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The Vatican Bank was established to ensure the secrecy of the church's finances - and has only recently started to become more transparent

Prophets and losses: The Vatican Bank's scandalous past

The Vatican Bank was shrouded in mystery and controversy for decades - and problems remain, even after a decade of reforms under Pope Francis.

Business • 19 May

Pope Francis entrusted the initiative to Caritas Jerusalem before his death (Photo: Caritas)

Popemobile to become health clinic for Gaza children

One of Pope Francis's popemobiles is being transformed into a mobile health clinic for children in Gaza, fulfilling one of his final wishes, the Vatican's official media outlet has said.

Middle East • 04 May

The legacy of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church is among the challenges facing the next Pope

Abuse, reform and finances among issues facing next Pope

As cardinals filed into the Sistine Chapel this week, those who believed they may be in with a shot of becoming the 267th pope, will have considered their priorities as leader.

Analysis and Comment • 08 May

All eyes are on the Vatican as speculation over who will be the next pope mounts

Watch: Who could be the next pope?

As the Vatican prepares for conclave on 7 May, all eyes are on the cardinals who are in the running to become the next pope.

Conclave • 03 May

Conspiracies and misinformation have been swirling around social media since the death of the Pope.

Simpsons to Saints: How misinformation swirled about Pope's death

Over the past week, a torrent of false narratives, misleading videos and ancient prophecies related to Pope Francis and the Vatican has erupted across social media. So what is behind the surge of misleading claims?

Clarity • 29 Apr

Cardinal Angelo Becciu is pictured as he paid his respects to Pope Francis in St Peter's Basicila last week

Convicted cardinal confirms he will sit out conclave

Angelo Becciu, an Italian cardinal convicted of embezzlement and stripped of his privileges by Pope Francis, has confirmed he will not take part in the conclave to elect a new Catholic leader.

World • 29 Apr

Cardinals will gather in the iconic Sistine Chapel for the secretive ballot next week

Conclave to choose new pope to begin on 7 May

Catholic cardinals meeting in Rome today have set 7 May as the start date for the conclave to elect a successor to Pope Francis, the Vatican spokesman said.

Pope Francis • 28 Apr

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

The Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, where the tomb of Pope Francis is located

Francis's tomb site likely to become place of pilgrimage

One week ago today, Pope Francis's appearance in St Peter's Square led many to believe his health might be stabilising or even improving.

Analysis and Comment • 27 Apr

A nun prays in front of the tomb of Pope Francis on the first day of its opening to the public in Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica

Focus turns to conclave as crowds visit Francis's tomb

With Pope Francis laid to rest, all eyes turn now to the conclave, the secretive meeting of cardinals set to convene within days to elect a new head of the Catholic Church.

World • 28 Apr

The Poor Clare sisters watched the funeral of Pope Francis on television

Poor Clare sisters gather to watch Pope Francis's funeral

The daily chores were temporarily put on hold at the Poor Clare Monastery on College Road in Cork city, as the sisters gathered together to watch the funeral service of Pope Francis.

Pope Francis • 27 Apr

Private meeting brings defining image from Rome

Given there were so many leaders gathered in the Vatican today, it's understandable that it was an opportunity for discussions.

Analysis and Comment • 26 Apr

Watch: Ceremony and song at Francis's funeral

Moments from the funeral of Pope Francis - the choir of the Sistine Chapel provided the hymns.

Pope Francis • 26 Apr

Cardinals stand during the funeral of Pope Francis in St Peter's Square

In pictures: Mourners bid farewell to the 'people's Pope'

Tens of thousands of people gathered in Rome for Pope Francis's funeral.

Pope Francis • 28 Apr

As it happened: Pope Francis laid to rest in Rome

Look back on updates after tens of thousands of people lined the route for the final journey of Pope Francis.

Pope Francis • 26 Apr

Crowds queue to pay their respects at the Vatican

A guide to the funeral of Pope Francis

A guide to the funeral of Pope Francis.

World • 26 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

The coffin is displayed during the funeral of Pope Francis in St Peter's Square

Pope's funeral hears call to 'build bridges, not walls'

At Pope Francis's funeral, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re urged world leaders and mourners to "build bridges, not walls", echoing the late pontiff's calls for migrant care, peace and climate action.

Pope Francis • 27 Apr

President Michael D Higgins was among world leaders attending the funeral

President Higgins leads Irish delegation in Rome

The funeral of Pope Francis has taken place in the Vatican this morning with the Irish delegation being led by President Michael D Higgins and includes Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris.

Pope Francis • 26 Apr

A photograph taken from St Peter's Basilica shows a view of Pope Francis's coffin during the funeral ceremony

How this papal funeral was different

Pope Francis's funeral reflected the tenets of his papacy by breaking away from traditions and choosing sobriety over pomp.

Pope Francis • 26 Apr

Around 250,000 pay respects to Pope over three days

Catch up with coverage as thousands pay their respects to Pope Francis, who is lying in state at St Peter's Basilica for the third day ahead of his funeral tomorrow.

Pope Francis • 25 Apr

Séamus Gill said the pieces that were taken are irreplaceable

Investigation after work stolen from Dublin silversmith

The Dublin studio of acclaimed silversmith Séamus Gill has been broken into with decades worth of work and original jewellery stolen.

Dublin • 25 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

St Peter's Basilica at dusk on the final day that Pope Francis is lying in state

Pope's coffin sealed during private ceremony in Vatican

The coffin of Pope Francis has been closed and sealed in a private ceremony in St Peter's Basilica which was attended by Vatican officials and some members of the late Pope's family.

Pope Francis • 25 Apr

Watch: Just how accurate was the movie Conclave?

As the Vatican prepares for the secret meeting of cardinals who will pick a successor to Pope Francis, forget - to some extent - what you may have learned from the film Conclave, last year's hit movie depicting high-level power games and backstabbing.

Pope Francis • 25 Apr