Sorrow and surprise as Pope steps down

April 3, 2013 -- Updated 0959 GMT (1759 HKT)

On Easter Sunday, Pope Francis kisses and hugs disabled boy lifted up in the crowd.

April 11, 2013 -- Updated 1609 GMT (0009 HKT)

With the new pope himself a trained scientist, could the timing could be right for a new era of cooperation between the Vatican and science?

April 8, 2013 -- Updated 0922 GMT (1722 HKT)

A new pope may be a positive development in many ways. CNN's Jim Bittermann reports on the economic effect he brings.

April 6, 2013 -- Updated 1245 GMT (2045 HKT)

Jake Tapper talks to Father Edward Beck about Pope Francis' vow to act against sex abuse within the Catholic Church.

March 28, 2013 -- Updated 1206 GMT (2006 HKT)

Pope Francis has decided not to move into the papal apartment used by Benedict XVI and others before him.

March 31, 2013 -- Updated 1410 GMT (2210 HKT)

Pope Francis leads his first Easter celebrations with a Mass marking Easter Sunday -- the holiest day in the Christian calendar.

April 2, 2013 -- Updated 2120 GMT (0520 HKT)

A disabled boy in St. Peter's Square was lifted into the arms of the pope. His mother describes the beautiful moment.

March 23, 2013 -- Updated 1840 GMT (0240 HKT)

Pope Francis had lunch with predecessor, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI -- the first such encounter in history of the Roman Catholic Church.

March 17, 2013 -- Updated 0441 GMT (1241 HKT)

He's the first Jesuit and the first Latin American in modern times to lead the world's 1.2 billion Catholics. But in some ways, he's just a normal guy.

March 16, 2013 -- Updated 1856 GMT (0256 HKT)

Pope Francis is being painted as a humble and simple man, but his past is tinged with controversy.

March 19, 2013 -- Updated 1855 GMT (0255 HKT)

It was with a call for the protection of the weakest in society that Francis was officially inaugurated as the Catholic Church's 266th pontiff.

March 14, 2013 -- Updated 2013 GMT (0413 HKT)

While all eyes were on Rome for the election of a new pope, for Catholics, the importance of the event went beyond an impressive spectacle.

March 14, 2013 -- Updated 0821 GMT (1621 HKT)

Click through our gallery to see photos of the celebrations after a new pope was announced.

March 14, 2013 -- Updated 1151 GMT (1951 HKT)

The election of a pope from Latin America shows the emerging influence of the region in the Catholic church and the world.

March 14, 2013 -- Updated 1409 GMT (2209 HKT)

One of the first questions many people ask when they start a new job is: What type of car will I get?

March 14, 2013 -- Updated 1155 GMT (1955 HKT)

Call him Pope Francis, the pontiff of firsts.

March 14, 2013 -- Updated 1158 GMT (1958 HKT)

Jorge Bergoglio of Argentina is known as a humble man, a capable administrator and -- as expected of a new pope -- a man of great faith.

March 14, 2013 -- Updated 1725 GMT (0125 HKT)

Catholic faithful from Latin America cheered the historic election of the first pope from the region Wednesday.

March 14, 2013 -- Updated 1201 GMT (2001 HKT)

Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio of Argentina, the new pope, is breaking historic ground by choosing the name Francis.

March 14, 2013 -- Updated 2241 GMT (0641 HKT)

St. Francis of Assisi, after whom Pope Francis has taken his name, captures the spirit of many Catholics.