Left, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and his wife Anaida at Good Shepherd Church in Surrey on Easter Sunday, and right, Liberal Leader Mark Carney issues a statement on April 21 about the death of Pope Francis earlier that day. (Pierre Poilievre, Mark Carney social media images)

Campaign trail turns solemn as Canadian political leaders reflect on Pope Francis’ passing

One week before Canadians head to the polls, the death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday brought a rare moment of reflection to electoral campaigns as political leaders paid tribute to a Pontiff described as humble, courageous, and compassionate. Liberal Leader Mark Carney issued a lengthy statement from Ottawa Monday, calling Pope Francis “a shepherd...

Britain’s King Charles III and Queen Camilla greet Pope Francis during a visit at the Vatican April 9, 2025. They were among the world leaders who sent tributes after the Pope’s passing on Easter Monday. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)

King Charles, Canada’s Mark Carney join world leaders in mourning Pope Francis

World leaders around the globe issued statements of mourning and remembrance on Monday following the death of Pope Francis, who died Monday morning at age 88. “Through his teachings and actions, Pope Francis redefined the moral responsibilities of leadership in the 21st century,” Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney wrote Monday. “His vision of fairness between...

Pope Francis greets a child from the popemobile after giving his Easter blessing to thousands of people in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican April 20, 2025. Pope Francis, formerly Argentine Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, died April 21 at age 88. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)

‘Our good and faithful servant has been called home’: Canadian Catholics mourn death of Pope Francis

As news of Pope Francis’ death spread on Easter Monday, Catholics from coast to coast expressed sorrow, gratitude, and reverence for a Pontiff whose 12-year ministry shaped the Church with humility, compassion, and a call to mission. In Toronto, Canada’s largest diocese, Cardinal Frank Leo offered heartfelt words about the Pope’s passing. “Our Catholic family...

People pray in the courtyard around a statue of St. John Paul II outside Rome’s Gemelli hospital Feb. 23, 2025, where Pope Francis is being treated for double pneumonia. Pope Francis is alert and attended Mass Sunday, the Holy See Press Office said Sunday evening. (CNS photo/Pablo Esparza)

Pope’s condition remains critical but no new respiratory crisis as of Sunday evening

The Holy See Press Office provided a medical update on Pope Francis Sunday evening, saying his condition remains critical but he had not experienced any more respiratory crises. The statement said: “The condition of the Holy Father remains critical, but since yesterday evening, he has not experienced any further respiratory crises. The Pope continues to...

A portrait of Pope Francis is displayed at the Basilica San Jose de Flores in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Feb. 21, 2025, where Pope Francis, then Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, once served. (OSV News photo/Tomas Cuesta, Reuters)

Pope Francis remains ‘not out of danger’ Saturday night

Pope Francis remained in critical condition and was “not out of danger,” the Holy See Press Office announced Saturday evening in Rome. The 88-year-old Pontiff “experienced an asthma-like respiratory crisis of prolonged intensity” Saturday morning that required the administration of high-flow oxygen, according to the Vatican’s medical update. Blood tests revealed a low platelet count...

Archbishop-elect Francis Leo at his episcopal ordination in Montreal in 2022. Leo has been named the new Archbishop of Toronto. (Photo courtesy of the Archdiocese of Montreal)

Toronto’s Archbishop Leo elevated to College of Cardinals

Toronto Archbishop Francis Leo is among 21 new Cardinals elevated to the College of Cardinals. Pope Francis made the announcement this morning at the end of his Sunday Angelus at St. Peter’s Square. The Cardinals’ new roles take effect Dec. 8 when the Holy Father will hold a consistory at the Vatican. “I am humbled...

Vancouver Archbishop J. Michael Miller offers a blessing at Holy Rosary Cathedral. On Monday, the Vatican released the declaration Fiducia Supplicans on the pastoral meaning of blessings. (B.C. Catholic file photo)

Same-sex blessings are about welcoming, not changing Church teaching, Canadian bishops say

Vancouver Archbishop J. Michael Miller offers a blessing at Holy Rosary Cathedral. On Monday, the Vatican released the declaration Fiducia Supplicans on the pastoral meaning of blessings. (B.C. Catholic file photo)

Argentine theologian Emilce Cuda, known as “the woman who knows how to read Pope Francis,” will speak at next week’s St. Mark’s College conference on the Pope’s legacy. More than 45 scholars from around the world will take part. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)

Shedding light on a complex Pope: St. Mark’s conference examines Francis’ unique legacy

The first international forum to explore Pope Francis’ papacy in a Canadian context will be held in Vancouver next week, drawing more than 45 speakers from around the world.

Pope Francis at the Teutonic College in Rome

Pope Francis visits the crypt of St. Peter’s Basilica and prayed for the souls of the deceased popes who are buried there on All Souls’ Day, November 2. VATICAN MEDIA

Francis offers new development, not new direction: Vancouver Archbishop

By Nicholas Elders A keen pastoral ingenuity, mixed with a renewed emphasis on our responsibilities to the poor and marginalized, are the hallmarks of Pope Francis’ papacy, Archbishop J. Michael Miller says. In an interview with The B.C. Catholic to discuss Francis’ 10 years as Pope, Archbishop Miller said Francis’ chief contribution to the Church...

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