Pope Francis, elected in 2013, chose his name in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, the 13th-century Italian friar who renounced his wealth. Francis died of a stroke and irreversible heart failure on ...

Pope Francis was laid to rest Saturday at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome after dying at 88 years old on April 21. More than 250,000 people turned out to bid farewell to the 266th pope of ...

Francis, who took his name after Saint Francis of Assisi, was known for his outreach to the poor and those in poverty and that will be reflected in his minimalist burial at Saint Mary Major.

Going to Catholic school, we all knew our patron saints. Mine happened to be St. Francis of Assisi. Even at a young age, I thought it was a good fit due to my Italian heritage and my love and ...

Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re remembered Francis' "open heart towards everyone." At his funeral, Pope Francis was remembered and venerated as a pontiff with "strength and serenity" who modeled his ...

The chapel next to where Francis was being buried is home to a Byzantine-style icon of the Madonna, the Salus Populi Romani. Francis was particularly devoted, and reportedly would pray before the ...