Pope Francis, a consequential pontiff, died at a convulsive time. The 135 cardinals tasked with choosing his successor will hope to carry out God’s will, but they will also be mindful of the political, cultural and religious arguments raging both within and beyond the Roman Catholic church. The next pope will have great influence in those debates. Read our analysis of what the forthcoming conclave will mean for the church and the wider world.

Among the last international figures seen by Pope Francis was J.D Vance. The vice-president has since travelled to India as part of an American campaign to push other countries to isolate China. But can India afford to turn its back on its neighbour?