Latest news with #EasterMass
Daily Mirror
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Catholic priest turned social media icon goes viral on TikTok with ASMR videos
Father Simon Teller, a Dominican priest at Providence College, is gaining viral fame on TikTok with his calming ASMR videos of Mass preparations, captivating millions online In an unlikely marriage of faith and modern media, Father Simon Teller, a Dominican chaplain at Providence College in Rhode Island, has found fame on TikTok. His soothing ASMR -style videos, which capture the quiet and careful preparation for Catholic Mass, have struck a chord with millions, offering a peaceful moment of spirituality in the online world. Known to his growing fanbase as @fathersimonteller, Father Simon has racked up more than 185,000 followers. His clips, filled with the gentle clink of chalices and the soft rustle of liturgical garments, give viewers an unexpectedly calming insight into the sacred rituals of the Church. One of his most popular videos, simply captioned 'Setting up for Easter Mass,' has racked up over 2.3 million likes. Another, filmed ahead of the Easter Vigil and tagged with #easter #catholic #asmr, received over 14,000 likes, showing just how far his gentle touch has travelled. The comments beneath his posts are a mix of surprise and delight. 'Never in my 27 years of life did I expect to see this,' wrote one viewer. Another confessed: 'I didn't realise how bad I needed Catholic ASMR.' One commenter said: 'GRWM [Get ready with me] to serve (the body of Christ)." And in perhaps the most telling sign of the times, someone quipped: 'Even the priests are content creators now.' But for Father Simon, this isn't just about going viral. It's about connection. 'A priest is someone who you can have as a friend, a mentor, a companion,' he told WCVB. 'Someone who is not just a person you see in the pulpit on Sundays.' He's also known on campus for his creative approach to teaching. One of his courses, called CIV: Taylor's Version, is a creative adaptation of the college's required Western Civilization curriculum and explores big themes like happiness and morality through the works of Taylor Swift, Dante, and Shakespeare. Unsurprisingly, it's become a student favourite. Music is another outlet for Father Simon's talents. He's part of a folk and bluegrass band of Dominican friars called The Hillbilly Thomists. Their latest album, Marigold, reached number two on the Billboard Bluegrass charts last year, including a guest spot with the Zac Brown Band. His path to the priesthood wasn't exactly traditional. Before donning the white robes, he worked in the oil industry, did shifts in construction, and even made a living as a street performer in Asheville. These experiences have shaped a ministry that feels grounded, accessible, and refreshingly human. Unsurprisingly, his students adore him. One even joked: 'He's like the most famous person I know! And it's like, I have his phone number. I can text a famous person!' Through it all, Father Simon remains focused on his mission. 'There's not a lot of cons to trying something new and creative,' he's said, reflecting on his unexpected TikTok journey. 'It's all about finding new ways to share the Gospel.' And perhaps that's what makes his videos so compelling. They're not just calming, they're authentic.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Is the Vatican its own country? What to know about the world's smallest sovereign nation
After greeting crowds on Easter Sunday, Pope Francis died on Monday morning. The frail 88-year-old, known as a humble reformer of the Catholic Church, greeted thousands in St. Peter's Square after Sunday's Easter Mass. For the better part of the year, the pontiff had resided at Rome's Gemelli University Hospital due to a litany of health issues, including bilateral pneumonia. In addition to leading the Catholic Church, the pope is also the head of Vatican City, a 100-acre sovereign state located in the heart of Rome. As the world mourns Pope Francis, here's what to know about Vatican City. Where is Vatican City? Vatican City is located in Rome, along the Tiber River. Is the Vatican its own country? Yes, the Vatican is its own country. In fact, it's the smallest fully independent nation state in the world, according to Britannica. The Vatican was established as an independent country on Feb. 11, 1929. The Vatican has its own post office, commissary, bank, railway station, electrical plant, television center, publishing house, internet domain (.va), radio station and newspaper, according to the U.S. Department of State. The country also produces its own coins and stamps. How big is the Vatican? Vatican City is about 109 acres, all of which is located inside Rome. Pope Francis' death: Watch livestream: Mourners gather in Vatican City after Pope Francis dies at 88 How many people reside in the Vatican? In 2023, the Vatican was made up of about 764 residents, according to Britannica. What is the Holy See? The Holy See is the governing body of the Catholic Church, operating from Vatican City. It is led by the pope. What power does the pope have in Vatican City? The framework of Vatican City's politics occurs within a theocratic absolute elective monarchy, meaning the pope, an elected official, exercises complete legislative, executive, and judicial powers. What happens next? Following Pope Francis' funeral, in which a date has yet to be set for, as of Monday, the Catholic Church's most senior officials will gather to discuss Francis' successor. This process is known as a papal conclave. During a conclave, the College of Cardinals − bishops and Vatican officials chosen by the pope − gather to hold an election for the church's successor. As of April 21, the College of Cardinals was made up of 252 individuals, including 136 who can vote in a conclave, according to The Holy See's College of Cardinals Dashboard. The College of Cardinals discusses the needs and challenges facing the Catholic Church and then gathers in St. Peter's Basilica to invoke the guidance of the Holy Spirit on who should be the successor, according to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Before the election begins, the electors enter the Sistine Chapel, take an oath of secrecy and seal the church's doors. As for the election, each cardinal votes by secret ballot. He says a prayer and then drops his twice-folded ballot in a large chalice, according to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Four rounds of voting are conducted each day until one candidate receives two-thirds of the vote. Though these meetings are held in secrecy, the rest of the world is notified of the group's daily decisions by white or black-colored smoke funneled from the top of the Sistine Chapel. Black smoke indicates a non-conclusive answer, while white smoke indicates that a new pope has been selected. Once a candidate has received two-thirds of the cardinals' votes, the senior cardinal deacon announces him from the balcony of St. Peter's before the new pope steps out to face a welcoming crowd. Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at gcross@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Is the Vatican its own country? What to know after Pope Francis' death
Leaders
05-05-2025
- Health
- Leaders
Pope's Final Wish: Transforming Popemobile into Health Clinic for Gaza Children
The Vatican's official media revealed that one of Pope Francis's popemobiles is being transformed into a mobile health clinic for children in Gaza, according to BBC. The step comes as a response to one of the Pope's final wishes before his demise. The late pontiff used this vehicle during his 2014 visit to the Holy Land. Currently, the vehicle is being equipped with diagnostic and emergency medical equipment to help young patients in Gaza. Pope Francis During the months before his death, Pope Francis entrusted the initiative to the Catholic aid organization Caritas Jerusalem, according to Vatican News. 'This is a concrete, life-saving intervention at a time when the health system in Gaza has almost completely collapsed,' Peter Brune, Secretary General of Caritas Sweden, which is supporting the project, said. Pope's Final Wish: Transforming Popemobile into Health Clinic for Gaza Children Importantly, the mobile unit will feature medical personnel, rapid infection tests, vaccines, diagnostic tools, and suture kits. 'It's not just a vehicle. It's a message that the world has not forgotten about the children in Gaza,' Brune added. Gaza is a home to a tiny Christian community and the Vatican has said Francis used to call the Holy Family Church in Gaza on an almost daily basis for much of the war. Related Topics: Pope Francis Calls for Gaza Ceasefire during Easter Mass American Political Scientist Accuses Israel of Shooting Gazan Children Pope Francis Passes away at 88, Vatican Says Short link : Post Views: 28
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
IN FOCUS: Following the legacy of Pope Francis
TYLER, Texas (KETK) – In this edition of East Texas In Focus, KETK's Nolan Hoffman spoke with the Bishop of Tyler Greg Kelly on the death of Pope Francis and what's next for the Catholic Church. The loss of Pope Francis mourned across the country Pope Francis, born in Argentina as Jorge Mario Bergoglio in 1936, died of a stroke on Monday just a few hours after celebrating Easter Mass at Saint Peter's Square. Bishop of the Diocese of Tyler Greg Kelly recalled learning the tragic news about Pope Francis' death in his conversation with Nolan. 'It really came as a surprise,' said Kelly. 'Because he seemed like after being in the hospital so long that he was doing much better and that he was very active on Easter Sunday, he met with the Vice President. He went around Saint Peter's Square. He looked like he was resuming some of his normal activities.' Francis' election as the new head of the Catholic Church in 2013 marked the first time anyone from the Americas and the southern hemisphere had ever been chosen as pope. Kelly recalled part of what's made Pope Francis so charming to people around the world were his big gestures like his first official trip abroad as pope. 'He would do these dramatic gestures. Like when he was first elected pope, he wanted his first trip to go to the island of Lampedusa, where a lot of immigrants from Africa coming across the Mediterranean in insufficient boats were drowning,' said Kelly. 'And he had such a heart for immigrants, the people who had to be on the move for whatever reason, and he wanted to go there and his staff kept kind of putting him off. One of them got a call from the Italian airline saying that they had received a call from a Jorge Bergoglio booking four seats on a commercial flight to Lampedusa. He was just going to go himself and so that's where they went.' Kelly met Pope Francis when he was appointed as the Auxiliary Bishop of Dallas in 2015. 'One of the requirements for a new bishop is they go to Bishop School. And so it's a week long formation process in Rome and on the Friday of that week is an audience with Pope Francis,' said Kelly. 'Each bishop gets to walk up and actually meet him personally. So that's the only time I actually met him in person and he was just very warm, ingratiating, beautiful smile.' Pope Francis' funeral: Photo gallery Later in 2024, Francis confirmed Kelly as the new Bishop of Tyler. As the College of Cardinals prepares to elect a new pope in the next few weeks, Kelly offered his insight into what kind of pope they might select. 'I think it's someone that can build on the legacy of Pope Francis,' Kelly said. 'He was the first pope ever to come from South America, from the global South and so much more of the church, a lot of the numbers, the energy of the church is in South America and Africa. And I think somebody that's sensitive to the to the needs of those local churches as well as the church throughout the world.' The Papal Conclave is expected to start the process of electing a new pope who will lead the world's 1.41 billion Catholics in the coming days. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Scottish Sun
26-04-2025
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
Pope Francis carried in simple wooden casket as a million mourners bade emotional farewell in deeply moving ceremony
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) POPE Francis is carried on his final journey in a simple wooden casket yesterday as a million mourners bade an emotional farewell at his funeral. Royals and world leaders — including Prince William, Sir Keir Starmer and Donald Trump — gathered in the Vatican alongside the disadvantaged so famously championed by the 'Pope of the People'. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 15 Pope Francis was laid to rest as a million mourners poured into Rome for the funeral Credit: Getty Images - Getty 15 The Pope was carried on his final journey in a simple wooden casket Credit: Getty 15 The Pope's coffin in the Popemobile by the Colosseum, passing banks of cheering crowds Credit: AP 15 His coffin was carried in his glass-topped Popemobile Credit: AP Rome's St Peter's Square was bathed in sunshine for a spectacular, colourful and deeply moving ceremony steeped in papal pomp — but with departures from tradition at the late pontiff's request. It was held where Francis performed his last selfless act — addressing crowds on Easter Sunday last weekend, before passing away the next morning, aged 88. His close friend, 91-year-old Italian Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, said yesterday that he wanted to be close to those who needed him, despite being close to death. He told mourners: 'The final image we have of him, which will remain etched in our memory, is that of last Sunday, Easter Sunday. 'Pope Francis, despite his serious health problems, wanted to give us his blessing from the balcony of Saint Peter's Basilica. 'He then came down to this square to greet the large crowd gathered for the Easter Mass while riding in the open-top Popemobile. 'He was eager to be close to everyone, with a marked attention to those in difficulty, giving himself without measure, especially to the marginalised — the least among us. "Pope Francis, we now ask you to pray for us and bless the whole world from heaven as you did last Sunday from the balcony of this Basilica in a final embrace.' More than 250,000 queued to see Francis lying in state for three days before his coffin was ceremonially closed on Friday evening. The same number again were estimated to be inside the Vatican yesterday, including many who had flown from the UK, with another 750,000 outside. Inside the Vatican's secret Pope election after death of Francis Mourners gathered in the pre-dawn darkness to get a prime spot, then celebrated his life and ate Italian pastries with others from all nations, including non-Catholics. The ceremony began at 10am — 9am UK time — when Francis's casket was carried into St Peter's Square by 14 uniformed pallbearers. The spectacular scene brought gasps from the crowd, followed by warm applause. The Argentinian pontiff wanted no grand podium, with his plain casket placed on the ground beside a single candle. Non-Catholics came from a night out clubbing. Everyone is welcome and that's exactly what this day is supposed to be about Madison Gifford, from Nebraska, But it was impossible to disguise the opulence and history of the moment, with the statues of 140 saints ringing the historic square. More than 170 royals and heads of state were also placed according to age-old protocols on the north side in cushioned red VIP seats opposite cardinals in scarlet robes. Choral music filled the air under blue skies and prayers were said and sung in Latin during the requiem mass. US President Trump was on the front VIP row near William, Sir Keir and wife Victoria. Francis had clashed with Trump several times over immigration — and Cardinal Re made a thinly veiled jibe yesterday. He spoke of Francis's visit to the US-Mexico frontier where he urged true Christians to 'build bridges, not walls' in a dig at Trump's proposed border barrier. Cardinal Re said: 'His gestures and exhortations in favour of refugees and displaced persons are countless. His insistence on working on behalf of the poor was constant.' 15 St Peter's Square seven days apart, pictured yesterday at the Pope's funeral mass Credit: Getty 15 The Pope addresses the crowds on Easter Sunday last weekend, before passing away the next morning Credit: Getty 15 He wanted an interment 'close to the ground' in a tomb at the Basilica of St Mary Major four miles away Credit: Getty Francis's dream of expanding his flock was reflected in the huge diversity of mourners, including Arabs and Africans in traditional garb and one VIP in a Native American-style headdress. In another break from tradition, Francis then became the first pope in more than 100 years to be buried outside the Vatican. He wanted an interment 'close to the ground' in a tomb at the Basilica of St Mary Major four miles away. Huge crowds lined the route to the church, the first place Francis prayed after his recent five-week stay in hospital when he was taken there in a white Fiat 500. Yesterday, his coffin was carried in his glass-topped Popemobile, passing banks of cheering crowds. In another major departure, an invited group of poor and needy faithful gathered on the steps of the Mary Major church to say farewell. 15 The Pope is entombed in his wooden coffin Credit: Vatican Media 15 The Pope's last journey in his coffin in St Peter's Square Credit: Getty 15 VIP mourners at the Pope's funeral Credit: Pacemaker 15 They were the last to salute the pontiff before his coffin was carried into the church for a private burial. Earlier, mourners hailed Francis's humble nature, as they gathered before dawn to celebrate him, many coming from around the world. Elizabeth Brannon, 47, who flew 1,400 miles from Aylesbury, Bucks, said: 'This is amazing for me. It's about my faith and it's the least I could do to be here.' She was joined by brother Robert Layzell, 51, and sister Rebecca Lee, 41, who had come from Australia. Elizabeth also held up a sign reading 'Hello Mum'. She said: 'My 87-year-old mum couldn't be here as she's broken two ribs and has a concussion so I'm here to represent her. Although emotional, the mood is not sombre. It's a celebration of his life and that's how he wanted to be remembered. Pope Francis was fantastic. It's so humbling how he wanted everything simple today. We could all learn a lesson from him Elizabeth Brannon, from Aylesbury, Bucks 'Pope Francis was fantastic. It's so humbling how he wanted everything simple today. We could all learn a lesson from him.' Robert added: 'Being buried in a more deprived area allows everyone to celebrate his life.' As his coffin was carried into the square, one woman sank to her knees and sobbed: 'Mi Papi.' Italian security gave out bottles of water in the balmy 22C heat as hymns played from the speakers. When the coffin was taken away, a silence descended. Some had their heads in their hands while others were deep in prayer. Catherine Richards, 28, who came from Launceston, Cornwall on Friday, shed a tear. She said: 'I'm feeling very emotional. It was so special. He was a pope for the people and you could see that in the crowd as all walks of life came together.' And one homeless local said in broken English: 'We are all welcome here.' Student Madison Gifford, 20, from Nebraska, said she was sitting next to two Germans who had come to pay respects straight from a club. I'm feeling very emotional. It was so special. He was a pope for the people and you could see that in the crowd as all walks of life came together Catherine Richards from Launceston, Cornwall She said: 'Non-Catholics came from a night out clubbing. Everyone is welcome and that's exactly what this day is supposed to be about. 'They kept repeating, 'This is so cool, it's once in a lifetime'.' Priest Nicolas Schwartz, from Luxembourg, added: 'What was so special was how simple it all was. 'When the coffin was taken out it was incredibly emotional and was such an amazing moment for me.' Georgia Clarke, 28, a youth minister at St Elizabeth of Portugal Church, in Richmond, South London, attended with young parish volunteers. She said: 'There's a mixture of joy and sadness — because we're not going to hear him anymore, we're not going to see his smile and we're not going to hear him joke, which he did frequently.' One teenager added: 'He was an extraordinary and kind man and we hope his legacy for love and peace will survive.' 15 Elizabeth Brannon, whose mum could not attend, said: 'Pope Francis was fantastic. It's so humbling how he wanted everything simple today' Credit: Darren Fletcher 15 A grieving nun clutches a prayer book close to her chest at the funeral Credit: Darren Fletcher 15 Madison Gifford said: 'Non-Catholics came from a night out clubbing. Everyone is welcome and that's exactly what this day is supposed to be about' Credit: Darren Fletcher 15
