Christopher White

More than 61,000 people have visited the basilica so far to pay their respects to Pope Francis, who died April 21. 

As the world's Catholic cardinals gather for what is expected to be the largest conclave in history, they face a stark choice: to continue along Pope Francis' path of reform, or to initiate a course correction. 

Pope Francis' funeral Mass will take place at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 26 at St. Peter's Basilica. 

Pope Francis, history's first pontiff from the Global South, has died at age 88 following a monthslong respiratory illness, setting the stage for a high-stakes secretive election to determine his successor.

Since the pope left the hospital, he had seemed different, writes NCR's Vatican correspondent Christopher White. That change seems more clear after his death on April 21.

In the next few weeks, the cardinals of the Catholic Church will gather in Rome to bury him and turn their minds and hearts to the selection of a successor. We do not know who will be selected in the conclave. But we do have a good idea of what will happen, and when, during this interregnum.

Earlier, Francis greeted U.S. Vice President JD Vance

Pope Francis on April 20 met briefly with U.S. Vice President JD Vance in the first in-person encounter between one of the world's leading champions of migrants and one of America's fiercest anti-immigrant campaigners. 

Pope Francis' top diplomats met with U.S. Vice President JD Vance on April 19, where the two sides discussed migrants and refugees following months of clashes between U.S. church leaders and the Trump administration over immigration policy and foreign aid. 

Vice President Vance attended the Passion liturgy with his wife, Usha, and their three young children. 

The pontiff met with about 70 inmates, along with the prison workers and chaplains, for about 30 minutes, according to a statement released by the Holy See Press Office. 

JD Vance is heading to Rome over Easter weekend on a visit that could offer the Catholic convert a chance of a reconciliation with Pope Francis after the vice president's row with the hierarchy over immigration.

"Have a good Palm Sunday, have a good Holy Week," said the pope, speaking over applause and the cheers of the crowd. 

View from the Vatican: From Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday, there are six major liturgies, all of which normally involve the pope. This year, can Pope Francis take part without jeopardizing his recovery? 

The pontiff's surprise entrance came during a special Jubilee Mass for those who are sick and those who care for the sick.

The pontiff's Jesuit roots are sure to guide his priorities in shaping the global church. 

Matteo Bruni, spokesman for the Holy See Press Office, said the 88-year-old pontiff, who is still recovering from a respiratory infection, continues to be weaned off oxygen support.

Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the Vatican's foreign minister, warned on March 25 that the Trump administration's decision to gut the United States' foreign aid assistance has created a "problem worldwide."

Pope Francis on March 23 appeared in public for the first time in five weeks since his hospitalization began on Feb. 14. 

On March 18, the Italian daily paper Corriere della Serra published a letter from Pope Francis where he said his hospitalization has heightened his awareness to the "absurdity of war."