Rod Stewart breaks silence with heartfelt 10-word tribute to Pope Francis
The world was left in shock on Easter Monday when the Vatican announced
the passing of Pope Francis
after the religious figure, 88,
suffered a stroke followed by heart failure.
Leaders from across the globe paid tribute to the head of the Catholic Church, including French President , who wrote on X: "From Buenos Aires to Rome, Pope Francis wanted the Church to bring joy and hope to the poorest."
The
entertainment industry also marked the Pope's passing
, including British singer-songwriter Sir Rod Stewart, who shared an image on Instagram of the late cardinal's face on an Irish flag. He captioned the post: "A man of the people and the greatest Pope ever. Sir Rod."
Read More
Related Articles
Today Show fans thank NBC as Jenna Bush Hager announces 'incredible' Hoda Kotb replacement
Read More
Related Articles
Yellowstone fans stunned as they realise Beth Dutton star was in classic film
U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in his own statement: "I join millions around the world in mourning the death of His Holiness Pope Francis. His leadership in a complex and challenging time for the world and the church was often courageous, yet always came from a place of deep humility."
Pope Francis passed away on April 21 at the age of 88
The Vatican's chief physician, Dr. Andrea Arcangeli, revealed that Francis succumbed to a cerebral stroke which resulted in a coma and ultimately irreversible cardiac failure. Arcangeli also noted that the pope had struggled with respiratory insufficiency, bilateral pneumonia, and ongoing health issues such as type 2 diabetes and hypertension.
Vatican health officials have reported that Pope Francis seemed to wake up after his 6am alarm but became ill about an hour later; he was declared dead around 7:30am and doctors noted that his passing was peaceful.
In a profound moment of solemnity, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, officially announced the pope's death, sending 1.4 billion Catholics around the world into deep sorrow.
"At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father," proclaimed Farrell, who also stated: "With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite, merciful love of God, One and Triune."
Earlier in February, it was revealed that the venerated religious figure had been hospitalized at Gemelli Hospital for respiratory troubles, eventually diagnosed with double pneumonia. This stay marked his longest hospitalization throughout his twelve-year tenure as pontiff, lasting 38 days.
Recently, while on state business in Italy, U.S. Vice President JD Vance had the fortune of meeting Pope Francis. During their encounter, the pope bestowed Vance's children with three sizeable chocolate Easter eggs and gave Vance a Vatican tie along with rosaries.
In return, the vice president's office issued a thank you statement, noting that Vance "expressed his gratitude to Pope Francis for inviting him to meet on Easter Sunday and for the hospitality the Vatican has extended to his family."
The air in St. Peter's Square was electric with Easter festivities when out of the blue, Pope Francis appeared in the popemobile, bestowing his blessings upon the assembled crowds. His appearance ignited cheers and applause.
Shouts of "Viva il Papa!" and "bravo" echoed as the pope circulated the fringes of the square in his emblematic vehicle, pausing to give blessings to infants brought towards him. The Pontiff's buoyant declaration, "Brothers and sisters, Happy Easter!" reverberated among the gathered congregation.
For the latest local news and features on Irish America, visit our homepage
here
.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Tatler Asia
7 days ago
- Tatler Asia
Midlife, meet muscle: 9 best exercises to start at 40
2. Pilates Above (Photo: Lê Đức / Pexels) Experiencing a resurgence of late, Pilates targets deep core muscles, improves flexibility and stabilises joints, all while making you feel like a ballerina with abs. Why are people loving it? This workout strengthens without strain, improves mobility and posture and tones and tightens safely. Reformer sessions at a studio can train you on the proper techniques, but if you are not keen on taking a class, try Mat Pilates at home. Studio Lagree and Alo Moves offer celeb-loved digital options. See more: 5 Reasons why more women over 40 are choosing Pilates over any other workout 3. Swimming Above (Photo: Pixabay / Pexels) Swimming is one of the best exercises to start at 40, but it's really an overall good skill to have. It's lifesaving, after all. Swimming offers resistance and cardio in one no-impact package. It's fantastic for joint health, flexibility and cardiovascular fitness, especially if you've had previous injuries or mobility concerns. Plus, it improves lung capacity and strengthens your core and back muscles. Swimming is low-impact, boosts heart health and supports mental clarity—no wonder it's a go-to for stars like Nicole Kidman, Adam Peaty and Natalie Coughlin. Take lessons to learn proper techniques, and then commit to 30-minute laps twice or thrice a week. 4. Yoga and mobility Above (Photo: Marcus Aurelius / Pexels) Yoga isn't just about touch-your-toes flexibility or headstands on Instagram. For the 40-plus body, it enhances mobility, reduces inflammation and supports better sleep and mood regulation. Poses that lengthen the spine and open the hips are key for counteracting years of sedentary habits. Plus, the mind-body connection helps manage the stress that tends to pile up with age. Gwyneth Paltrow integrates yoga into her wellness empire, while Keanu Reeves uses it for mobility and injury prevention. 5. Walking and hiking Above (Photo: İrem Çilingir / Pexels) Not sold on walking? Michelle Obama's a fan of daily strolls, and she's onto something. Walking is a low-impact cardiovascular gem, and when done with intention, it reshapes not just your glutes but your entire energy profile. At 40 and beyond, when joint longevity starts to matter more than gym ego, walking becomes the unsung hero. It improves circulation, supports heart health, reduces stress hormones and even sharpens cognition. Aim for 30 to 45 minutes at a brisk pace (you should be slightly out of breath but still able to talk). Jennifer Aniston enjoys steep inclined treadmill strolls while Chris Hemsworth incorporates weighted treks into his recovery days. 6. Dance fitness Above (Photo: Andrea Piacquadi / Pexels) There's something profoundly liberating about a sweat session that feels more like a Beyoncé concert than a boot camp. Dance fitness—whether it's Zumba, barre or a YouTube hip-hop class in your kitchen—is the workout of choice for many over-40s who'd rather move to music than get shouted at in spin class. Dance raises your heart rate, improves coordination, torches calories and triggers the release of feel-good endorphins. And because it doesn't feel like traditional 'work', you're more likely to stick with it. For midlife bodies, which may be more prone to joint stiffness or muscle imbalances, dance improves mobility, posture and that elusive thing called rhythm. Bonus: it can even keep your memory sharp, remembering all those steps. Celebrities like Jennifer Lopez and Madonna have turned to dance-based cardio to stay lean and limber. 7. Martial arts and boxing Above (Photo: Gleb Krasnoborov / Pexels) Turning 40 doesn't mean you start pulling punches. In fact, this is the perfect age to start throwing them. Boxing and martial arts aren't just for bruisers and action stars; they're mind-body bootstraps that sculpt the arms, fire up the core and obliterate stress with every jab. Many over-40s start with boxing-inspired fitness classes or martial arts disciplines like Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai or Taekwondo. You can even just shadowbox at home. What you get: better reflexes, improved balance (which naturally declines with age) and a surprise uptick in mental sharpness. It's cardio, coordination and confidence in one sweat-drenched session. 8. Functional fitness Above (Photo: Karl Solano / Pexels) In your 40s, you're likely over the aesthetic benefits of exercise. Functional fitness is one of the best exercises to start at 40 because it's about training for everyday tasks. Think squats that mimic picking up groceries, lunges that prep you for climbing stairs without wincing or resistance work that makes hauling luggage effortless. Functional fitness enhances mobility, builds core stability and corrects posture, all crucial as your joints begin to creak and muscle mass naturally declines. It's also incredibly versatile: no need for intimidating gym equipment. A mat and a good trainer (or YouTube playlist) will do. Start with basic movements, such as squats, push-ups and planks, and gradually level up with light weights or resistance tools. 9. Cycling Above (Photo: Pixabay / Pexels) Cycling is one of the best exercises to start at 40, partly because you can afford a decent bike now. The low-impact and high-reward exercise gets the heart pumping without pounding your joints. Great for building leg strength and endurance, cycling, whether indoor or outdoor, also improves coordination and balance, which is key as you age. Whether it's a spin class or a Sunday ride, this is cardio with flair. Fans of cycling include David Beckham, who hits the bike for active recovery, and Shakira, who is often spotted doing spin intervals for endurance.
Times
29-04-2025
- Times
A vaccine that can survive without refrigeration may be a game-changer
In the world of vaccines there is something called the cold chain. It refers to the need to keep doses cool and at a stable temperature if they are not to lose their potency. That means refrigerated storage and transport at all stages, often in inhospitable parts of the world where power is unreliable and fridges scarce. Freeing vaccines from the tyranny of refrigeration would be a game-changer. Fewer doses would be lost through heat degradation and the challenges of distribution in remote corners of the planet would be greatly eased. Good news, then, that British researchers have come up with a vaccine that is happy at room temperature. A tetanus-diphtheria vaccine developed by the biotech company Stablepharma with help from the government is reported
Times
29-04-2025
- Times
‘Revolutionary' fridge-free vaccines to be trialled in UK
British scientists have launched the world's first trial of a vaccine that does not need to be kept in the fridge, using revolutionary technology that is set to be a 'global lifesaver'. At present vaccines need to be refrigerated or frozen, and this 'cold chain' is a huge barrier to getting people vaccinated in developing countries — meaning that about half of all vaccines are thrown away each year. The UK biotech firm Stablepharma has developed new technology, backed by the government, which converts existing vaccines to fridge-free versions that are 'thermostable' and can be stored for long periods at room temperature. One of their vaccines, the Stablepharma tetanus-diphtheria vaccine (SPVX02), is now being tested on humans in a clinical trial at University Hospital Southampton.
