Latest news with #GLOBAL
India Today
4 days ago
- Health
- India Today
One organ donor can save 8 lives, yet 5 lakh people await transplants yearly
Organ donation can be considered the purest form of service to mankind and the highest form of evolution a species can go through to prolong the life of fellow brain injury refers to brain damage that can result from road traffic accidents, massive brain haemorrhage, hypoxia ischemic encephalopathy, or diffuse axonal injury. During a brain death, there is a window of time within which the viable vitals organs can be harvested from a donor's body, with full consent from their family. The most commonly retrieved organs include the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, pancreas and the small intestine, along with other parts such as the cornea, skin and hands. advertisementUNDERSTANDING BRAIN DEATHBrain death refers to a condition where most vitals organs are functioning, but the brain is dead and unrecoverable. A team of health care professionals conducts tests such as the apnea test, brain stem reflexes and sometimes cerebral angiography to declare brain death. Once the brain is declared dead, continued care at the hospital is often considered futile. However, before withdrawing ventilator support, the patient's family is given some time to decide whether they are willing to donate the patient's organs. Organ donation is a righteous act as one patient's organs alone can fuel life into more than seven people. Unfortunately, the decision to donate falls on family members during the darkest and lowest phase of their lives, when they are grappling with the loss of a loved Karnataka, organ allocation is carried out by a government body named Jeeva Sarthakathe, which oversees the allocation of organs to recipients after receiving consent from the patient's family. Unfortunately, in India, despite receiving more than 2 lakh registrations for organ donation annually, only about 18,000 organ transplants actually take place each the immense difference that organ donation can make in an individual's life, it is crucial for every Indian to recognise of the importance of this selfless act and take part in spreading awareness. By being a donor, one can cross religious, political, and economic boundaries and stand true to the saying: "One body, Many lives".WHO / GLOBAL OBSERVATORY ON DONATION AND TRANSPLANTATION (GODT)The GODT compiles global, regional, and country-level data on organ donation and transplantation in its most recent summaries (2022–2023 data):Over 146,000 solid organ transplants were performed globally in 2022 — an 8.7% increase compared to 2021, yet only a fraction of the global transplants make up the majority (~65%), followed by liver (~22%), heart (~8%), and lung (~4%).Living donor transplants represent ~39% of kidney transplants and ~20% of liver transplants rates vary widely: Spain, the U.S., and some EU countries report over 40 deceased donors per million population (pmp), while many countries in Asia and Africa report <5 pmp.(Source: WHO & GODT)Inputs by Dr Lohit Shetty Raju, Consultant - HPB and Liver Transplantation Surgery, Manipal Hospital, Bengaluru- EndsMust Watch
Yahoo
24-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Two-time Academy Award Nominee Jeremy Renner to Headline Global Down Syndrome Foundation's Star-studded Event
GLOBAL's Award-Winning Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show will honor GLOBAL Ambassador Guion Macsovits and Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Awardee Kevin Iannucci Denver, July 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, Global Down Syndrome Foundation (GLOBAL) announced two-time Academy Award nominee Jeremy Renner and a fantastic celebrity lineup for its annual Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show, the largest Down syndrome fundraiser in the world. 'I'm honored to be invited back to GLOBAL's amazing event and to hang out with some of the coolest people who happen to have Down syndrome,' says Jeremy. 'I'm excited to give back in a meaningful way, to help raise funds for research that will lead to healthier, longer lives. It's going to be a great night, and I hope we can break some records!' 'We are thrilled to have Jeremy Renner, Ambassador Guion Macsovits, and Quincy Jones Awardee Kevin Iannucci join our GLOBAL family,' says GLOBAL President & CEO, Michelle Sie Whitten. 'Our Down syndrome community is so grateful that Jeremy is fully recovered, and we are excited to provide his New York Times bestseller, My Next Breath, as a gift for attendees. Guion and Kevin are both brilliant and beautiful role models who are helping us break stereotypes and showing the world that if society gives us a chance, people with Down syndrome can reach their goals and live their dreams. But we have to have good health and a long life to succeed, and that's where we come in.' The event will honor Jeremy's friend, GLOBAL Ambassador Guion Macsovits, and Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Awardee, Champions actor Kevin Iannucci. They will join award-winning film and TV actor John C. McGinley; beloved actress from the longest primetime TV drama on ABC, 'Grey's Anatomy' Caterina Scorsone; model and actress Amanda Booth; and award-winning local NBC anchor Kim Christiansen, who will emcee the event. In its 17th year, the award-winning event will be held on Saturday, October 18 at the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel. Proceeds will benefit GLOBAL's life-saving and transformative research and medical care. 'I'm excited to have one of my favorite superheroes, Jeremy Renner, back at the fashion show,' says Ambassador Guion Macsovits. 'I went to his house and to an Avengers movie premiere. He told me I was a 'real superhero.' It was one of the best nights of my life.' Guion Macsovits is a fun-loving 18-year-old with a heart as big as his smile. He recently graduated from Cherry Creek High School, where he was known for his kindness, thoughtfulness, and the way he naturally makes people feel valued. Whether holding the door between bells, checking in on a friend, or offering a word of encouragement, Guion has a way of making the world a little brighter. His emotional intelligence is off the charts, and he leads with empathy in everything he does. Ambassador Guion and his family will work closely with GLOBAL to make sure it raises both funds and awareness towards elongating life and improving health outcomes for children and adults with Down syndrome. 'I am so grateful to the Global Down Syndrome Foundation for giving me this important award,' says Kevin. 'It is even more meaningful as we lost the iconic Quincy Jones last year. I hope that all my Champions friends and castmates are going to join us for this amazing event that is helping to save lives through research and medical care. Can't wait to raise some funds and hit the runway!' Kevin Iannucci was born and raised in Raleigh, North Carolina. He has quickly distinguished himself as one of today's most sought-after young talents with Down syndrome, with an impressive body of work that has earned him a reputation as a favorite among prestigious directors. He will receive GLOBAL's highest honor – the Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Award. Past recipients include Jamie Foxx, DeOndra Dixon, Woody Harrelson, Sofia Sanchez, Bobby Farrelly, Madison Tevlin, Caterina Scorsone, Eric Dane, Jamie Brewer, Colin Farrell, Tim Harris, John Lynch, Zack Gottsagen, John C. McGinley, Karen Gaffney, Eva Longoria, Frank Stephens, Kyra Phillips, Marián Ávila, and Beverly Johnson. GLOBAL's advocacy and lobbying efforts with Congress and outreach to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have resulted in an unprecedented increase of the national Down syndrome research budget, from $27 million in 2016 to over $140 million in 2024. Proceeds from the Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show support the important work of GLOBAL and GLOBAL's affiliates, including a team of over 400 scientists working on breakthrough life-saving research at the Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome and the CU Alzheimer's & Cognition Center, and a dream team of medical professionals providing excellent medical care to over 2,500 patients from 33 states and 10 countries at the Anna and John J. Sie Center at Children's Hospital Colorado. To learn more, visit: and follow us on social media for updates: Facebook, X, Instagram, and LinkedIn. To sponsor a table or buy tickets, visit: orhttps:// For celebrity interviews, additional information, imagery, or to cover the Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show, please contact trishdavis0707@ For more information on the Global Down Syndrome Foundation, please visit About Global Down Syndrome Foundation The Global Down Syndrome Foundation (GLOBAL) is the largest non-profit in the U.S. working to save lives and dramatically improve health outcomes for people with Down syndrome. GLOBAL established the first Down syndrome research institute and supports over 400 scientists and over 2,500 patients with Down syndrome from 33 states and 10 countries. Working closely with Congress and the National Institutes of Health, GLOBAL is the lead advocacy organization in the U.S. for Down syndrome research and care. GLOBAL has a membership of over 100 Down syndrome organizations worldwide, and is part of a network of Affiliates – the Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, the Sie Center for Down Syndrome, the University of Colorado Alzheimer's and Cognition Center – all on the Anschutz Medical Campus, and the GLOBAL Adult Down Syndrome Clinic at Denver Health. GLOBAL's widely circulated medical publications include Global Medical Care Guidelines for Adults with Down Syndrome, Prenatal & Newborn Down Syndrome Information, and the award-winning magazine Down Syndrome World TM. GLOBAL also organizes the annual AcceptAbility Gala in Washington DC, and the annual Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show, the largest Down syndrome fundraiser in the world. Visit and follow us on social media Facebook, X, Instagram, and LinkedIn. CONTACT: Anca Call Global Down Syndrome Foundation (720) 320-3832 Trisha Davis Global Down Syndrome Foundation (818) 640-9259 trishdavis0707@ in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Global Down Syndrome Foundation & Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network Sign Multi-Year Collaboration Agreement
Global Down Syndrome Foundation Global Down Syndrome Foundation Denver, Stillwater, Minn, June 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, Global Down Syndrome Foundation (GLOBAL) and Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network (DSDN) are proud to announce a multi-year collaboration agreement to educate moms of children with Down syndrome – particularly those in the early years – about important medical care resources and research opportunities. The agreement builds on GLOBAL and DSDN's past five year collaboration and ensures hundreds of DSDN Rockin' Mom® Retreat attendees can continue to participate in the GLOBAL Research & Medical Care Roundtable (GLOBAL Roundtable) as a free benefit. It also provides new collaboration and support for DSDN's core parent resources, including peer-to-peer support groups and online communities hosted in the DSDN App, where families connect by birth year, co-occurring conditions, and shared identities. The GLOBAL Roundtable has educated over 900 moms of infants and young children on cutting-edge scientific breakthroughs, clinical trials, medical best practices and more. Surveys associated with the GLOBAL Roundtable consistently average 4.8 out of 5, highlighting its impact. Anyone who has registered for the DSDN Rockin' Mom® Retreat can register for the GLOBAL Roundtable for free. This year's DSDN Rockin' Mom® Retreat will be held in Pine Mountain, Georgia from September 19-20. The GLOBAL Roundtable includes welcome remarks from DSDN Executive Director, Melissa Shutwell, GLOBAL President & CEO, Michelle Sie Whitten, and GLOBAL Vice President for Research and Medical Care, Bryn Gelaro. Below is the 2025 GLOBAL Roundtable panel of renowned Down syndrome experts: Joaquín Espinosa, PhD, Executive Director, Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome (Crnic Institute) – Dr. Espinosa will discuss the latest research topics (including the first pediatric immune system dysregulation Jak Inhibitor clinical trial) from the Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome. Nicole Baumer, MD, MEd, Director, Anna and John J. Sie Center for Down Syndrome at Children's Hospital Colorado – Dr. Baumer will provide an overview of neurodevelopmental conditions (including Autism, ADHD) in early childhood and ways to support. Emily McCourt, MD, Chief of Pediatric Ophthalmology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus – Dr. McCourt will discuss the eye care needs for children with Down syndrome during their first few years of age (including keratoconus, strabismus, and glaucoma). Sujata Bardhan, MS, PhD, Program Director in the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Branch at the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), National Institutes of Health (NIH) – Dr. Bardhan will discuss The NIH INCLUDE Project: Accelerating Research Discoveries for People with Down Syndrome Across the Lifespan (including potential for families to get involved and participate). 'DSDN has supported more than 25,000 parents through our online peer-to-peer support groups over the past 10 years and has welcomed over 3,000 moms to our annual Rockin' Mom Retreats,' says DSDN Executive Director and mom to a 9-year-old with Down syndrome, Melissa Shutwell. 'The Rockin' Mom Retreat is a chance to connect, recharge, and be inspired—and thanks to GLOBAL's support, it's also a space where attendees can stay informed about the latest research and medical care for their children. The GLOBAL Roundtable is a favorite among many of our moms, and we're grateful to continue this collaboration to keep such a valuable resource at the heart of our retreat for years to come.' 'We have supported DSDN from its very early years, and we are amazed and impressed at how fast the organization has grown,' says Michelle Sie Whitten, GLOBAL President & CEO, and parent of a young adult with Down syndrome. 'The information and network they provide for moms and families is so important and we are proud to be a part of that. Any mom who hasn't attended a Rockin' Mom Retreat should absolutely check it out!' 'Every year it is exciting to work with Melissa and her team and bring together world-renowned Down syndrome experts to speak at the DSDN Rockin' Mom Retreat GLOBAL Roundtable,' says Bryn Gelaro, GLOBAL Vice President of Research & Medical Care. 'While the complimentary mimosa or sangria makes things fun, these moms are super smart and contribute so much to the conversation. I'm convinced this not only helps their own children but their local communities as well.' To learn more about the DSDN Rockin' Mom® Retreat, visit ### About the DSDN The Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network (DSDN) is the leading organization dedicated to supporting families who receive a Down syndrome diagnosis for their child. Since 2014, DSDN has supported more than 25,000 families through peer-to-peer support, medical condition-specific groups, educational resources, and community-building experiences. DSDN creates safe, inclusive spaces for parents to share their experiences, access real-time support, and build lifelong relationships that strengthen their ability to care for both their children and themselves. In addition to its robust parent network, DSDN is a national leader in improving the Down syndrome diagnosis experience. The organization partners with healthcare professionals to provide training, resources, and direct feedback from families to ensure that diagnoses are delivered with empathy, accuracy, and immediate access to support. Through this work, DSDN is helping raise the standard for how Down syndrome diagnoses are shared and received. DSDN is best known for its vibrant online support groups and its annual Rockin' Mom® and Rockin' Dad™ Retreats, which have welcomed thousands of parents for weekends of connection, rest, and inspiration. Learn more at and follow DSDN on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok. About Global Down Syndrome Foundation The Global Down Syndrome Foundation (GLOBAL) is the largest non-profit in the U.S. working to save lives and dramatically improve health outcomes for people with Down syndrome. GLOBAL established the first Down syndrome research institute and supports over 400 scientists and over 2,500 patients with Down syndrome from 33 states and 10 countries. Working closely with Congress and the National Institutes of Health, GLOBAL is the lead advocacy organization in the U.S. for Down syndrome research and care. GLOBAL has a membership of over 100 Down syndrome organizations worldwide, and is part of a network of Affiliates – the Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, the Sie Center for Down Syndrome, the University of Colorado Alzheimer's and Cognition Center – all on the Anschutz Medical Campus, and the GLOBAL Adult Down Syndrome Clinic at Denver Health. GLOBAL's widely circulated medical publications include Global Medical Care Guidelines for Adults with Down Syndrome, Prenatal & Newborn Down Syndrome Information, and the award-winning magazine Down Syndrome World TM. GLOBAL also organizes the annual AcceptAbility Gala in Washington DC, and the annual Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show, the largest Down syndrome fundraiser in the world. Visit and follow us on social media Facebook, X, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Attachments Global Down Syndrome Foundation Global Down Syndrome Foundation CONTACT: Anca E. Call Global Down Syndrome Foundation (720) 320-3832 acall@ Bryn Gelaro Global Down Syndrome Foundation (410) 522-8035 bgelaro@ while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
GLOBAL Raises $450,000 at their AcceptAbility Gala as Celebrities & Congress Step Out for People with Down Syndrome
Global Down Syndrome Foundation Honored Reps. Aderholt and DeGette at Event that Featured Multiplatinum Artist & Actor Phillip Phillips and Inclusive Dance Team Global Down Syndrome Foundation - AcceptAbility Gala Global Down Syndrome Foundation - AcceptAbility Gala Denver, May 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On Wednesday, the Global Down Syndrome Foundation (GLOBAL) held its seventh annual AcceptAbility Gala, Washington DC's largest fundraiser for people with Down syndrome, raising $450,000 to support important research and medical care benefiting people with Down syndrome. Representatives Robert Aderholt (R-AL) and Diana DeGette (D-CO) received GLOBAL's highest honor, the Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Award, and pledged their continued strong advocacy in Congress to improve the lives of people with Down syndrome. 'At GLOBAL, we work hard every day to elongate life and improve health outcomes for our loved ones with Down syndrome,' says GLOBAL Co-Founder, President, and CEO, Michelle Sie Whitten. 'Last night we brought together a room full of bipartisan support from Congress, NIH leadership, self-advocates, families and corporate leaders, all celebrating the impact of GLOBAL's work and a brighter future for people with Down syndrome. The joy and excitement at our event, and the tangible outcome of our work together, is truly rewarding!' 'People with Down syndrome are a beautiful reminder that we are all fearfully and wonderfully made in God's image,' says Congressman Robert Aderholt. 'I am honored to receive the Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Award from GLOBAL and to support their important mission to extend life and improve health outcomes for individuals with Down syndrome. Last night's AcceptAbility Gala was truly inspiring. It was a joy to be surrounded by so many incredible self-advocates, their families, dedicated professionals, and fellow Members of Congress. The evening underscored how vital continued investment in Down syndrome research is—not just for improving health—but for affirming the dignity and God-given worth of every life. It sends a powerful message to the world that individuals who are differently-abled have unique value and purpose.' 'It is an honor to be recognized by the Global Down Syndrome Foundation with the Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Award,' says Congresswoman Diane DeGette. 'Last night's AcceptAbility Gala was truly a celebration of people with Down syndrome and what biomedical research at the NIH is doing to improve their lives. I am proud to have reintroduced the bipartisan DeOndra Dixon INCLUDE Project Act earlier this week which will ensure NIH continues to pursue innovative and groundbreaking research that includes people with Down syndrome. It is amazing what GLOBAL and my dear friends John Sie and Michelle Sie Whitten have built at the Crnic Institute and the Sie Center for Down Syndrome in Colorado. Together, we are creating a brighter future for children and adults with Down syndrome.' Celebrities passionate about the cause included Multiplatinum Artist & Actor, Phillip Phillips; actor, author and public speaker Frank Stephens; author and public speaker David Egan; six-time Emmy® Award-winner Chuck Todd, and three-time Emmy® Award-winner Autria Godfrey who emceed the gala. The evening was dedicated to long-time GLOBAL supporter and Frank Stephens' mother, Cornelia 'Corny' Stephens. Corny passed away after a long and courageous fight with Alzheimer's disease. A video tribute also honored music icon Quincy Jones who passed away last November. Held at the Marriott Marquis in Washington, DC, the event was attended by GLOBAL awardee alums,Representative Richard Hudson (R-NC) who presented the Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Award to Representative Robert Aderholt, Senator John Hickenlooper (D-CO) who presented the award to Representative Diana DeGette, Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) who presented her scholarship award, and Pete Stauber (R-MN). Representatives DeGette and Hudson, and Senator Hickenlooper, thrilled the audience when they announced the House and Senate reintroduction of the game-changing bill, the DeOndra Dixon INCLUDE Project Act. The bill will ensure that the trans-NIH Down syndrome funding program called the INCLUDE Project will continue to exist and grow. The bill is a legacy for the memory of GLOBAL Ambassador DeOndra Dixon who is Academy and Grammy Award-winning Jamie Foxx's younger sister. Jamie Foxx is one of GLOBAL's international spokespeople. It is also a testament to the dedication of the now-retired Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA). To recognize the transformative leadership of two key Congressional Champions, the Rosa DeLauro GLOBAL Advancement Award with a post-secondary scholarship was provided to Leo Weeks from Herndon, Virginia and the Tom Cole GLOBAL Advancement Award was provided to Gabby Parillon from Lewes, Delaware. Representative Rosa DeLauro was on-hand to personally present the Advancement Award, leaving the audience inspired to do even more for people with Down syndrome and their families. With the help of GLOBAL Ambassador Tucker Emry and his family, Erin Book Mullen, co-chairs Natalie Farr Harrison and her husband Guy Harrison, and our amazing Sponsors, the inspirational gala attracted 400 attendees and raised $450,000 for GLOBAL's life-saving research and medical care. GLOBAL supports over 200 researchers on the Anschutz Medical Campus at the Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome and at the Alzheimer's and Cognition Center, as well as 2,500 patients from 33 states and 10 countries at the Sie Center for Down Syndrome. For nearly two decades, Down syndrome was one of the least federally funded genetic conditions in the United States. At the end of the evening, Phillip Phillips wowed the audience not only with his beautiful voice but by connecting with fans and bringing self-advocates with Down syndrome on stage while performing an intimate, heartfelt performance of some of his biggest hits including Gone, Gone, Gone and Home, and solo dancer Robert Wallop and inclusive dance team RhythmXpress delighted attendees with dance performances set to Papa's Got a Brand New Bag and a Hairspray medley. Additional notables in attendance included GLOBAL Chairman John J. Sie, GLOBAL Ambassadors Sophia Whitten, Charlotte (Charley) Fonfara-LaRose, and Abby Ashbrook; Directors from the NIH Drs. Jay Bhattacharya, Richard Hodes, Gary Gibbons, Alison Cernich, Walter Koroshetz, Michael Chiang, Monica Webb Hooper, Anna Mazzucco and Annica Wayman; Jim Hudson and Heather Sachs from the National Down Syndrome Congress, and executives from Black Down Syndrome Association, Down Syndrome Guild of Dallas, Virginia Down Syndrome Association, 321 Foundation, Down Syndrome Association of Jacksonville, and Down Syndrome Association of Delaware. To learn more about GLOBAL, visit ### About the Global Down Syndrome FoundationThe Global Down Syndrome Foundation (GLOBAL) is the largest non-profit in the U.S. working to save lives and dramatically improve health outcomes for people with Down syndrome. GLOBAL established the first Down syndrome research institute and supports over 400 scientists and over 2,700 patients with Down syndrome from 33 states and 10 countries. Working closely with Congress and the National Institutes of Health, GLOBAL is the lead advocacy organization in the U.S. for Down syndrome research and care. GLOBAL has a membership of over 110 Down syndrome organizations worldwide, and is part of a network of Affiliates – the Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, the Sie Center for Down Syndrome, the University of Colorado Alzheimer's and Cognition Center – all on the Anschutz Medical Campus, and the GLOBAL Adult Down Syndrome Clinic at Denver Health. GLOBAL's widely circulated medical publications include Global Medical Care Guidelines for Adults with Down Syndrome, Prenatal & Newborn Down Syndrome Information, and the award-winning magazine Down Syndrome World TM. GLOBAL also organizes the annual AcceptAbility Gala in Washington DC, andthe annual Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show, the largest Down syndrome fundraiser in the world. Visit and follow us on social media Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Attachments Global Down Syndrome Foundation - AcceptAbility Gala Global Down Syndrome Foundation - AcceptAbility Gala CONTACT: Anca Call Global Down Syndrome Foundation (720) 320-3832 pr@ Shawn Flaherty Creative Strategies PR (703) 554-3609 Shawn_Flaherty@ in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
CNA
25-04-2025
- General
- CNA
Throngs of mourners pay respects to Pope Francis in final hours of lying-in-state
VATICAN CITY: Some 250,000 mourners filed into St Peter's Basilica on Friday (Apr 25) to pay their respects to Pope Francis, viewing his open coffin in the final visiting hours ahead of his funeral on Saturday. Soon after 7.00pm, local time, the Vatican ended a TV broadcast of the visits that had been running nearly continuously, ahead of a private ceremony to seal his casket. As Italian and Vatican police prepared to close the long queue through the central nave of the church, the last visitors shuffled in. The 88-year-old pope, who had led the Church since 2013, died on Monday in his rooms at the Vatican's Santa Marta guesthouse after suffering a stroke as he was recuperating from weeks of pneumonia. About 250,000 people from all over the world have lined up to say farewell since his body was brought to St Peter's on Wednesday to lie in state, the Vatican said. Among the last visitors were French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte, who stood together at the side of the casket for a few moments. He bowed his head; she made the sign of the cross. Long queues snaked around St. Peter's Square and the surrounding roads all day on Friday. Some waited hours for the chance to spend a few minutes inside the basilica and pay their respects. "It's a very strong feeling (to be here)," said Patricio Castriota, a visitor from Argentina, the pope's homeland. "This farewell was very sad, but I thank God that I was able to see him". "He's the only pope we've had who came from South America, a pope who had many good intentions for the Catholic Church," said Castriota. "He cleaned up (a lot) of the bad, maybe not all of it, but he tried." Francis was the first pontiff from the Americas and was known for an unusually charming, and even humorous, demeanour. But his 12-year papacy was sometimes turbulent, with Francis seeking to overhaul a divided institution but battling with traditionalists who opposed his many changes. "He humanised the church, without desacralising it," said Cardinal Francois-Xavier Bustillo, who leads the Church on the French island of Corsica. A formal summary of Francis' papacy, written in Latin, was to be placed into his casket as it was sealed on Friday evening. It described him as a "beloved and simple pastor" who left "a marvellous testimony of humanity, of a holy life and of universal fatherhood." GLOBAL TRIBUTES The Catholic Church's first Latin American pope died on Monday aged 88, less than a month after his release from hospital where he spent weeks fighting severe pneumonia. "It was like saying goodbye to a father" who "loved me and will continue to love me as and more than before," said Filipa Castronovo, 76, an Italian nun. The pontiff, who had long suffered failing health, defied doctors' orders by making a public appearance on Easter Sunday, the most important moment in the Catholic calendar. It was his last public appearance. ROME PREPARES FOR FUNERAL A conclave to choose a new pontiff is unlikely to start before May 6. In the meantime, the world's Catholic cardinals have assumed temporary control of the 1.4-billion-member Roman Catholic Church. Cardinals present in Rome are convening almost daily, primarily to discuss logistical matters, in what is called a "general congregation". Of the world's 252 cardinals, 149 were present for the meeting on Friday morning, the Vatican said, with dozens more expected to arrive through the rest of the day. The private ceremony to seal Francis' coffin will be led by eight Catholic cardinals, including a US prelate who has faced criticism over his handling of sexual abuse cases. Among those also present will be the late pope's secretaries. The Vatican said on Friday it is expecting 160 foreign delegations to attend Saturday's funeral, among them dozens of world leaders including US President Donald Trump and 10 reigning monarchs. There had been speculation that foreign leaders might have diplomatic meetings on the sidelines of the funeral to discuss the war in Ukraine, but the Elysee Palace said on Friday that Macron would not host any such meetings. Trump was due to spend only about 15 hours in Rome, arriving late on Friday evening and leaving directly after the funeral. Authorities began ramping up security ahead of the ceremony, with snipers on rooftops, drones watching from the sky and an army device readied to neutralise hostile flying objects. The heart of Rome is expected to be closed to traffic on Saturday to allow a funeral motorcade carrying the pope's remains to make its way slowly to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore (St Mary Major), where Francis, in a break from tradition, asked to be buried instead of St Peter's Basilica. Crowds are expected along the route, which will pass by many of Rome's famed monuments, including the Colosseum. The pope's tomb will be in a niche in a side aisle of the basilica, with just the word "Franciscus", his name in Latin, engraved on the marble.
