Resignation of Pope Benedict XVI

Pope Francis will preside Thursday over the funeral of his predecessor Benedict XVI at the Vatican, an unprecedented event in modern times expected to draw tens of thousands of people.

Pope Francis is planning to visit Cuba in September as part of a trip that will also take him to the United States, the Vatican announced on April 17.

US President Barack Obama will host Pope Francis at the White House on September 23, accepting an invitation extended during talks at the Vatican last year.
      
The White House said the president and the pope will continue a dialogue about poverty, the environment, immigration and promoting religious freedom.