Vatican City

Pope Francis joined tens of thousands of faithful in bidding farewell to Benedict XVI at a rare requiem Mass Thursday for a dead pope presided over by a living one, ending an unprecedented decade for the Catholic Church that was triggered by the German theologian’s decision to retire.

The Vatican says a written account of the history-making papacy of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI will be placed alongside his body in his coffin for burial Wednesday.

Tens of thousands of people have filed by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI’s body as it lies in state in St. Peter’s Basilica. Many of the first viewers on Monday were tourists, pilgrims or Romans who lined up near St. Peter’s Square before dawn. The Vatican said that by the time the first day’s viewing had ended Monday evening, some 65,000...

Pope Francis has announced he will elevate 21 churchmen to the rank of cardinal in a ceremony at the Vatican in late August. Among those tapped by the pontiff to receive the prestigious red hat will be two prelates from India and one each based in Mongolia, Ghana, Nigeria, Singapore, East Timor, Paraguay and Brazil, in keeping with Francis’ determination...

Pope Francis has used his New Year’s Day appearances to encourage people to focus on the good which unites them and to decry violence against women