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Irish Daily Mirror
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Daily Mirror
Irish archbishop calls for prayer as Conclave meets to select new Pope
Archbishop of Armagh Eamon Martin has called Ireland's faithful to prayer ahead of the Conclave's first meeting to select a new Pope tomorrow. A delegation of 133 cardinal-electors are due to descend on the Vatican's Sistine Chapel, as speculation mounts over who could succeed the late Pope Francis as leader of the Catholic Church. Francis, who spent his final months suffering from pneumonia and existing lung conditions, died of a stroke on Easter Monday at the age of 88. Pope Francis' funeral was attended by many high-profile world leaders (Photo by) In a statement from the Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference, Archbishop Martin asked Irish Catholics to pray to the Holy Ghost as cardinals begin the long process of prayer and discernment to decide a successor, which can often last for extended periods of time. "I ask you, as the conclave begins tomorrow, to join me in prayer," said Martin, who has served as Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland since 2014. "O God, eternal shepherd, who govern your flock with unfailing care, grant in your boundless fatherly love a pastor for your Church who will please you by his holiness and to us show watchful care." The conclave meets - who could be the next pope? Pietro Parolin could be the next pope (Image: Wednesday's meeting of the conclave will be the first since 2013, when then-Pope Benedict XVI unexpectedly resigned in light of advancing age. Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, was elected on the fifth ballot, ascending to the papacy as the first pontiff from Latin America, as well as the first from the Jesuit Order. His potential successors include Vatican secretary of State Pietro Parolin, who also served as Francis' chief advisor throughout his reign. His conservative views clashed with Francis' more liberal approach at times - Parolin made headlines in 2015, decrying the vote to allow same-sex marriage in Ireland as "a defeat for humanity." Other frontrunners for the papacy include Maltese cardinal Mario Grech, who like Francis softened his stance on social issues over time. Meanwhile, Congolese cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu - who has pledged to work more closely with Islamic and Protestant leaders - could become the Church's first African leader for nearly 1,500 years. The process of selecting a new pope is notoriously secretive - each cardinal, as well as the Vatican's medical and dining staff - are sworn to absolute secrecy, and the chapel is swept for listening and recording devices. Those entering the conclave must hand over all electronics to Vatican police - anyone who fails to comply risks excommunication from the Church. White smoke from the chapel's chimney indicates a new Pope has been chosen (Image: AFP/Getty Images) Once a new pope is selected, all ballots cast are burnt at the end of voting, along with a chemical compound to turn the thick smoke a white colour. Bells are rung, before the new pope emerges overlooking St. Peter's Square to give his first blessing. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
New Straits Times
26-04-2025
- General
- New Straits Times
Pope Francis was a reformist, environmentalist and peace advocate
BY the time you read this, Jorge Bergoglio, the first pope to choose the name Francis, would have been buried. Coming from the Society of Jesus, commonly called the Jesuit Order, one would have thought the name was chosen in honour of St Francis Xavier, one of its founding members (and, coincidentally, a saint who had visited the Malay peninsula centuries ago). However, the name was chosen in honour of St Francis of Assisi. According to some reports, Pope Francis — the first Latin American pope, from Argentina — was a "divisive" figure during his 12 years as the leader of the Roman Catholic Church. But, was he really divisive? Not any more than any other person, especially one in a position of leadership. Francis set about renewing the church, making some changes to the way things were done. In doing so, he earned himself some critics. Conservatives branded him too liberal. On the other hand, Francis' changes were deemed not good enough by the liberals, who demanded more. They branded him too conservative. Either way, the pope "lost". No matter what he did. After all, one cannot please everyone. Pope Francis, however, did not take things to heart. He did things his way and continued to do so, encouraged by the love and support of the vast majority of the church. He led by example. At a penitential service organised to encourage Catholics to return to Confession or Reconciliation — a vital sacrament in the Catholic Church — Francis was being escorted to his seat when he broke away, went to another priest, and made his Confession. And, like his namesake, he was a simple and humble man. Francis the saint was a man of peace, a man of poverty, a man who loved and protected creation. So was Francis the pope. He eschewed the Apostolic Palace, choosing instead to live in the Vatican guesthouse. He often rode to papal events in an old little Fiat that belonged to him instead of the big luxury vehicle owned by the Vatican. This was a man who not only was the first Latin American pope, but the first from the Americas and the first Jesuit to rise to the highest position in the Catholic Church. Yet, he lived as simply as he could. Like the saint he revered, he also had a love of all God's creations, many times advocating for the environment particularly. He dedicated his second encyclical letter, titled "Laudato si" (Latin for "Praised be"), to the climate crisis the world is going through. Above all, this was a man who loved peace, just as Francis of Assisi did in the 13th century. The pope prayed and hoped for it and always made this known to the world and its leaders. Francis died on the Monday immediately following Easter, the most important day in the Catholic calendar. He was still recovering from a bout of pneumonia that had nearly killed him. Despite this, the pope made an appearance at St Peter's Square and granted a private audience to United States Vice-President J.D. Vance. He was too weak, however, to celebrate mass, entrusting someone else to deliver his sermon. Parts of his sermon focused — yet again — on peace, from Gaza (of which he was a great advocate) to Ukraine and other parts of the world that are seeing conflict. Pope Francis' last will, perhaps, was a testament that speaks to the humility of the man. His will speaks only about the arrangements for his burial. Instead of being buried beneath St Peter's Basilica in three different coffins, one placed in another, Francis will be placed in a single coffin made of wood and lined in zinc. His remains will then be buried in the Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica outside the walls of the Vatican. This is because Francis was devoted to Mary, the mother of Jesus, and often prayed at the basilica before and after his overseas trips. His grave will be simply marked with his name — Franciscus. There will be no indication that this was a pope, the leader of 1.4 billion people. The Catholic Church has lost a humble and pious leader. The world has lost a remarkable leader. The writer is NST news editor. Keywords: News Argentina Nst Pope Francis Analysis Opinion Catholic Church Roman Catholic Church Malaysia News Society Of Jesus Related Articles
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
See All of the Most Striking Photos of the Funeral of Pope Francis
Today, mourners from around the globe have gathered in Vatican City for the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square. The 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church, Argentinian-born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, took on the name Francis in honor of St. Francis of Assisi after was elected as leader of the faith in 2013. His election was a historic choice; he was the first pope from the Americas, the first from the Southern Hemisphere, the first from the Jesuit Order, and the first born outside Europe since Pope Gregory III, who held the position from 731 to 741 AD. Francis passed away at the age of 88 on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025. Ahead of the funeral, Francis lay in state in St. Peter's Basilica, where popes are traditionally buried. However, in a break from tradition, Francis will be laid to rest at Santa Maria Maggiore (St. Mary Major) basilica in Rome following the funeral services today. Similarly, the services themselves were recently simplified by the late pontiff, in line with what he felt was "the need to simplify and adapt certain rites so that the celebration of the funeral of the bishop of Rome may better express the faith of the Church in the risen Christ,' according to the Vatican's master of liturgical ceremonies, Archbishop Diego Ravelli. Among the numerous people paying tribute to the late pontiff will be members of royal families across Europe, including Prince William, who will represent his father, King Charles, King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain, Belgium's King Philippe and Queen Mathilde, and Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco. Likewise, world leaders including President Donald Trump and his wife Melania, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his wife Olena, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, and many more are also expected. Here, a look at some of the most poignant photos from the day's services. Members of the clergy gathered to pay respects. Italian cardinal Giovanni Battista Re anoints the coffin of Pope Francis with incense. Laid atop it is a book of gospels. Prince William was in attendance as a representative of his father, King Charles. President Donald Trump and his wife Melania attended the event. Seated next to them were President Alar Karis of Estonia and Spain's King Felipe VI. St. Peter's Square was filled for the funeral. The cardinals gathered in homage to the late pontiff. King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain arrive at the ceremony. France's President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte paid their respects. Princess Charlene and Prince Albert of Monaco were among the mourners. Former President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden attended. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer was also a guest. You Might Also Like 12 Weekend Getaway Spas For Every Type of Occasion 13 Beauty Tools to Up Your At-Home Facial Game
Sydney Morning Herald
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
Four lines from the Pope's funeral service will make history
When world leaders gather for the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday, they will find out how to do diplomacy the papal way – giving a nod to different countries by way of prayers. And amid all the languages used to remember the late pontiff, there will be one never before heard at a papal funeral: Chinese. The order of service, which has been released by the Vatican, is 87 pages long, which indicates the Mass could last two hours or more. Four lines from the Prayer of the Faithful will make history. 'For us gathered here, that having celebrated the sacred mysteries, we may one day be called by Christ to enter his glorious kingdom.' These words, which will be read aloud in Mandarin just after the homily, reflect the late Pope's ambitions regarding China, which were contentious among Catholics. Loading While US President Donald Trump, who will attend the funeral in St Peter's Square, continues his battle with China over tariffs, the Vatican is smoothing its relationship with Beijing. As a member of the Jesuit Order, Francis seemed driven to follow in the footsteps of its missionaries to pre-Communist China, and wanted to improve relations with Beijing. But he drew sharp criticism from those who argued his overtures did nothing to help Catholics and other Christians practise their faith in the communist state.
The Age
25-04-2025
- Politics
- The Age
Four lines from the Pope's funeral service will make history
When world leaders gather for the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday, they will find out how to do diplomacy the papal way – giving a nod to different countries by way of prayers. And amid all the languages used to remember the late pontiff, there will be one never before heard at a papal funeral: Chinese. The order of service, which has been released by the Vatican, is 87 pages long, which indicates the Mass could last two hours or more. Four lines from the Prayer of the Faithful will make history. 'For us gathered here, that having celebrated the sacred mysteries, we may one day be called by Christ to enter his glorious kingdom.' These words, which will be read aloud in Mandarin just after the homily, reflect the late Pope's ambitions regarding China, which were contentious among Catholics. Loading While US President Donald Trump, who will attend the funeral in St Peter's Square, continues his battle with China over tariffs, the Vatican is smoothing its relationship with Beijing. As a member of the Jesuit Order, Francis seemed driven to follow in the footsteps of its missionaries to pre-Communist China, and wanted to improve relations with Beijing. But he drew sharp criticism from those who argued his overtures did nothing to help Catholics and other Christians practise their faith in the communist state.
