Cardinals in the Catholic Church witness many grand liturgical rituals in life. In death, their funerals are far more simple than for a bishop in his own cathedral, even a pastor in his own parish.

(RNS) — As a Jew reading about Pope Francis’ funeral wishes, the precedent set by Rabban Gamliel immediately came to mind. These two religious leaders, centuries apart, broke with traditions around ...

Pope Francis, the humble pontiff whose acts of inclusiveness, modesty and mercy rippled through his 12-year papacy, was laid to rest Saturday in a service he deliberately simplified. Hundreds of ...