptist congregations, more people are attending worship services and small groups and are being baptized.

Want to receive news highlights throughout the week? Sign up here!

Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

About

  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us
  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us

Explore

  • The Kids Edition
  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • The Kids Edition
  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos

Submissions

  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy
  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy

Subscribe

  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
The Baptist Paper
Address:
3310 Independence Dr.
Birmingham, AL 35209
Copyright © 2026 TAB Media Group
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ

Email:
news@thebaptistpaper.org

About

  • Our Team
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Donate
  • Contact us
  • Hosted Church
  • Our Team
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Donate
  • Contact us
  • Hosted Church

Explore

  • The Kids Edition
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your State News
  • Persecuted Church
  • Editorials
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Archive
  • Submit your news
  • The Kids Edition
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your State News
  • Persecuted Church
  • Editorials
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Archive
  • Submit your news

Subscribe

  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Subscribe
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Subscribe

Hi reader.
We’re a nonprofit Christian news ministry. 
Our mission is to provide grace-filled, trustworthy journalism from a Christian worldview. We make our reporting freely available online because we believe people should have access to reliable information.

Reader support helps sustain this work, offset rising costs, and allow us to continue providing affordable resources to churches and ministries. If you value this work, would you consider supporting our mission today?

Support Our Ministry

Log Out?

Lost your password?

Log In

Lost your password?

Log in

Become a part of our community!
Forgot your password? Get help
Privacy/Terms of Use

Reset password

Recover your password
A password reset link will be e-mailed to you.
Privacy/Terms of Use
Back to
Login
×
Close Panel