Laura O'Callaghan

The Summorum Pontificum pilgrimage 2025. The annual gathering brings together “the representatives of the faithful who in more than 100 countries wish to continue to live their Catholic faith to the rhythm of the traditional liturgy and catechism.”

Irish American Cardinal Raymond Burke celebrated The Traditional Latin Mass in St Peter’s Basilica on Saturday, with Pope Leo XIV's explicit blessing. It offered a sign of hope for traditionalists in the Catholic Church after Pope Francis restricted the ancient rite in 2021.

Thousands of pilgrims made their way to the Vatican on Saturday for the Traditional Latin Mass as part of the Summorum Pontificum pilgrimage.

Cardinal Zuppi and Cardinal Burke bless pilgrims at Vespers in Rome this evening for the annual Summorum Pontificum pilgrimage.

Pilgrims greet Pope Leo at Tor Vegata in Rome ahead of their campout. Almost 1 million young Catholics are gathered here for the final days of the Jubilee of Youth.

Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, President of the Italian Episcopal Conference, or CEI, greets worshippers at the Festa de Noantri in Rome. At mass in Trastevere, the Cardinal prayed for peace in Gaza and Ukraine.

The statue of Our Lady of Mount Carmel was carried through the streets of Trastevere for Rome’s annual Festa de’ Noantri. The origins of the event can be traced back to the 16th century. After a storm in 1535 a statue of the Virgin Mary was found at the mouth of the Tiber.

I am deeply saddened to learn of the loss of life and injury caused by the military attack on the Holy Family Catholic Church in #Gaza. I assure the parish community of my spiritual closeness. I commend the souls of the deceased to the loving mercy of Almighty God, and pray for their families and the injured. I renew my call for an immediate ceasefire. Only dialogue and reconciliation can ensure enduring peace!

Rome celebrated the Feast Day of Saints Peter and Paul on Sunday. The deaths of the two important figures in the Catholic Church, both of whom are buried in Rome, is commemorated annually. The fireworks display over Castel Sant’Angelo dates back to the 15th century.

Pope Leo signs a card for a pilgrim in St Peter’s Square this morning.

Pope Leo carries the Eucharist at his first Corpus Christi procession as pope. Cardinal Angelo De Donatis, Cardinal Joao Braz de Aviz, Cardinal Robert Sarah and Cardinal Pietro Parolin were among those who took part. The Pope said: ‘Christ is God’s answer to our human hunger.’

Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan has become the first Irish Bishop to be given an audience with Pope Leo XIV Bishop Cullinan is known for being a POWERFUL conservative voice on social issues

✖️Black smoke=no pope 🇻🇦The world’s 1.4 billion Catholics will have to wait at least another day for a leader 🗝️The 133 cardinals will retire to Casa Santa Marta, having been ordered to hand over mobile phones and have no contact with the outside world.

Pope Francis’ body is being protected by members of the Swiss Guard. The pontiff’s army was established in 1506 by Pope Julius II. Each member vows to serve Christ’s church and the successor of St Peter, and to sacrifice his own life if necessary to protect the pope.

Umbrellas are up here in St Peter’s Square as thousands wait under the hot sun to see the Pope lying in state.

RIP Pope Francis.

Palestinians thank Pope Francis after he repeatedly called for an end to the war in Gaza. In his final address on Easter Sunday, the Pope condemned the ‘deplorable humanitarian situation’ in the Palestinian territory.

Mourners gather in St Peter’s Square this evening to pray for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis.

At 9:45 AM on Easter Monday, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, spoke these words at the Casa Santa Marta: "Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of His Church. He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially in favor of the poorest and most marginalized. With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the One and Triune God." vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2…

Pope Francis died on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88 at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta.