Ailbhe Conneely

Social Affairs & Religion Correspondent

St Peter's statue and cardinals during the funeral ceremony of Pope Francis at St Peter's Square in the Vatican on Saturday

World waits for conclave date after Francis laid to rest

It was inevitable that the death of Pope Francis would lead to rumination about a successor. Now that that he has been laid to rest, speculation has intensified as the world waits for a start date to the conclave.

Analysis and Comment • 28 Apr

Empty streets in Rome overnight ahead of the pope's funeral

Eerie silence fell over Rome as casket sealed

There was an eerie silence over St Peter's Basilica as night fell in Rome last night.

Analysis and Comment • 26 Apr

Queuing times to pay respects to the Pope reached three hours by yesterday afternoon

Taking it all in during queue to pay respects to Pope

As pilgrims arrived for a second day to visit St Peter's Basilica, ominous clouds rolled in on numerous occasions throughout the day over Vatican City.

Pope Francis • 25 Apr

Meetings are being held to discuss logistical matters ahead of the conclave, which is not expected to begin until at least 6 May

Preparations for funeral and conclave under way in Rome

As pilgrims continue to arrive in Vatican City preparations for the funeral of Pope Francis, and subsequent conclave, are under way.

Analysis and Comment • 24 Apr

People queue up along the walls of the Vatican City to pay their respects to late Pope Francis as his body lies in state

Vatican a haven as reality of Pope's death sinks in

RTÉ's Social Affairs and Religion Correspondent Ailbhe Conneely looks at how Rome and the Catholic community are dealing with the death of Pope Francis.

Pope Francis • 24 Apr

The pope's coffin will be moved from Casa Santa Marta to lie in state at the basilica

Security in Rome to intensify ahead of Pope's funeral

Since the death of Pope Francis on Monday the atmosphere in Rome has been strangely one of 'business as usual'.

Pope Francis • 24 Apr

Pope Francis died this morning at the age of 88

Obituary: Pope Francis led different papacy from outset

Pope Francis was a man of the people, who will be remembered most for his compassion, his courage and his humility, writes Ailbhe Conneely.

Pope Francis • 21 Apr

Conor McGregor said his visit to the Oval office on St Patrick's day was 'a great moment', where 'we got to speak our case'

McGregor requests 'democratic process' before election

Conor McGregor has said he will continue to request "a democratic process" plays out in advance of a presidential election, adding that if the people of Ireland wanted him to run "that's what I'm here for".

Ireland • 19 Apr

After eight years of investigation, the Commission identified significant failures in Grace's care (stock photo)

'Grace' case: Many arguably still falling through cracks

Norma Foley outlined areas where there have been improvements in the area of child safeguarding in recent years. However, given that there are children in unregulated emergency accommodation, many are arguably continuing to fall through the cracks.

Analysis and Comment • 15 Apr

The two-year course at the Newman Institute in Ballina enabled the participants to work alongside priests

64 parishioners to become church lay leaders in Mayo

Over 60 parishioners will be commissioned as Catholic Church lay leaders at a ceremony in Co Mayo marking Easter Holy Week later today.

Connacht • 15 Apr