Sisters hope new pope will continue Francis' prophetic pastoral path

Sr. Jane Wakahiu, a member of the Institute of the Little Sisters of Saint Francis, Kenya, and associate vice president for program operations and head of Catholic Sisters for the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, meets with Pope Francis at the Vatican in January. (Courtesy of Hilton Foundation)

 Sisters at the United Nations and in global ministries hope the new pope will honor Francis' legacy by sharing his priorities and concern for the marginalized.

Most Recent

Latest Columns

Editors' Choice

Focus

Dozens spoke about gender-based violence during the 69th session of the United Nations' Commission on the Status of Women, held March 10-21 in New York. (GSR graphic/Olivia Bardo)

In Focus

Catholic sisters at UN session speak out against 'crisis' of gender-based violence

Gender-based violence was the focus of many of this year's sessions at the United Nations' Commission on the Status of Women, showing the extent to which the problem remains persistent, serious and endemic.

News

View all News
A light shines on a replica of Pope Francis' pectoral cross above his tomb in the side aisle of Rome's Basilica of St. Mary Major early April 27, 2025. (CNS/Lola Gomez)

Francis for sainthood? Sí, says Argentine sister, and many from her homeland

Despite hopes for potential sainthood, in Argentina, "we cry because we did not fully understand or appreciate the extent of his global leadership," said an Argentine priest.

Sr. Jane Wakahiu, a member of the Institute of the Little Sisters of Saint Francis, Kenya, and associate vice president for program operations and head of Catholic Sisters for the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, meets with Pope Francis at the Vatican in January. (Courtesy of Hilton Foundation)

Sisters hope new pope will continue Francis' prophetic pastoral path

 Sisters at the United Nations and in global ministries hope the new pope will honor Francis' legacy by sharing his priorities and concern for the marginalized.

Cardinals gather in the New Synod Hall at the Vatican for their fifth general congregation meeting April 28, 2025. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)

The process to select a new pope has already begun. Cardinals are meeting almost daily.

In closed-door sessions called congregations, cardinals have given 70 speeches to their brethren. The conclave is likely to begin May 6.

Funeral crowd

Hundreds of thousands gather to say goodbye to Pope Francis, 'brother to all'

Many young people who had planned to attend the canonization of Carlo Acutis, the first millennial saint, were among those who paid their respects to the late pontiff April 26. 

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Hundreds of thousands gather to say goodbye to Pope Francis, 'brother to all'

Pope Francis hailed as pastor with missionary vision of a church open for all

This Argentine sister thinks she knows why Francis never returned to Argentina

Feature Series

Out of the Shadows: Confronting Violence Against Women

"Out of the Shadows: Confronting Violence Against Women" is a yearlong Global Sisters Report series on the ways Catholic sisters are responding to this global phenomenon.
READ ALL ARTICLES

Arlington Carmelites in controversy

Fort Worth bishop takes over a Carmelite monastery and accuses cloistered nun of adultery with a priest. Discalced Carmelite Nuns say the bishop does not have authority over them and call his actions a land grab.
READ ALL ARTICLES

LCWR 2024

The 2024 general assembly of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious.
READ ALL ARTICLES
View all Feature Series

Religious Life

View all in Religious Life
A light shines on a replica of Pope Francis' pectoral cross above his tomb in the side aisle of Rome's Basilica of St. Mary Major early April 27, 2025. (CNS/Lola Gomez)

Francis for sainthood? Sí, says Argentine sister, and many from her homeland

Despite hopes for potential sainthood, in Argentina, "we cry because we did not fully understand or appreciate the extent of his global leadership," said an Argentine priest.

Cardinals gather in the New Synod Hall at the Vatican for their fifth general congregation meeting April 28, 2025. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)

The process to select a new pope has already begun. Cardinals are meeting almost daily.

In closed-door sessions called congregations, cardinals have given 70 speeches to their brethren. The conclave is likely to begin May 6.

Vatican News

POPE FRANCIS DIES AT 88

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.

Pope Francis greets audience
Columns

On praying for Pope Francis

Pope Francis has made an impression. He's shown us he wants to be a brother to all, radiating the joy of the gospel and inviting us to a deeper relationship with Jesus. At least, this is what he's done for me.

Community News

Ministry

View all in Ministry
Pope Francis greets Ukrainian refugees after his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican March 8, 2023. (CNS/Vatican Media)
Columns

In spotlight of eternity, a Ukrainian tribute to Pope Francis after a complex 3 years

I'd received questions from my Ukrainian friends and relatives doubting the pope's stance toward their suffering. But on April 21, I read words of gratitude from many Ukrainians to Francis for his support and sympathy.

Pope Francis with nuns
Vatican News

Sisters mourn Pope Francis, who uplifted women in the church

Pope Francis, who elevated the status of women, and especially women religious, within the Catholic Church more than any pontiff in history, died early April 21. He was 88.

At top, Sr. Ngan Nguyen, left, and Sr. Mung Nguyen, right, with children at Muong Cat Church in August 2024; at bottom, construction of a girls’ dormitory by the Lovers of the Holy Cross is pictured March 10 in the Lac Son district of Hoa Binh province of Hanoi, Vietnam. (Top photo courtesy of Sr. Mung Nguyen; bottom photo by Mung Nguyen)
Columns

Lovers of the Holy Cross in Vietnam support ethnic Muong children's education

Horizons - Lovers of the Holy Cross sisters spent two years serving the population in a rural, mountainous area, helping with education, faith and health care. Now they're tackling the challenge children face with attending school.

Pictured are worshippers holding candles in this 2012 photo. Church leaders have a crucial role and duty in rebuilding trust after the sexual abuse scandals involving clerics and other church representatives, writes Sr. Matilda Owolagba. (CNS file/Gregory A. Shemitz)
Columns

After abuse scandals, church leaders must take action to rebuild trust

We can still talk about trust after the abuse scandals — but only if church leadership puts in place measures to ensure that trust is never again betrayed as it was in the past.

GSR in the Classroom

Youth in a classroom raising their hands to answer questions

The project shines light on the mission and ministry of Catholic women religious around the world.

Each lesson connects articles about sisters or columns written by sisters to the good news found in scripture and church teaching. Action ideas and compelling prayer bring new learning alive. Teacher guides provide vital context and engaging activities to launch group discussions.