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Extra.ie
17-05-2025
- Extra.ie
The Weekend Run with Liam Gaskin — A warm ride across Andalucía and a Suzuki made for fun
I was in Spain last week visiting some family, and although I had a car underneath me, I thought 'never waste a chance to ride a motorbike in warm, sunny and dry conditions'. As luck would have it, a pal of mine who lives in Spain for six months of the year (the jammy sod) has an oldy but goldy Pan European ST 1300, which after some persuasion he agreed to lend me for a day. I was staying in Malaga and travelling to Puerto Banus, just outside Marbella. I've done this run on a couple of occasions over the years and wanted to refresh my memory. Having left Malaga, I got lost and found myself travelling through Torremolinos and Benalmadena, which is really just high-rise hotel central. By a stroke of good luck, I found my way out of the concrete jungle and onto the motorway over the mountain. I've done this route several times, but I wanted to refresh my memory. Pic: Getty Images This is a three-lane mountain motorway. As you climb, you actually go under a cable car. What is that doing in this heat, where snow can only exist in a fridge? I have no Idea. As I was running late, I veered off the Motorway near Mijas and onto the inland toll road. Three things struck me at this point. The area was very lush and green, but by late June, it would be burnt brown by the sun. There were a lot of really nice fincas (small traditional country houses) which you could pick up quite cheaply if you didn't mind sweltering in the summer, as they are miles from any beach, and the toll was overpriced at €5.50. After that it was a gentle cruise into Puerto Banus, Spain's most affluent seaside resort and Mecca for the really rich and those who like watching really rich people on their yachts and swanning around in their Ralph Lauren shorts. Click here to check out the first leg of the run on the Detecht app. The run from Marbella to Malaga is a different beast, mainly on the coast road. This road was the most dangerous in Europe many years ago. It was and still is a dual carriageway with many slip roads off to beaches, hotels and apartments. However, in the past, there was no centre median, so if you wanted to turn left and you were in the fast lane, drivers just indicated and took their chances on what has always been a very busy road. The run from Marbella to Malaga is a different beast. Pic: Getty Images Carnage ensued! Cars, motorbikes and other forms of transport were regularly rear-ended or crashed headlong into oncoming traffic. As a pedestrian, you were literally dicing with death trying to cross this road, particularly in the Summer months. Due to a massive outcry from locals and falling tourist numbers, the authorities built the median from Malaga to Marbella. This brought deaths and crashes down dramatically. However, you must remember that most Spanish motorists like to think they are Formula 1 drivers, and from Fiats to Ferraris, they drive like they are racing for points. You cannot, and I stress cannot, lose concentration on this stretch of road. If you drive with a little focus, this stretch is well worth the run. The scenery is stunning. The stretches of the beach are golden, and the dark blue Mediterranean sea is calling you to take a dip. So bring your togs – skinny dipping in Spain can be frowned upon. Don't be in a hurry, explore and enjoy! Pic: Getty Images Don't be in a hurry, unlike the Spanish. Take a slight detour to Elviria for a magnificent stretch of beach or a beautiful little harbour called Cabopino. Here you can have a beverage and watch the little boats go in and out. Unlike Puerto Banus, where some of the yachts are so big they berth outside the harbour and fly in on helicopters. I wish, I wish! Click this link to the Detecht map for the second leg of this run. Remember, when you open the map, enlarge it to see the details. The Suzuki GSX-8S sits in the middleweight naked bike segment, making a strong case as a daily commuter and a weekend fun machine. I had a run out on the Suzuki in what is now becoming the norm in Ireland, great weather. It purrs nicely at 100 KPH, yet like a cat, it has loads more power to escape any situation quickly. Pic: Supplied This is a nifty machine, and one of its biggest strengths is its versatility. It's nimble and comfortable enough to weave through city traffic easily, yet powerful and composed enough for fun weekend runs. My first impression was how manoeuvrable it was. I took it on the M50 and was impressed by its smooth transition through the gears. It purrs nicely at 100KPH, yet like a cat, it has loads more power to quickly get out of any situation. It has a very handy Quick Shift System, which lets you shift up or down without operating the clutch lever. It also has my three favourite driving modes, which I like to call dry, wet and fast. And, as you would expect, it has ABS as Standard. The distinct muffler lets me know this is a bike to have fun with. This is a step up from Yamaha's MT-07. Pic: Supplied I took it into a housing estate to see how it managed at low speed and in tight situations, and it passed all tests with flying colours. On my way back to Megabikes in Ballymount, the expected tailback was on the M50. It appeared that a rather large truck decided to do some hedge trimming along the embankment. The Suzuki proved its manoeuvrability in tight situations by weaving in and out of the stalled traffic like the Road Runner. This is a step up from Yamaha's MT-07, and riders will appreciate the GSX-8S's more mature, confidence-inspiring feel. True to Suzuki's reputation, this bike is built with reliability in mind. Suzuki has a history of delivering exciting, reliable bikes at an excellent price point, and this is no exception. True to Suzuki's reputation, this bike is built with reliability in mind. Pic: Supplied In summary, the Suzuki GSX-8S is an outstanding all-rounder—ideal for commuters who want something thrilling for the weekends, and for riders who value quality engineering without breaking the bank. This is a bike I would recommend to anyone who wants a reliable commuter with whom they can have fun at the weekend. The sun must be getting to all the motorbike distributors because Suzuki Ireland is, for the month of May, offering the GSX-8S, which normally retails at €10,450, for €9,950 plus free soft side luggage worth €400. On yer bike, guys and gals! If you're interested in looking at Suzuki's promo video, click here, and if you'd like to learn more about its features and benefits, click here. Twenty-seven years ago, when David Buckley retired as a motorcycle cop, he established Celtic Horizon Tours, a hugely successful inbound and outbound travel agency. They specialise in sport, culture and fun tours. I think the fun aspect applies to motorcycle tours. David has been riding bikes since he was 20 years old! Pic: Supplied Dave has planned and led motorbike tours across Route 66, the West Coast of America, the Italian Alps, Spain, France, and almost anywhere you can think of. He is also the trip organiser, Chapter Secretary and Road Captain for The Blue Knights in Ireland. The Blue Knights are the global motorcycle club for serving and retired Gardai and Cops. I had a number of off-road dalliances as a teenager. Being from Cork, I was a regular visitor to Vermont to watch the motocross. I was 20 years old, joined the Guards and transferred to Dublin. A Triumph T500 (ex-Customs bike) A bit of a story: I got my licence through work initially, however, in the mid-90's I came home from working nights 'delighted' with my short journey time, my wife was pregnant at the time with child no 4, I decided more sensible options were needed and I sold the bike. As soon as I retired in 2007, one of the first things I did was buy a motorcycle – a Honda Pan European. Only then did I realise that the bike category had vanished from my licence Yes The Irish Photo Rally is a great incentive to get out and about on the bike. I love plotting my routes, leaving early in the morning and taking in a few long-distance sites in one ride-out. I have been t-boned once or twice, plus the usual spills. Approval is a strong word; no resistance could be more accurate. Before we got married, it was our only source of transport, but not since then. I have done Route 66 on several occasions and other tours in the US and Canada. I am the Chapter Secretary for the Blue Knights in Ireland. In 2023, we took almost 40 bikes to Constanta in Romania for a Convention, shipped them to Budapest with Overlanders and rode from there and back. In 2026, we have a Convention in Southern Italy; again, we are shipping the bikes with Overlanders to Memmingen, riding through the Balkans, crossing over from Albania, and coming back through Austria. My youngest son had one for several years, and my eldest daughter, having been a pillion for years, recently purchased and is now riding a BMW F750GS. Take every training course that comes your way and always try to upskill. Observation, observation, observation! Use your wing mirrors, but always glance over your shoulder before changing lane or turning. Wing mirrors are important but can give an incorrect impression of the distance cars or trucks are from you. South Dublin Bikers and GT Damian Sheridan organised a motorbike run for Darkness into Light and raised over €8,000 for Pieta House. Hundreds of riders took off at 4 am from the Maxol Service Station Spawell and rode to Kilmore Quay. Pic: Supplied Headline sponsor Joe Duffy Motorrad generously supported the run with a 5k donation. Hundreds of riders took off at 4 am from the Maxol Service Station Spawell and rode to Kilmore Quay in roughly 2 hours and 31 minutes. The main men and motivators behind this great run, Damian Sheridan, Lee Carberry Moran, say they were given tremendous help and support from Stephan Murphy, Barry Mahady, James Carroll, Eoghan McCann and many more too numerous to mention. GT Damian Sheridan sent me a link to a great video of the ride. Click here to take a look—It was definitely great craic for a great cause. Overlanders, an extremely well-respected Irish company, has been taking bikers there since May 2010. It was Overlanders' first-ever guided tour, and they have completed over 30 Morocco tours in the last 15 years. Overlanders has completed over 30 tours of Morocco. Pic: Supplied It's a tour that has grown in popularity ever since, and also one that bikers never get tired of, which I think says a lot. They run three Morocco Road Tours annually in April, October & November. Their next one is coming up on the 20th of October, a great time to get away to the sun on your bike, unless you prefer wet and windy Ireland. It's a tour that has grown in popularity. Pic: Supplied What makes this trip so special is the knowledge that David and the guys at Overlanders have accumulated over the years. They understand the local ways. The mountain trails, the beauty of the desert and the country's historic heritage, you can't beat doing a tour with someone who knows what it is all about. The Moroccan tour includes return shipping of your Motorcycle to/from Malaga, Spain. Return ferry to/from Morocco across the Strait of Gibraltar 12 days & 13 nights on tour (incl. arrival & departure nights in Malaga). B&B in quality 3-4 star hotels, Kasbahs, Riads, and select boutique accommodation. Six evening meals. Support vehicles for luggage transfers between hotels / in case of emergency/breakdown. Tour guide(s) – Overlanders and locals at local attractions, etc. Overlanders ship your bike to the start point for all of their European tours. Click here to check out some clips of a High-Atlas Mountain ride in Morocco, and click here to meet some of the locals in a remote village. You can't beat doing a tour with someone who knows what it's all about. Pic: Supplied However, Overlanders are far from a one-trick pony. They have fly and ride holidays to places like the Pyrenees, Greece, Sicily and Southern Italy, the Norwegian Fjordlands, Spain and Portugal, and lots more. If Morocco doesn't take your fancy, how about a trip to places like the Pyrenees, Greece, Sicily and Southern Italy? Pic: Supplied If you're feeling more adventurous, you might like their Southern Africa, Vietnam, Northern Thailand, Morocco Off-Road or Albania & Balkans tours. To cap it all off, Overlanders offer a Motorbike shipping service for Individuals, Groups, Clubs, etc, who want to manage their trip, enjoy their bikes at the start point, and return home at the end. They are also shipping 40 bikes to Memmingen, Germany, for the Blue Knights this month. You might like Southern Africa, Vietnam, or Northern Thailand? Pic: Supplied Check out all their tours here. Th is real Irish family business has earned a reputation for excellence internationally.
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Did Pope Francis die on Easter? Who will be the next pope? What happens when a pope dies
Pope Francis, the former Argentinian cardinal who often bucked age-old Vatican traditions in favor of more modern yet humble approaches, died after an extended respiratory illness on April 21, the Vatican confirmed. He was 88 years old. Here's what we know. Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires to Italian immigrant parents, was the 266th pope and the first from the Americas as well as the first born outside of Europe in over a millennium. When he was elected in 2013, Pope Francis said he chose his name in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, the 13th-century Italian friar who renounced his wealth to become "a man of peace, a man of poverty, a man who loved and protected creation,' according to the National Catholic Reporter. 'How I would love a church that is poor and for the poor," Francis, a Jesuit priest by order, told reporters at the time. In his papacy, he tried to commit to those ideals. Instead of taking residence in the Apostolic Palace, he stayed in a Vatican guesthouse. Rather than limousines, he rode in Fiats and Jeeps. His leadership — of over some 1.4 billion Catholics globally — will be remembered for outreach to women, immigrants and refugees, LGBTQ people, and people from other faiths. He sometimes took progressive or controversial stances on pressing issues, such as same-sex couples and climate change. For some, he was considered too radical in trying to enact change in the 2,000-year-old church. Others thought he was a fresh start to make faith again relevant in secular societies, with many adherents driven from Catholicism after decades of scandal, including corruption and child sex abuse. Still, critics, including the U.S.-based advocacy group New Ways Ministry, thought some of his views, such as the role of women in the church, were outdated, but they thought the Vatican laid the groundwork for future change on some positions. The election of a new pope is a highly mystified and sacred process, dating back centuries and enshrined in last year's award-winning thriller "Conclave." The last time the College of Cardinals gathered to vote and select the next representative of God on Earth was more than a dozen years ago, when Pope Francis was selected. His predecessor, Pope Benedict, stepped down from the papacy in 2013, a decision that had not been made by someone of his station in almost 600 years. Benedict, then 85, cited his age and declining health. He died in 2022. After the pope's death, a formal set of practices codified by the 1996 document "Universi Dominici Gregis" — Of the Lord's Whole Flock — prompts formal notifications, the sealing of the pontiff's rooms and papers, and the destruction of the papal signet ring. Barring extenuating circumstances, popes are to be buried four to six days after their deaths. Papal funerals by the Roman Catholic Church typically draw millions of mourners to Rome, including some world leaders. The College of Cardinals, or the church's most senior officials residing either at the Vatican or spread across the world, gather in Rome to choose the next pope. The college is also acting head of the church in the interim. Not all cardinals get to vote, though. Since 1975, only those younger than 80 can participate in the papal conclave. As of Jan. 22, there were 252 cardinals, of whom 138 are electors, according to the Vatican. Usually, within 15 to 20 days after the papacy is vacated, cardinal electors meet in the Sistine Chapel and begin the strictly secretive voting process. Throughout the conclave, cardinals are under an oath of silence and forbidden contact with the outside world. Although any baptized man may become the next pope, since the 14th century, all those selected have held the rank of cardinal. Here are five leading candidates for the papacy, according to Newsweek: Angelo Scola, 82, Italy Peter Erdő, 72, Hungary Peter Turkson, 76, Ghana Pietro Parolin, 70, Italy Luis Antonio Tagle, 67, Philippines The Roman Catholic Church considers Saint Peter as the first pope. One of Jesus Christ's 12 apostles, Peter, is thought to have been the first bishop of Rome. However, there is some debate about recognizing Saint Peter as the first pope, with some pointing out that the idea of the papacy didn't emerge until the early sixth century, according to Modern Reformation. For the past several centuries, popes have traditionally lived in the Papal Apartments of the Apostolic Palace, located on over 100 acres of land called the Vatican within the city of Rome, Italy. Popes general live in the apartments for ten months of the year and spends July and August in the Castel Gandolfo residence outside of Rome, according to Vatican Tips. Pope Francis was the first pope since Pope Pius X in 1903 to choose not to live in the Papal Apartments. Instead, he resided in a Vatican guesthouse called the Domus Sanctae Marthae. — USA TODAY reporters Phaedra Trethan, Jeanine Santucci, Eduardo Cuevas and Savannah Kuchar contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Did Pope Francis die on Easter? Who will be the next pope?
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Pope Francis, 266th occupant of the throne of St. Peter has died
Pope Francis, the former Argentinian cardinal who often bucked age-old Vatican traditions in favor of more modern yet humble approaches, died after an extended respiratory illness on April 21, the Vatican confirmed. He was 88 years old. The pope, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires to Italian immigrant parents, was the first pope from the Americas and the first born outside of Europe in over a millennia. When he was elected in 2013, Pope Francis said he chose his name in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, the 13th-century Italian friar who renounced his wealth to become "a man of peace, a man of poverty, a man who loved and protected creation,' according to the National Catholic Reporter. 'How I would love a church that is poor and for the poor," Francis, a Jesuit priest by order, told reporters at the time. In his papacy, he tried to commit to those ideals. Instead of taking residence in the Apostolic Palace, he stayed in a Vatican guesthouse. Rather than limousines, he rode in Fiats and Jeeps. His leadership – of over some 1.4 billion Catholics globally – will be remembered for outreach to women, immigrants and refugees, LGBTQ people, and people from other faiths. He sometimes took progressive or controversial stances on pressing issues, such as same-sex couples and climate change. For some, he was considered too radical in trying to enact change in the 2,000-year-old church. Others thought he was a fresh start to make faith again relevant in secular societies, with many adherents driven from Catholicism after decades of scandal, including corruption and child sex abuse. Still, critics, including the U.S.-based advocacy group New Ways Ministry, thought some of his views – such as the role of women in the church – were outdated, but they thought the Vatican laid the groundwork for future change on some positions. While Francis sought to be a modernizing force, he was already 76 years old by the time he was elected by the conclave to lead the church. Early in his papacy, he suspected he only had 'two or three years' left to live before he'd be 'off to the Father's house,' he told reporters. Despite this, he would continue to lead the Catholic Church, even if he had health problems that seemingly increased with time and severity. In early February, he canceled several events and by the middle of the month was hospitalized for bronchitis. He had reportedly struggled to breathe and speak. On Feb. 18 he was diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia. He would have several visits to the papal wing at Gemelli Hospital in Rome and an extended stay in the hospital. After 38 days in hospital, Francis returned to his Vatican residence at the Casa Santa Marta to continue his recovery. He died there the morning of Easter Monday. He had fallen in both December and January, suffering minor injuries and requiring him to use a cane or wheelchair at some events. Last year, he skipped his traditional homily during Palm Sunday in March, but he still presided over Easter Mass that drew thousands to St. Peter's Square in Vatican City. Decades before, in 1957, he underwent surgery to remove one of his lungs after a severe respiratory infection, Catholic News Service reported. On March 13, 2013, Francis succeeded Pope Benedict XVI, who was the first pope to retire in six centuries. Francis became the 266th occupant of the papacy, which dates back to St. Peter, the disciple of Jesus Christ, who is considered the first pope. The Vatican's biography of Francis names him 'the first Pope of the Americas.' Before being elected to the papacy, he was Cardinal Bergoglio, archbishop of Buenos Aires. He became the first pope from Latin America, the first from the Southern Hemisphere, and the first non-European since Syrian-born Gregory III, who served in the eighth century. In doing so, Francis elevated the role in the Roman Catholic Church of what he has called 'peripheries' of the world in the "Global South.' His first visit was to Rio de Janeiro, gathering 3.5 million people to Copacabana Beach in 2013. He'd travel around the world – from the largest papal event in history with a 2015 mass in Manila that drew up to 7 million people in the deeply Catholic country of the Philippines, to being the first pope to visit Mongolia, Iraq and the deeply Muslim Arabian Peninsula. He made stops along the way in Congo, Kazakhstan and Myanmar, among other countries. He sought to ensure a more diverse future for the church, especially since at least three-quarters of Catholics live outside of Europe. During his first decade as pope, Francis named 121 cardinals representing 66 countries, composed of about 20% from Latin America and the Caribbean; 19% from Asia and the Pacific; and 13% from sub-Saharan Africa, according to the Pew Research Center. 'Diversity is necessary; it is indispensable,' Francis said in a 2023 homily, when he appointed 21 cardinals from around the world – including the first from South Sudan and the second from Malaysia – Reuters reported. At the same time, Francis, named in honor of the patron saint of ecology, prioritized climate change as the world has come to feel worsening effects of a warming planet, particularly among those in poverty who are at most risk from extreme weather events. Early in his papacy, he issued a 183-page encyclical, titled 'On Care for Our Common Home,' the first entirely written under his leadership. 'The urgent challenge to protect our common home includes a concern to bring the whole human family together to seek a sustainable and integral development, for we know that things can change," he said. He also frequently criticized capitalism and the rise of nationalism and populism, though shrugged off accusations of Marxism and communism. After the COVID-19 pandemic, he warned against plunging even more deeply into 'feverish consumerism and new forms of egotistic self-preservation.' Flashback: Pope Francis marks start to papacy with inaugural Mass Francis was known for his outreach to communities historically marginalized by the church or societies writ large. He championed migrants and refugees, as well as others who were poor, sick and disabled, and older. He declared in 2023 that 'being homosexual isn't a crime.' While not a full embrace of LGBTQ+ people, his statement made headlines globally. That same year, he welcomed transgender women to lunch at the Vatican. A month later, he approved blessing same-sex couples, though he distinguished such blessings from the sacrament of marriage. In the same declaration, he approved of blessings for divorced or remarried people. Still, he reaffirmed the church's doctrine that marriage was a union between a man and woman. While bucking some trends, he remained committed to church stances on abortion, calling it 'homicide.' However, he has written to forgive people for what the church viewed as the sin of abortion, as CNN reported. Looking at the United States, he told Catholics in the 2024 presidential election to 'choose the lesser evil' between President Donald Trump and then-Vice President Kamala Harris who were both 'against life.' Whereas Trump promised to deport millions of immigrants and turn away migrants, Harris supported abortion rights, which he referred to as killing a human being. But not voting, he said, is 'ugly. You must vote.' In February, Francis again criticized Trump's immigration policies. Without naming the president in an open letter to American bishops, Francis said the president's policies would 'end badly.' Francis also criticized Vice President JD Vance, who converted to Catholicism in 2019. Vance has cited the Catholic theological concept of 'order of love' to justify American-centric policies that turn away others globally. Francis didn't agree. 'I exhort all the faithful of the Catholic Church, and all men and women of good will, not to give in to narratives that discriminate against and cause unnecessary suffering to our migrant and refugee brothers and sisters,' Francis wrote. Stay in the conversation on politics: Sign up for the OnPolitics newsletter Born on Dec. 17, 1936, Francis was one of five children. His father, Mario, was an accountant and his mother, Regina, was a 'committed wife,' according to the Vatican biography. Francis studied chemistry in college and was ordained as a priest in 1969, entering the Jesuit order. He obtained degrees in philosophy and theology from Colegio de San Jose in San Miguel, teaching literature and psychology in Argentinian colleges. While he often butted heads with fellow Jesuits, he rose through the church in Argentina, eventually serving as a bishop. In 2001, Pope John Paul II appointed him as a cardinal. He asked people not to go to Rome to celebrate his new title, his Vatican biography said, but to use what they would have spent on the trip to donate to the poor. Over a decade ago, he was so sure he wouldn't be elected pope that he almost missed the final vote altogether while speaking with another cardinal outside the Sistine Chapel. 'The master of ceremonies came out and said 'Are you going in or not?'' Francis recalled in a recent interview with The Associated Press. 'I realized afterward that it was my unconscious resistance to going in.' He was elected the 266th pope on the next ballot. Contributing: Reuters This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Francis, the 266th pope, served for 12 years
USA Today
21-04-2025
- Politics
- USA Today
Pope Francis, 266th occupant of the throne of St. Peter has died
Pope Francis, 266th occupant of the throne of St. Peter has died Pope Francis, orginally of Argentina, succeeded Pope Benedict XVI, the first pope to retire in six centuries. Pope Francis, the former Argentinian cardinal who often bucked age-old Vatican traditions in favor of more modern yet humble approaches, died after an extended respiratory illness on April 21, the Vatican confirmed. He was 88 years old. The pope, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires to Italian immigrant parents, was the first pope from the Americas and the first born outside of Europe in over a millennia. When he was elected in 2013, Pope Francis said he chose his name in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, the 13th-century Italian friar who renounced his wealth to become "a man of peace, a man of poverty, a man who loved and protected creation,' according to the National Catholic Reporter. 'How I would love a church that is poor and for the poor," Francis, a Jesuit priest by order, told reporters at the time. In his papacy, he tried to commit to those ideals. Instead of taking residence in the Apostolic Palace, he stayed in a Vatican guesthouse. Rather than limousines, he rode in Fiats and Jeeps. His leadership – of over some 1.4 billion Catholics globally – will be remembered for outreach to women, immigrants and refugees, LGBTQ people, and people from other faiths. He sometimes took progressive or controversial stances on pressing issues, such as same-sex couples and climate change. For some, he was considered too radical in trying to enact change in the 2,000-year-old church. Others thought he was a fresh start to make faith again relevant in secular societies, with many adherents driven from Catholicism after decades of scandal, including corruption and child sex abuse. Still, critics, including the U.S.-based advocacy group New Ways Ministry, thought some of his views – such as the role of women in the church – were outdated, but they thought the Vatican laid the groundwork for future change on some positions. The pope's worsening health While Francis sought to be a modernizing force, he was already 76 years old by the time he was elected by the conclave to lead the church. Early in his papacy, he suspected he only had 'two or three years' left to live before he'd be 'off to the Father's house,' he told reporters. Despite this, he would continue to lead the Catholic Church, even if he had health problems that seemingly increased with time and severity. In early February, he canceled several events and by the middle of the month was hospitalized for bronchitis. He had reportedly struggled to breathe and speak. On Feb. 18 he was diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia. He would have several visits to the papal wing at Gemelli Hospital in Rome and an extended stay in the hospital. After 38 days in hospital, Francis returned to his Vatican residence at the Casa Santa Marta to continue his recovery. He died there the morning of Easter Monday. He had fallen in both December and January, suffering minor injuries and requiring him to use a cane or wheelchair at some events. Last year, he skipped his traditional homily during Palm Sunday in March, but he still presided over Easter Mass that drew thousands to St. Peter's Square in Vatican City. Decades before, in 1957, he underwent surgery to remove one of his lungs after a severe respiratory infection, Catholic News Service reported. 'First pope of the Americas,' prioritizing climate On March 13, 2013, Francis succeeded Pope Benedict XVI, who was the first pope to retire in six centuries. Francis became the 266th occupant of the papacy, which dates back to St. Peter, the disciple of Jesus Christ, who is considered the first pope. The Vatican's biography of Francis names him 'the first Pope of the Americas.' Before being elected to the papacy, he was Cardinal Bergoglio, archbishop of Buenos Aires. He became the first pope from Latin America, the first from the Southern Hemisphere, and the first non-European since Syrian-born Gregory III, who served in the eighth century. In doing so, Francis elevated the role in the Roman Catholic Church of what he has called 'peripheries' of the world in the "Global South.' His first visit was to Rio de Janeiro, gathering 3.5 million people to Copacabana Beach in 2013. He'd travel around the world – from the largest papal event in history with a 2015 mass in Manila that drew up to 7 million people in the deeply Catholic country of the Philippines, to being the first pope to visit Mongolia, Iraq and the deeply Muslim Arabian Peninsula. He made stops along the way in Congo, Kazakhstan and Myanmar, among other countries. He sought to ensure a more diverse future for the church, especially since at least three-quarters of Catholics live outside of Europe. During his first decade as pope, Francis named 121 cardinals representing 66 countries, composed of about 20% from Latin America and the Caribbean; 19% from Asia and the Pacific; and 13% from sub-Saharan Africa, according to the Pew Research Center. 'Diversity is necessary; it is indispensable,' Francis said in a 2023 homily, when he appointed 21 cardinals from around the world – including the first from South Sudan and the second from Malaysia – Reuters reported. At the same time, Francis, named in honor of the patron saint of ecology, prioritized climate change as the world has come to feel worsening effects of a warming planet, particularly among those in poverty who are at most risk from extreme weather events. Early in his papacy, he issued a 183-page encyclical, titled 'On Care for Our Common Home,' the first entirely written under his leadership. 'The urgent challenge to protect our common home includes a concern to bring the whole human family together to seek a sustainable and integral development, for we know that things can change," he said. He also frequently criticized capitalism and the rise of nationalism and populism, though shrugged off accusations of Marxism and communism. After the COVID-19 pandemic, he warned against plunging even more deeply into 'feverish consumerism and new forms of egotistic self-preservation.' Flashback: Pope Francis marks start to papacy with inaugural Mass Embracing LGBTQ people, divorced Catholics, women Francis was known for his outreach to communities historically marginalized by the church or societies writ large. He championed migrants and refugees, as well as others who were poor, sick and disabled, and older. He declared in 2023 that 'being homosexual isn't a crime.' While not a full embrace of LGBTQ+ people, his statement made headlines globally. That same year, he welcomed transgender women to lunch at the Vatican. A month later, he approved blessing same-sex couples, though he distinguished such blessings from the sacrament of marriage. In the same declaration, he approved of blessings for divorced or remarried people. Still, he reaffirmed the church's doctrine that marriage was a union between a man and woman. While bucking some trends, he remained committed to church stances on abortion, calling it 'homicide.' However, he has written to forgive people for what the church viewed as the sin of abortion, as CNN reported. Looking at the United States, he told Catholics in the 2024 presidential election to 'choose the lesser evil' between President Donald Trump and then-Vice President Kamala Harris who were both 'against life.' Whereas Trump promised to deport millions of immigrants and turn away migrants, Harris supported abortion rights, which he referred to as killing a human being. But not voting, he said, is 'ugly. You must vote.' In February, Francis again criticized Trump's immigration policies. Without naming the president in an open letter to American bishops, Francis said the president's policies would 'end badly.' Francis also criticized Vice President JD Vance, who converted to Catholicism in 2019. Vance has cited the Catholic theological concept of 'order of love' to justify American-centric policies that turn away others globally. Francis didn't agree. 'I exhort all the faithful of the Catholic Church, and all men and women of good will, not to give in to narratives that discriminate against and cause unnecessary suffering to our migrant and refugee brothers and sisters,' Francis wrote. Stay in the conversation on politics: Sign up for the OnPolitics newsletter A life of teaching, service and priestly pursuits Born on Dec. 17, 1936, Francis was one of five children. His father, Mario, was an accountant and his mother, Regina, was a 'committed wife,' according to the Vatican biography. Francis studied chemistry in college and was ordained as a priest in 1969, entering the Jesuit order. He obtained degrees in philosophy and theology from Colegio de San Jose in San Miguel, teaching literature and psychology in Argentinian colleges. While he often butted heads with fellow Jesuits, he rose through the church in Argentina, eventually serving as a bishop. In 2001, Pope John Paul II appointed him as a cardinal. He asked people not to go to Rome to celebrate his new title, his Vatican biography said, but to use what they would have spent on the trip to donate to the poor. Over a decade ago, he was so sure he wouldn't be elected pope that he almost missed the final vote altogether while speaking with another cardinal outside the Sistine Chapel. 'The master of ceremonies came out and said 'Are you going in or not?'' Francis recalled in a recent interview with The Associated Press. 'I realized afterward that it was my unconscious resistance to going in.' He was elected the 266th pope on the next ballot. Contributing: Reuters
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26-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
5 Used Cars You Shouldn't Buy
Buying a used car can be a savvy move if you want a reliable vehicle at an affordable price. However, some used cars aren't great investments. Purchasing some of these cars means you might be stuck with transmission issues, questionable build quality or experience a higher likelihood of deprecation. Trending Now: For You: GOBankingRates spoke to several automotive professionals about used cars that are more of a financial hassle than a deal. Stay away from purchasing these five used cars. Used Fiats have become such a regretted purchase among car buyers that the vehicle has its unflattering acronym: Fix It Again Tony. Over the years Fiat has been in the United States, Carl Anthony, managing editor at Automoblog, said reliability and quality ratings from industry sources like Consumer Reports and J.D. Power have been lower than expected. If you're shopping for a used Fiat, Leland Jones, founder and CEO of Ceramic King Coatings, said to steer clear of any 2012 through 2016 Fiat 500 cars. Among other issues to anticipate, Jones said buyers may experience clutch failure and high repair costs. Discover More: Buyers who see a used Ford Escape for sale might want to keep looking. Joe Giranda, director of sales and marketing for CFR Classic, said used Ford Escape cars are plagued with transmission issues like shuddering and jerking. Another major issue with these used cars is the suspension which needs frequent maintenance. Even after being discontinued by Volkswagen in 2015, the Volkswagen Eos is among one of the worst used convertibles to purchase. 'It is prone to mechanical problems, particularly with its power windows and convertible top mechanisms, resulting in high repair costs,' Giranda said. 'Owners have also reported frequent suspension issues.' According to certain model year 2015 Chrysler 200 vehicles have been recalled by Chrysler. Some of the reasons why this particular model was recalled include electrical system wiring issues and power failures in the electrical system. Jones adds these used vehicles have engine issues and speed control problems. You may feel like you can impress everyone with a used or secondhand BMW, but Jones does not recommend purchasing this used car no matter what year it is. 'The cost on those vehicles tends to be insane,' Jones said. 'There's a high cost of maintenance and repair expenses are through the roof. Not to mention if you wanted an extended service contract. In my experience, they just bring issue after issue.' More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on 5 Used Cars You Shouldn't Buy
