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Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Pope Francis, groundbreaking Jesuit pontiff, dies aged 88
Pope Francis, the pontiff revered by millions of Catholics around the world whose popular appeal reached far beyond his global congregation, has died at the age of 88. Cardinal Kevin Ferrell, the Vatican camerlengo, said: 'At 7.35 this morning, the bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his church.″ The official declaration of the pope's death is expected on Monday evening, when his body will be placed in its coffin. The cause of death is also likely to be disclosed. Francis's body will be transferred to St Peter's basilica on Wednesday morning to allow members of the public to pay their respects. Cardinals will meet on Tuesday morning to decide the date of the pope's funeral, which must take place between four and six days after death. The funeral will be followed by nine days of official mourning. Francis, who had chronic lung disease and had part of one lung removed as a young man, was admitted to Gemelli hospital in Rome on 14 February for a respiratory crisis that developed into double pneumonia. He spent 38 days there, the longest hospitalisation of his 12-year papacy. He was discharged from hospital on 23 March and made his last public appearance on Sunday, when he spoke briefly to the crowds gathered in St Peter's Square for Easter mass. King Charles said he and the queen – who met the pope in Rome last week – had 'heavy hearts' at the news of his death, adding that Francis would be remembered for his compassion and tireless commitment. President Trump posted on social media: ''Rest in Peace Pope Francis! May God Bless him and all who loved him!' Former president Joe Biden said Francis would be 'remembered as one of the most consequential leaders of our time', and Barack Obama said he was a 'rare leader who made us want to be better people'. In Italy, Giorgia Meloni, the prime minister, said: 'I had the privilege of enjoying his friendship, his advice and his teachings, which never failed even in moments of trial and suffering.' Loved by many Catholics for his humility, Francis simplified rites for papal funerals last year and previously said he had already planned his tomb in the basilica Santa Maria Maggiore in the Esquilino neighbourhood in Rome, where he went to pray before and after trips overseas. Popes are usually buried with much fanfare in the grottoes beneath St Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. Amid intense mourning over the coming days and weeks, manoeuvring within the Vatican over who is to succeed Francis and become the 268th head of the Catholic church is certain to begin. Cardinals from around the world will head to Rome for a conclave, the secret, complex election ritual held in the Sistine Chapel and involving about 138 cardinals who are eligible to vote. The conclave must begin its deliberations within 20 days of the pope's death. Some of the potential contenders mooted before Francis's death were Matteo Zuppi, a progressive Italian cardinal, Pietro Parolin, who serves as the Vatican's secretary of state, and Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, from the Philippines. His death is likely to exacerbate sharp divisions within the curia, with conservatives seeking to wrest control of the church away from reformers. During his 12-year papacy, Francis – the first Jesuit pope – was a vocal champion of the world's poor, dispossessed and disadvantaged, and a blunt critic of corporate greed and social and economic inequality. Within the Vatican, he criticised extravagance and privilege, calling on church leaders to show humility. Related: The Guardian view on Pope Francis 10 years on: a vital progressive voice | Editorial His views riled significant numbers of cardinals and powerful Vatican officials, who often sought to frustrate Francis's efforts to overhaul the ancient institutions of the church. But his compassion and humanity endeared him to millions around the world Francis, who was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1936, was elected pope in March 2013. He immediately signalled his style of papacy by taking the bus, rather than papal car, to his hotel, where he paid his bill before moving into the Vatican guesthouse, eschewing the opulent papal apartments. At his first media appearance, he expressed his wish for a 'poor church and a church for the poor'. He focused papal attention on poverty and inequality, calling unfettered capitalism the 'dung of the devil'. Two years into his papacy, he issued an 180-page encyclical on the environment, demanding the world's richest nations pay their 'grave social debt' to the poor. The climate crisis represented 'one of the principal challenges facing humanity in our day', the pope said. Related: Pope Francis reveals he wrote resignation letter in 2013 in case of ill-health He called for compassion for and generosity towards refugees, saying they should not be treated as 'pawns on the chessboard of humanity'. After visiting the Greek island of Lesbos, he offered 12 Syrians refuge at the Vatican. Prisoners and the victims of modern-day slavery and human trafficking were also highlighted in his frequent appeals for mercy and social action. During his recent period in hospital, he kept up his telephone calls to the Holy Family church in Gaza, a nightly routine since 9 October 2023. One of the biggest issues with which Francis had to contend was that of clerical sexual abuse and the church's cover-up of crimes committed by priests and bishops. In the first few years of his papacy, as wave after wave of scandals engulfed the church, Francis was accused by survivors and others of failing to understand the scale of the crisis and the urgent need to proactively root out abuse and its cover-up. In 2019, Francis summoned bishops from around the world to Rome to discuss the crisis and later issued an edict requiring priests and nuns to report sexual abuse and its cover-up to the church authorities, and guaranteeing protection for whistleblowers. It was a significant move towards the church taking responsibility for the scandals, and went much further than his predecessors. Also during his tenure as the head of the Catholic church, Francis was obliged to respond to repeated acts of terrorism and persecution. He was at pains to stress that violence had no part to play in true practice of religion, and that people should not conflate acts of terrorism with Islam. 'I think it is not right to identity Islam with violence,' he said after the murder of a Catholic priest in France in 2016. 'I think that in nearly all religions there is always a small fundamentalist group,' he said, adding: 'We [Catholics] have them.' Francis spoke with compassion on issues of sexuality (famously responding 'who am I to judge?' to a question about gay priests), the family and the role of women in society – while adhering to traditional Catholic doctrine on marriage, contraception and abortion. Although many on the left strove to claim Francis as one of their own, he could not easily be defined as liberal or conservative. On his many trips abroad, Francis was greeted like a rock star, with hundreds of thousands – sometimes millions – waiting for hours for a glimpse of the diminutive, white-robed figure in his open-sided popemobile. His appeal was particularly strong among young people, whom he frequently urged to reject materialism and overdependence on technology. 'Happiness … is not an app that you can download on your phones,' Francis told Catholic youth in April 2016. The deliberations and final choice of the Catholic church's cardinal electors in the coming days and weeks will determine whether Francis's efforts to reform its institutions and to shift its emphasis towards the poor will be a durable legacy.
Daily Mirror
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
Conclave LIVE: Secret election for new Pope begins today - see how it will work
An ancient tradition to select the Roman Catholic Church's new Pope will begin today, in a process shrouded in secrecy and ceremony. Cardinal Kevin Ferrell, the Vatican camerlengo, announced the sad news the Pope passed away at around 7.30am on April 21. The 88-year-old suffered health issues for several months after being admitted to the Gemelli hospital in Rome for treatment for bronchitis on February 14 which developed into double pneumonia. His death came just hours after the Pope blessed Easter crowds on Sunday from the Popemobile. And now the secretive process for selecting a leader for the one billion followers of the religion begins. Following a special mass in St Peter's Basilica, a group of cardinals will go into the Sistine Chapel where they will have no contact with the outside world until white smoke rises into the air in Vatican City to confirm there is a new pope. The term conclave itself is Latin for "locked room" and only cardinals aged under 80 get a chance to vote. The world currently has 252 cardinals, of which 138 fit the age requirement. It's not clear how the 120 are chosen, again another secret only known by those inside the conclave. Up to four votes will be had each day apart from the first, as proceedings will not get under way until the afternoon. A two-thirds majority is required for someone to be elected. The anonymous ballots are burned after voting, with black smoke from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel indicating no-one has been elected but white smoke confirming a new pope has been chosen. 17:35Sophie Bateman Eerie photos show Vatican in preparation Photos inside the Vatican reveal how the holy spaces are prepared for the selection of the next Pope. Tables and chairs line the Sistine Chapel, which has been closed off to the public for the duration of the conclave, as 133 cardinals are set to gather for a top-secret discussion that will only end when they have chosen the successor to Pope Francis. The chapel, which is decorated with frescoes by Renaissance painters including Michelangelo and Botticelli, has been swept for hidden cameras and recording equipment to ensure the conclave remains shrouded in secrecy. Even the windows have been coerced to prevent drones from looking inside. Images also show the "Room of Tears", a small room next to the Sistine Chapel, with the vestments of the next Pope displayed in three different sizes.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Death of Pope Francis; Milwaukee Catholics mourn, remember
The Brief Catholics in Milwaukee are fondly remembering Pope Francis. Pope Francis died on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025. The Vatican confirmed his death early Monday. MILWAUKEE - Pope Francis, the 266th Bishop of Rome and Sovereign of the Vatican City, died on Easter Monday at 88. What we know The Vatican confirmed his death early Monday in an announcement read out by Cardinal Kevin Ferrell, the Vatican camerlengo, from the chapel of the Domus Santa Marta, where Francis lived. Catholics across the world continue to mourn, including those in Milwaukee. FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android At the Church of the Gesu near Marquette University's campus, a daily mass became a time to remember. A portrait of Pope Francis sits on the altar following news of his death. "I think most of us have the opinion that he was a very great gift to the church," Father Bisbee said. "Let us take a moment and pray for our Holy Father." Parishioners at the mass reflected on a man who led the church for the last 12 years. What they're saying "He was different from past popes because he really considered the poor in his mission," Milwaukee resident Anthony Mayer said. "I think he brought hope. I think he brought hope for the Catholic Church, I think, brought hope for the world." SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News Pope Francis made history in 2013, becoming the first Latin American pontiff in more than a thousand years. He was known in his life for his dedication to the poor, and did not shy away from immigration, the environment or LGBTQ+ issues. Catholics are remembering him for his compassion and progressive stances. "He was very open and loving to all groups of people," Marquette student Eva Paschke said. "He was a light in my life." The Source The information in this post was collected and produced by FOX6 News.
Euronews
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
Pope's body to be moved to St Peter's Basilica on Wednesday, countries declare days of mourning
ADVERTISEMENT Pope Francis died on Monday morning at the age of 88, The Vatican 'Camerlengo' Cardinal Kevin Ferrell, announced this morning. World leaders including Ursula von der Leyen, Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin have paid tribute to the former pontiff. Countries have declared periods of mourning for the Argentinian pontiff, as the Vatican prepares for a conclave, the ancient method through which the Church cardinals will select Francis' successor. The Vatican has announced that the pope's body will be moved to St Peter's basilica on Wednesday.
The Sun
21-04-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Pope's cause of death confirmed as it's revealed pontiff, 88, did not die from respiratory issues after pneumonia battle
POPE Francis died from a cerebral stroke and subsequent irreversible heart failure, the Vatican has revealed. The pontiff had been hospitalised for weeks at the Gemelli hospital in Rome earlier this year after suffering a bout of bronchitis and double pneumonia. 17 17 17 17 He was discharged on March 23 after the 38-day stay and was able to bless crowds of worshippers on Easter Sunday. But just hours later, Vatican officials announced the leader of the Catholic Church had passed away. The cerebral stroke led to a coma and irreversible heart failure, a death certificate released by the Vatican said. Announcing the pontiff's death this morning, Cardinal Kevin Ferrell, the Vatican camerlengo, said in a statement: "At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father. "His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his Church." Pope Francis' death has plunged 1.4billion Catholics across the globe into mourning. It comes just hours after he met with US Vice President JD Vance to exchange Easter greetings at Casa Santa Marta in Vatican City. The Pope also appeared in front of thousands of people in St. Peter's Square. The crowd shouted and cheered as a frail-looking Francis looped through the square in his open-topped popemobile and then up and down the main avenue leading to it. He stopped occasionally to bless babies brought up to him, just weeks after fighting for his life. "Brothers and sisters, Happy Easter!" Francis said. Francis didn't celebrate the Easter Mass in the piazza, delegating it to Cardinal Angelo Comastri - the retired archpriest of St. Peter's Basilica. But after the Mass ended, Francis appeared on the loggia balcony over the basilica entrance for more than 20 minutes and imparted the apostolic blessing in Latin. The crowd of people below, estimated by the Vatican to be more than 35,000, erupted in cheers as a military band kicked off rounds of the Holy See anthem. The pontiff was admitted to the hospital in February after suffering a severe bout of bronchitis. His condition appeared to worsen as doctors had to change treatment for the Pope's respiratory tract infection due to a "complex clinical situation". And it was then confirmed he was suffering from double pneumonia after undergoing an X-ray. The 88-year-old underwent blood transfusions and was described as being in a "critical" condition. The Vatican said at the time that "the prognosis is reserved". Two people close to the pontiff claimed Francis told them he "might not make it this time" while he was diagnosed with severe lung disease, according to a report by Politico. TRIBUTES POUR IN Emotional tributes are pouring in for the pontiff from across the world. President Donald Trump wrote on The Truth Social: "Rest in Peace, Pope Francis! May God bless him and all who loved him!" King Charles said he was "deeply saddened" to hear of the death of Pope Francis. The king said in his message: "My wife and I were most deeply saddened to learn of the death of Pope Francis. "Our heavy hearts have been somewhat eased, however, to know that His Holiness was able to share an Easter Greeting with the Church and the world he served with such devotion throughout his life and ministry. "His Holiness will be remembered for his compassion, his concern for the unity of the Church and for his tireless commitment to the common causes of all people of faith, and to those of goodwill who work for the benefit of others. "His belief that care for Creation is an existential expression of faith in God resounded with so many across the world." Sir Keir Starmer also paid tribute to the pontiff, saying: "Deeply saddened to hear the death of His Holiness Pope Francis. 17 17 17 "His tireless efforts to promote a world that is fairer for all will leave a lasting legacy. "On behalf of the people of the United Kingdom, I share my sincerest condolences to the whole Catholic Church." The Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, paid tribute to Pope Francis, saying: 'A voice proclaiming the innate dignity of every human being, especially those who are poor or marginalised, is now silent.' Vance, who is now visiting India after meeting the pope yesterday, said: "I just learned about the passing of Pope Francis. "My heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him." Vance's office said the vice president expressed his gratitude to Pope Francis for inviting him to meet on Easter Sunday and for the hospitality the Vatican has extended to his family. 17 17 17 "I pray for you every day," Vance said as he bid Francis farewell. "God bless you." French President Emmanuel Macron said that throughout his pontificate, Pope Francis had always sided with the most vulnerable and the most fragile, and that he did this with a lot of humility. "In this time of war and brutality, he had a sense for the other, for the most fragile," Macron told reporters. Dutch PM Dick Schoof said: "Pope Francis was in every way a man of the people, the clobal catholic community bids farewell to a leader who recognised the burning issues of our day and called attention to them." Meanwhile, tyrant Vladimir Putin said: "I had the privilege of communicating with this outstanding man on many occasions, and I will forever retain the fondest memory of him." HEALTH BATTLES Francis, who has led the Catholic Church since 2013, has a history of lung problems, having had part of one lung removed due to pleurisy as a young man. He has been hospitalised three times since becoming Pope in 2013. In 2023, he spent three days at the Gemelli hospital, which has a special suite for treating popes, for an acute case of pneumonia. The pontiff was rushed to the hospital on 29 March 2023, after he felt a sharp pain in his chest and experienced breathing difficulties. He also spent nine days in the hospital, just a few months later, for abdominal surgery. This saw doctors remove scar tissue and repair an abdominal hernia. The Pope also had a piece of his large intestine removed in 2021 and spent 10 days in the Gemelli hospital. 'REFORMER' POPE Pope Francis made history when he became the first leader of the Catholic Church from the Americas. The 76-year-old Archbishop of Buenos Aires, who was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, was given his new name after he was elected to succeed Pope Benedict XVI on 13 March, 2013. He was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on 17 December, 1936, to Italian immigrants. The Argentine had worked as a bouncer before turning to the priesthood after recovering from pneumonia back in 1958. Francis was ordained a priest on 13 December 1969 and trained in Spain for a year before moving back to Argentina. Francis took over the role of Pope in 2014, and was seen as an outspoken moderniser, reformist and progressive. He had championed the decriminalisation of homosexuality, warned against threats to democracy, and supported the cause of refugees. When he became the Pope, he shunned a grand papal apartment and chose to live in a modest two-room residence. 17 GAME OF THRONES Following the death of Pope Francis on the morning of Easter Monday, attention has now turned to the question of his successor. His successor will be selected by a Conclave in an ancient and secret process that has remained unchanged for hundreds of years. The role of head of the Catholic Church is taken on by an elected senior cardinal, usually until their death, which is announced via ancient smoke signals. First, the death of the Pope has to be confirmed by a medic, their passing is only made official by the camerlengo, the Pope's Chief of Staff. They call out the Pope's birth name three times and usually tap the Pontiff's head with a silver hammer. If these calls and actions go unanswered, the death is declared, and senior church officials, notably the Cardinal Vicar of the Diocese of Rome, are informed. The public will hear of the Pontiff's death by seeing black smoke known as fumata nera emerge from a chimney in the Sistine Chapel. The Pope's ring, the Ring of the Fisherman, is also burned after being removed and crushed by the camerlengo, who will have also locked the pontiff's apartment, desk, and cut off his telephone wires. The decision of the sacred Conclave will later be revealed through the smoke of the chimney. But first, there is a period of mourning during which the Papal Vacancy is announced by the Vatican, known as the Sede Vacante or "the seat is vacant". 17 17 17 17
