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Black smoke after the 1st ballot signaled that cardinals have yet to elect Pope Francis’ successor. Voting resumes tomorrow 👉

Catholic leaders have criticized President Trump for posting an AI image of himself as pope, calling it offensive amid papal mourning 👉President Donald Trump has drawn strong criticism from Catholic leaders after sharing an AI-generated image of himself dressed in papal attire on his Truth Social platform. The image, which shows Trump in a white cassock and miter, was later reposted by the White House’s official account on X on May 3. The post was made just over a week after Pope Francis’s funeral and days before the Vatican’s May 7 conclave to elect his successor. Trump had earlier told reporters, “I’d like to be pope. That would be my No. 1 choice.” Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York, who is in Rome for the conclave, responded, “Well, you know, it wasn’t good,” adding, “I hope he didn’t have anything to do with that” (CBS News New York, May 4). Bishop Thomas Paprocki of Springfield, Illinois, said the image was “deeply offensive” and added, “He owes an apology,” citing Galatians 6:7: “‘God is not mocked.’” The New York State Catholic Conference issued a statement on X: “There is nothing clever or funny about this image, Mr. President. … Do not mock us.” While some allies defended the post as humor, the Vatican’s press office declined to comment.

Pope Francis directed Caritas to turn his popemobile into a mobile clinic for Gaza’s children 👉

Sister Inah Canabarro Lucas, a Brazilian nun and the world’s oldest living person, died April 30 at age 116 in Porto Alegre, Brazil 👉

The previously unseen letter compares marriage to tango, urges comprehensive preparation & is one of Pope Francis’ final pastoral messages to young Catholics 👉

A posthumous video released shortly after his funeral shows Pope Francis' heartfelt advice to youth on the art of listening 👉

The Vatican has confirmed the May 7th start date for the conclave, gathering 135 cardinals to select Pope Francis’ successor 👉

A simple marble tomb bearing only "Franciscus" and his pectoral cross awaits Pope Francis at Rome's Basilica of St. Mary Major 👉

Pope Francis' testament reveals his final wish for a modest burial at Rome’s Marian Basilica, honoring his lifelong Marian devotion 👉

Italian diocesan and Lourdes authorities have confirmed Antonietta Raco’s unexplained recovery from primary lateral sclerosis as the shrine’s 72nd miracle! 🙌