Carrying #PopeFrancis’ body in an open casket into St. Peter’s Basilica this morning.

The Annunciation in the cloister of Santa Maria sopra Minerva.

Went to #AshWednesday Mass in the Church of San Pellegrino, one of the oldest churches in the Vatican, probably constructed during the pontificate of Leo III (795-816)

Praying for #PopeFrancis under his room at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital

A boy displaced by war eats Ready to Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) in Riimenze, South Sudan. RUTF is a fortified peanut butter paste used to treat severe acute malnutrition. It's made at a plant in the state of Georgia and distributed by USAID, which bought $200 million of RUTF last May. No more.

Rome now.

The sun is out!

At the Vatican, the Franciscan Cardinal Gambetti blesses animals in the feast of St. Anthony the Abbot.

#PopeFrancis gets in on the act when the circus comes to the #Vatican.

President Biden to Pope Francis, today

While President Biden canceled his trip to the Vatican yesterday, he spoke to #PopeFrancis by phone today, informing the pope that he had conferred on him the Presidential Medal of Freedom. www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-roo...

St. Peter’s Basilica this morning

Morning light. #Rome

The Holy Year 2025 and a long Christmas holiday mean big crowds at the Vatican

Herding cats, Vatican edition. #PopeFrancis poses for a photo with the children of Vatican employees after giving each of them a chocolate Santa.

A little story and more photos from the living Nativity scene at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome. (Cardinal Makrickas checks on the "baby Jesus.") www.usccb.org/news/2024/na...

The thing that's sticking with me regarding the conversations I've had over the last couple of weeks with community organizations in San Diego is how these organizations are working with parents to develop school pick up and childcare contingency plans if they get scooped up in a deportation raid.

Journalists’ opportunity to interview some of tomorrow’s new cardinals. This is Archbishop Ignace Bessi Dogbo from Ivory Coast

Sneaking a peek at the Vatican Nativity scene with its lagoon and a fisherwoman guiding a boat with the 3 Magi — it’s the work of folks in Grado, Italy, on an island between Venice and Trieste. It will be unveiled Saturday evening.

A quick test of the lights on the Vatican Christmas tree. 🎄 The lighting ceremony and unveiling of the Nativity scene are scheduled for Saturday.

Road work continues around the Vatican in preparation for the Holy Year.

A Roman sidewalk

Trastevere dressing up for Christmas

Once an electrical power station in the early 20th century, Centrale Montemartini was converted into a wonderful museum of ancient Roman art. Despite being one of Rome’s most quirky museums, it is also one of the least visited. Slightly off the tourist trail, on Via Ostiense, it’s a gem.

The Vatican Christmas tree is going up today

After some controversy, a Christmas tree arrived in St. Peter's Square early this morning. But, apparently, they aren't going to start putting it up until tomorrow. Arrival photos from PabloEsparzaa www.ncronline.org/earthbeat/lo...

#PopeFrancis has approved revised and simplified rites for the death, funeral and burial of the pope. No more triple coffin (cypress, lead, oak), public viewing but in an open casket, etc (photo is 2000 edition)

In 1977, when I was a young editor of the Catholic Worker, Jim Forest shared with me a letter he received from Thomas Merton in 1966. I edited and published it in the CW under the title "Letter to a Young Activist." It speaks to our own moment better than anything I can think of.

#PopeFrancis in new book: "According to some experts, what is happening in Gaza has the characteristics of genocide. It should be investigated carefully to determine whether it fits into the technical definition formulated by jurists and international bodies." (📷 Pablo Esparza)

Eritreans in Rome in procession to their church

Oooh what a beautiful morning. #Rome

The moon at dusk in Rome.

#PopeFrancis to conference on economy and the common good: “The pursuit of the common good and justice are essential and indispensable for the defence of all human life, especially of the most fragile and defenceless, and for the respect of the entire ecosystem that we inhabit.”