In the 1940's to 1970's ABS-CBN (be it on DZBC-AM in 1949 to DZXL-FM in 1957 to Channel 4 in 1967) has reported on the local and global events in the worldwide Catholic Church, including the transition from one Pope to another.
In 1970, ABS-CBN was one of the media organizations who covered the arrival of the great Pope Paul VI, 2 years before Martial Law 1972.
In 1995, ABS-CBN was supposed to act as official broadcaster for the World Youth Day 1995 and the repeat visit of the great Pope St. John Paul II but because of miscommunication issues and disputes, a rival TV network was appointed in its place. Nonetheless, ABS-CBN continued covering the Papal events that year.
2005 saw ABS-CBN breaking the news on the passing of JP2 and going all out covering the funeral and burial. It chronicled the Conclave that produced the great Pope Benedict XVI.
2013 saw ABS-CBN breaking the news on the resignation of Benedict XVI as Pope and the Conclave that produced the great Pope Francis.
2015 saw ABS-CBN mounting a monumental coverage on the visit of Lolo Kiko/Papa Francisco.
Now 2025 had ABS-CBN breaking the news on Lolo Kiko's passing. Tomorrow, 4-6-2025, ANC and various ABS-CBN News digital platforms will cover the global Filipino's final farewell and eternal thanksgiving of a holy and incredible life that was Pope Francis, starting 3:00pm Manila/9:00am Rome.
