News that the global Catholic church would get its first-ever U.S.-born pope was welcomed by Catholics across the ideological spectrum in Pope Leo XIV’s homeland, raising the question of whether he might be able to ease some of the deep divisions within its ranks.

While Pope Francis accomplished a lot in his 12-year papacy, he left much unfinished business and many challenges for his successor — from the Vatican’s disastrous finances to the wars raging on multiple continents.

The clash in style between Donald Trump and Pope Francis and their positions on migration, the environment and poverty will come into sharper focus with the president in Rome for Francis’ funeral.

The Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade at a time when it has an unprecedented Catholic supermajority.