National Catholic Reporter

The National Catholic Reporter (NCR) is a liberal newspaper in the United States that explores issues related to the Catholic Church from a progressive viewpoint. Founded in 1964 by Robert Hoyt and located in Kansas City, Missouri, NCR aimed to apply the same professional standards found in secular journalism to Catholic news reporting. Hoyt believed that if a city's mayor controlled its only newspaper, residents would not receive the information they truly need about local matters. The NCR operates independently of the Catholic Church's authority and is managed by a lay board of directors.

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Pope Francis' body lies in state at St. Peter's Basilica

1 day ago | ncronline.org | Michael Sean Winters

Three days of public mourning for the pontiff began Wednesday Members of the Swiss Guard stand next to the coffin containing Pope Francis' body, on the day of the translation of his body, in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, April 23, 2025. (OSV News photo/Yara Nardi, Reuters) The body of Pope Francis is now lying in state in St. Peter's Basilica.
Pope Francis honored by his favorite soccer club San Lorenzo

1 day ago | ncronline.org | Inés San Martín |Michael Sean Winters

A drone view shows the Pedro Bidegain stadium, home of San Lorenzo de Almagro, Pope Francis' hometown soccer team, in Buenos Aires April 21, 2025, following the death of the 88-year-old pontiff. (OSV News/Reuters/Matias Baglietto) Before he was Pope Francis, the first pope from the Americas, he was Jorge Mario Bergoglio — a kid from Buenos Aires cheering for San Lorenzo, going to live games with his dad on Sundays.
The history of St. Mary Major, the basilica where Pope Francis will be entombed

1 day ago | ncronline.org | D.D. Emmons |Michael Sean Winters

Each year on Aug. 5 the church liturgical calendar commemorates the dedication of St. Mary Major (in Italian, Santa Maria Maggiore), one of the five great ancient basilicas in Rome, and the place Pope Francis chose to be entombed. Why would that event be a feast day for the universal church? What is our connection to the dedication of a building that took place in Italy over 1,500 years ago? The history of this church is rooted in the role of Mary as the Mother of God.
Pope was a pastor first, which is lasting gift to church, cardinal says

1 day ago | ncronline.org | Cindy Wooden |Michael Sean Winters

Pope Francis was a pastor first, "so consistently, so spontaneously and with such deep conviction," that it will remain a gift to the Catholic Church, said Cardinal Michael Czerny. The cardinal, who served as prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, spoke with Catholic News Service April 22, the day after Francis died at the age of 88. "Pope Francis will be remembered as a pastoral pope," he said.
Pope Francis: Similarities and differences with his predecessors

1 day ago | ncronline.org | Michael Sean Winters

Pope John Paul II, left, Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis are seen in this composite photo. (CNS composite/Photos by Catholic Press Photo/Max Rossi; Paul Haring; Paul Haring) Much of the coverage of Pope Francis' legacy on Monday (April 21) dwelt with the ways he differed from his predecessors, Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI.
Limiting Muslim immigration is patriotic, U.S. cardinal says

2 days ago | ncronline.org | Christopher White |Michael Sean Winters |Robert Duncan

Limiting the number of Muslims allowed to immigrate to traditionally Christian nations would be a prudent decision on the part of politicians, said U.S. Cardinal Raymond Burke. During a pro-life and pro-family conference in Rome May 17, the day before Italy's March for Life, Burke outlined his views on immigration. "To resist large-scale Muslim immigration in my judgment is to be responsible," Burke said, responding to a written question.
World leaders expected for funeral Mass for Pope Francis on Saturday

2 days ago | ncronline.org | Christopher White |Michael Sean Winters

Cardinal Pietro Parolin views the body of Pope Francis in a wooden coffin in the chapel of the pope's residence, Casa Santa Marta, at the Vatican April 21, 2025. Parolin, one who is seen as a potential next pope, served as Pope Francis' secretary of state. (CNS/Vatican Media) ROME — Pope Francis' funeral Mass will take place on Saturday, April 26 in St. Peter's Square, the Vatican announced.
US Catholics join faithful worldwide to mourn death of Pope Francis

2 days ago | ncronline.org | Michael Sean Winters |Katie Scott |Brian Fraga

Linda Ekstrom knelt in the front pew and prayed silently following the April 22 midday Mass at St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral in Fall River, Massachusetts. A few feet in front of her, a framed portrait of Pope Francis, surrounded by flowers, stood in front of the cathedral's sanctuary. Ekstrom, a resident of Tiverton, Rhode Island, said she prayed for the church and for Francis, who died at age 88 on April 21, Easter Monday. She said she was shocked to learn of the pope's death.
Looking back at Pope Francis' remarkable pontificate

3 days ago | ncronline.org | Michael Sean Winters |Christopher White

On March 13, 2013, even before the new pope appeared on the loggia of St. Peter's minutes after being elected, the first inkling that his would be a different kind of pontificate, and a stunning inkling at that, was his choice of name: Francis. He was the first pope to take the name of the beloved medieval saint whose commitment to poverty and to the poor commenced the greatest reform in the long history of the church.
U.S. cardinal to play key role until a new pope is elected

3 days ago | ncronline.org | Christopher White |Michael Sean Winters |Cindy Wooden

With the death of Pope Francis April 21, the practical aspects of overseeing the day-to-day needs of the church and organizing a papal election fall to U.S. Cardinal Kevin Farrell. Standing in the chapel of Francis' residence, it was Farrell who announced to the world that the pope had died. The 77-year-old, Irish-born former bishop of Dallas, Texas, has been "camerlengo" or chamberlain of the Holy Roman Church since 2019, although the job was basically just a title while Pope Francis was alive.