KAMPALA, UGANDA | THE INDEPENDENT | In his fourth round of episcopal appointments and resignations since assuming the papacy, Pope Leo XIV has reassigned Archbishop Luigi Bianco, who has been serving as the Apostolic Nuncio to Uganda since 2019. According to a bulletin released by the Holy See Press Office, the …
Read More »Why Popes change names after elections?
ROME, ITALY | THE INDEPENDENT | A longstanding tradition in the Vatican has it that Popes change their names from their baptismal name after their election. The first act of the new Pope, immediately after accepting his canonical election as Supreme Pontiff and before fulfilling other obligations, is the choice …
Read More »STEP BY STEP: The hour before Pope Leo XIV appeared in St. Peter’s Square
Vatican, Italy | THE INDEPENDENT | At exactly 7:10 p.m., white smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel’s chimney, signalling to the world that a new Pope had been elected. A wave of applause erupted among the thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square and millions viewing from different means across the …
Read More »🟥NEW POPE: IT IS POPE LEO XIV
It is Cardinal Robert F. Prevost who has been serving as the Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops. Vatican, Rome | VATICAN NEWS | The 133 Cardinal electors gathered in the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel have elected a new Pope. Pope Leo XIV, 69 years old, has just appeared at the central window …
Read More »The history of the names of the Successors of Peter
Vatican, Rome | VATICAN NEWS | The first act of the new Pope, immediately after accepting his canonical election as Supreme Pontiff and before fulfilling other obligations, is the choice of his name. This name is announced by the Cardinal Protodeacon after the famous formula “Habemus Papam”, followed by the …
Read More »BLACK SMOKE: No Pope elected, voting continues tomorrow
Black smoke has emerged at the Vatican, indicating no Pope has been elected. Vatican, Rome | THE INDEPENDENT | Black smoke signaled the end of the first day of the conclave at 21:00 local time, hours after the doors of the Sistine Chapel were closed with the words, “Extra omnes” …
Read More »Sistine Chapel set for conclave on Wednesday
Vatican, Rome | THE INDEPENDENT | The chimney atop the Sistine Chapel has been installed ahead of the upcoming conclave that will elect the 267th Pope following the death of Pope Francis. The Vatican Press Office over the weekend released images and videos showing the Vatican fire brigade atop the chapel’s …
Read More »Cardinals discuss economic situation of the Holy See at General Congregation
Vatican, Rome | VATICAN NEWS | The Director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni, told reporters on Wednesday that 180 Cardinals attended the seventh General Congregation, of whom 124 were Cardinal electors. In the first part of the meeting, the Cardinals discussed the economic and financial situation of …
Read More »How Pope Francis was buried
Vatican, Rome | THE INDEPENDENT & VATICAN NEWS | Pope Francis was buried in the side aisle of the Basilica of St Mary Major, between the Pauline Chapel, where his beloved icon of Our Lady ‘Salus Populi Romani’ is located, and the Sforza Chapel. The Pope is the first in over …
Read More »Pope Francis: 50 Heads of State, 10 monarchs to attend Vatican funeral
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | At least 50 heads of state and 10 reigning monarchs have confirmed attendance at the Pope’s Funeral scheduled on Saturday, the Vatican has said. Pope Francis’ coffin is lying in state at St Peter’s for a third day on Friday for the people to …
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