On 21st April, 2025, The Holy Father, Pope Francis, died. After nine days of official mourning in the Church, the Cardinals will meet in Conclave to elect a new successor of Peter.

Bound by oaths of secrecy, they can never reveal what is said behind the closed doors of the Sistine Chapel, but what can be told about the Conclave – how it is conducted, who fills the many important offices needed to facilitate the process, and what actions are taken behind closed doors – Mgr Charles Burns, OBE explains.

Revised and updated by Mgr Denis Carlin following the death of Pope Francis, this fascinating guide will take you step by step through the interregnum period, from the moment the Camerlengo (the papal household chamberlain) declares ‘Sede Vacante’ (the Holy See is vacant) until white smoke billows from the chimney above St Peter’s Square, signalling the election of a new pope.

Listen to this free audiobook for the truth about the election of a new Pope.

Also available as a free PDF download here:

Throughout history Christians have suffered martyrdom and torture as a result of ‘hatred of the faith’ (odium fidei). Archbishop Oscar Romero, gunned down while saying Mass, was declared to be such a martyr by Pope Francis, thus opening the way for his beatification and subsequent canonisation. Romero paid the ultimate price for his faithfulness to Christ and his Church, rather than is often misrepresented, for his political activism. Romero’s impressive body of teaching, personal holiness and sufferings illustrate what an impressive witness to the faith he truly was. Listen to this audiobook for free. Read by Luis Soto and ⁠⁠⁠based on the Catholic Truth Society booklet by Fr Ashley Beck⁠⁠.

A young man who spent his short life caring for the sick and infirm. A handsome and active young man from an influential family in Turin who dedicated his short life to the care of the poor and the sick and working for social and political reforms. Pier Giorgio Frassati's generosity was legendary. He often gave the clothes he was wearing to poor people he met who were in need. An open anti-fascist, a keen sportsman and mountaineer, an enthusiast of the theatre and literature, and a young man with a great devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, he stands as a great example of Christianity in action. His life was cut short by polio at the age of 24 and thousands of the Italian industrial city's poor lined the streets at his funeral. He was beatified in 1990 by Pope St John Paul II.

Listen to this audiobook for free. Read by Luis Soto and ⁠⁠based on the Catholic Truth Society booklet by Glynn MacNiven-Johnston⁠.