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Newsweek
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Exclusive: Bishop Strickland Reveals Worry Over Growing Divide Between US and Vatican
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Joseph Strickland, the former bishop of the Diocese of Tyler, Texas, told Newsweek that he was deeply concerned over who would be chosen to succeed Pope Francis as leader of the Roman Catholic Church and the growing divide between the U.S. and the Vatican. "I am concerned, yes—but not primarily about diplomatic ties or political alliances," he said. "What worries me is the deeper moral and spiritual divide between the prevailing culture in the United States and the truths the Church is called to proclaim." Why It Matters Francis, whose real name was Jorge Mario Bergoglio, died on April 21, marking the end of a 12-year papacy that saw the late pontiff trying to adjust the Roman Catholic Church to a changing, modern world. The conclave, a closed-door gathering of all cardinals under the age of 80 who choose the next pontiff from among themselves, could decide whether the church will continue in the footsteps of the relatively progressive Francis or choose a more conservative, traditionalist leader—as Strickland hopes. What To Know Francis, who died at the age of 88 and was buried on Saturday in the St. Mary Major Basilica in Rome, was considered by many a liberal and progressive leader of the church. During his papacy, Francis argued to combat climate change and advocated for social justice while trying to open the church to LGBTQ+ communities. For these efforts, he was often criticized by conservative forces within the church, including Strickland, who in a letter sent from Mar-a-Lago in March accused Francis of failing to "refuse" the "siren call of sodomy." At that time, Strickland had already been removed from his post at the Tyler Diocese under Francis' order after an investigation into his handling of the church in 2023 found his continuation in office "was not feasible." Strickland, who became an even more vocal critic of the pope after that, said he was removed "because forces in the church right now don't want the truth of the Gospel." Cardinals removing their mitres during the third Novendiales mass held for the late Pope Francis in St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City on April 28. Cardinals removing their mitres during the third Novendiales mass held for the late Pope Francis in St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City on April is now concerned that the conclave, which is gathering on May 7, will continue Francis' legacy. "My concern is that the conclave could seek to extend the direction taken during Pope Francis' pontificate, with less emphasis on doctrinal clarity and liturgical tradition," he said. "Since many of the electors were appointed by him, there's a real possibility the outcome could reflect personal or political alignments rather than a true openness to the Holy Ghost," he continued. "Still, my trust is in Christ, who never abandons His Church. I pray the next pope will be a man of deep faith, courage, and fidelity to our sacred Tradition." 'A Man of Deep Personal Holiness in a Time of Confusion' Strickland did not have a specific name in mind for whom he would like to be elected as the next pope, but he had an idea of the qualities needed for the role. "He must be a man of deep personal holiness, with a profound love for Jesus Christ and His Church. He should be courageous, willing to defend the Faith without compromise, especially in a time of confusion," he said. "He must also be rooted in Tradition, with a reverence for the sacred liturgy, and a clear teacher who proclaims the truth in charity but without ambiguity," Strickland continued. "The Church needs a shepherd who unites, not by erasing differences, but by calling all souls back to the heart of Christ through fidelity, clarity, and sacrificial love." The Future of U.S.-Vatican Relations Francis was known to be critical of President Donald Trump, whose aggressive stance against migration he had already condemned as "not Christian" in 2016. Despite the public clashes between the two men, Trump attended Francis' funeral on Saturday "out of respect," praising the late pontiff as a "good man" who "loved the world." Should the next pope be chosen in the mold of Francis, it is likely there will be new clashes between the leader of the Roman Catholic Church and the Trump administration. Strickland said he was deeply concerned over the future of the relations between the U.S. and the Vatican, which he saw as walking in different directions. "When the Vatican appears to accommodate secular ideologies rather than confront them with the Gospel, it creates confusion among the faithful," he said. "The next pope must have the courage to speak truth to power—not just to governments, but to a world that is losing its sense of God." According to Strickland, the biggest problems within the church at the moment are a "loss of faith" and what he called "the widespread erosion of belief" in the authority of the sacred scriptures and tradition. "This has led to confusion among the faithful, division within the hierarchy, and a Church that often seems to mirror the world rather than challenge it," Strickland said. "The next pope must address this crisis by restoring clarity, reverence, and a firm proclamation of the truths of the Catholic Faith. Without truth, charity loses its power—and without faith, the Church cannot fulfill her mission," he added. What Happens Next The conclave is expected to comprise 135 cardinals under the age of 80. They are scheduled to gather inside the Sistine Chapel on May 7, remaining there until a two-thirds majority backs the same candidate to become the next pope. While there is much speculation about the front-runners to succeed Francis, the process of choosing a new pope is largely unpredictable. As Strickland said, a majority of those in the conclave were appointed by Francis. However, that does not mean they will vote in line with the late pontiff. As for Strickland, he did not hope that a more conservative pope would reinstate him in his role as the bishop of the Tyler Diocese. "My hope is not to regain any particular role or office, but to remain faithful to the mission God has given me," he said. "I loved the people of the Diocese of Tyler dearly, and serving them as their bishop was one of the greatest privileges of my life. But I also recognize that the Lord often calls us beyond what is familiar, and I believe He is now asking me to serve the wider Church in a different way," he added. Strickland continued: "My vocation has not changed—only the scope of it. I trust in God's providence and remain at the service of the Church, wherever that may lead."
Time of India
26-04-2025
- General
- Time of India
What is the three-coffin burial of Popes? Will Pope Francis' funeral follow this ‘unique' tradition?
A Pope's funeral is one of the most elaborate services in the whole world. As much as it witnesses outpouring tributes from all over the world, it also includes unique traditions that reflect centuries of history, heritage, and symbolism. One of those unique traditions involves using three coffins for the Pope's burial to honor their legacy. What is the three-coffin burial tradition? by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Google Brain Co-Founder Andrew Ng, Recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo When a Pope dies, the Catholic Church enters a period called sede vacante, which means "the seat is vacant." This time marks the transition between Popes and includes specific steps for the Pope's funeral, guided by the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis. According to the Catholic News Agency, the 2024 edition of the official liturgical book states that after a Pope's death, his body is examined and preserved for public viewing with great care and respect. The Pope's body is dressed in a white cassock, symbolizing purity, and moved to the private papal chapel. The camerlengo, who is the chief cardinal, oversees a ceremony to confirm the Pope's death and place him in a coffin. The body is then dressed in red vestments, representing Christ's passion and blood, along with a mitre and pallium. It is placed in a zinc-lined coffin for visitation and prayer at the Vatican. The body usually lies in state for three days. After that, there is a nine-day period of mourning known as Novendiales. Historically, the burial of a Pope consisted of three nested coffins, each designed with specific materials, purposes, and meanings, as reported by Vatican News. The innermost coffin, made of cypress and representing humility, contains the Pope's body along with personal belongings. The middle coffin, constructed from lead, serves to preserve the body and secure vital documents. The outer coffin, built from elm or oak, provides durability, symbolizes strength, and pays tribute to the Pope's dignity. As per the book, The Deaths of the Popes, papal historian Wendy J. Reardon mentioned that the tradition of using three coffins for a Pope's burial dated back to the 14th century, and continued through Pope Benedict XVI's funeral in 2023. Will Pope Francis be buried in three coffins? Despite it being a historic tradition, Pope Francis' funeral won't be following the three-coffin burial tradition. In 2022, Pope Francis announced his wish to forego many of the traditional and elaborate funeral customs observed for previous Popes, and the Vatican revealed the changes in a new formal rite, which was published in November last year. In 2024, Pope Francis simplified funeral rites in the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis, opting for a single zinc-lined wood coffin. The 88-year-old pontiff will be buried in a single, zinc-lined wooden coffin, abandoning the centuries-old tradition of interlocking caskets made of cypress, lead, and oak. As Reuters reported, the decision reflected Francis' commitment to simplicity and his broader efforts to modernise church traditions. Pope Francis' burial: While most Popes are buried underneath St Peter's Basilica, Pope Francis decided in 2022 that he should be buried away from the Vatican, in the Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica in Rome. The Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, dedicated to Mary, the Mother of God, holds deep personal significance for Pope Francis. It is where he had traditionally prayed before and after his international journeys, as per reports. Pope Francis' wish to be buried in Santa Maria Maggiore makes him the first Pope in over a century to be buried outside the Vatican. Pope's Funeral Date, Time Confirmed: Final Rites Begin In Vatican | WATCH
CNN
22-04-2025
- Politics
- CNN
Live updates: Pope Francis death and Vatican news
Update: Date: Title: Cardinals are meeting to set Pope Francis' funeral date. Here's what happens next Content: Cardinals are currently meeting in the Vatican's Paul XI Synod Hall to decide the date and details for Pope Francis' funeral, according to the Vatican. All those in the global College of Cardinals can come to Rome and attend the daily General Congregation meetings, according to the Apostolic Constitution, the 'Universi Dominici Gregis.' As part of the millennia-old process for picking a new pope, eligible cardinals — senior church officials appointed by the pope — from around the world must gather for the conclave in which Francis' successor is selected. There are currently 136 eligible cardinals but only 120 can participate. But the larger group of cardinals must first decide when the funeral can take place, and after that, when the conclave can begin. The official mourning period includes nine days known as the Novendiales, and the pope must be buried between the fourth and sixth day after death. The period between the death of one pope and the election of another is called the 'Papal Interregnum.' Francis's body is expected to be moved to St. Peter's Basilica on Wednesday to lie in state and allow the public to pay respects, according to the Vatican. Then, at the end of the period of mourning, a large funeral Mass will take place at St. Peter's. Update: Date: Title: Pope Francis lies in casket in Vatican City Content: The Vatican has released the first images of Pope Francis lying in a wooden casket in the Casa Santa Marta residence at the Vatican. The images and video shot on Monday show a private ceremony held following Francis' death. Update: Date: Title: Moving scenes during mass at Pope Francis' childhood church Content: Large crowds gathered at Pope Francis' childhood church in Argentina for a special mass on Tuesday. Footage from the Reuters news agency showed congregants holding hands with each other or clutching photos of the pope as they sang hymns at the San Jose de Flores Basilica in the capital Buenos Aires. Some were emotional and could be seen wiping away tears as the city's archbishop led the service. Francis 'didn't hide the need for transparency in the church, the need for reforms in the church that were longed for,' said Buenos Aires Archbishop Jorge Garcia Cuerva. 'Maybe for this reason he was so criticized, because he didn't silence the problems but put them on the table. He didn't hide them or make them up but proposed humanity take charge of them.' The San Jose de Flores Basilica is in a neighborhood where Francis – then known as Jorge Mario Bergoglio – grew up. It's the church where he had the revelation that led him to become a priest and where he celebrated Mass during Holy Week, the Buenos Aires government said, according to Reuters. Update: Date: Title: Filipinos mourn Pope Francis and hail legacy of acceptance and humility Content: Worshippers in the Philippines, Asia's largest Catholic nation, are paying tribute to the late Pope Francis, who was vastly popular across the archipelago. More than 2,000 people attended a requiem mass for Francis on Tuesday at the Manila Cathedral in the old Spanish quarter of the Philippine capital. Leonora Armamento, 59, wept at the pews and said Francis' death was 'like losing a father.' She thanked Francis for loving and accepting sinners into the church, despite criticism from conservatives of his liberal views. 'Thank you for embracing us all – regardless of any color, of any gender, wherever we may came from, believers or non-believers, he showed us that there is one God that loves us all,' she told CNN. Cardinal Jose Fuerte Advincula, the archbishop of Manila who presided over the service, said Francis' visit to the Philippines in 2015 was a 'moment of grace forever etched in our national memory.' During that trip, Francis stood in the rain with survivors of 2013's deadly Typhoon Haiyan and 'showed us what it means to suffer with others and find hope,' Advincula said in his homily. At a record-breaking outdoor mass attended by nearly 7 million people in Manila 10 years ago, Francis 'celebrated the Holy Eucharist with millions, he embraced our joy, our faith and our longing for a church that walks with its people,' Advincula added. About 80% of the Philippines' 110 million population identify as Roman Catholic, a legacy of more than 300 years of Spanish colonization in the archipelago until the end of the 19th century. Update: Date: Title: Pope Francis pushed for change while also wanting to uphold doctrine, Catholic theologian says Content: Pope Francis' more than decade-long leadership at the helm of the Catholic Church has been marked by a careful balance between upholding doctrine and driving change, a theologian told CNN. While the Argentinian pontiff was known for his reformist views on multiple issues, he had told believers in the past that he was 'a son of the church,' Dawn Eden Goldstein said. 'So he kind of held those two things in tension, where on the one hand, he was open to a great deal of change, and on the other hand, he wanted to be careful to preserve doctrine,' she said. 'The key to understanding him is understanding that he had a priest's heart, a pastor's heart, and where he couldn't change doctrine, he wanted to change and open up pastoral practice.' In 2023, Francis authorized blessings for same-sex couples, marking a significant shift in the church's approach to LGBTQ+ people. Francis also started a renewal process, where topics including the role of women, celibacy for priests, and the church's teaching on sex were addressed. He also wanted to find ways to include Catholics who had divorced and remarried and so were prohibited from receiving communion. He later said they were permitted to receive the sacrament on a case-by-case basis. Update: Date: Title: Australia sends Catholic Church's youngest cardinal to papal conclave Content: The youngest cardinal set to elect the new pope will be Australia's only representative at the papal conclave in Rome. Cardinal Mykola Bychok became the youngest bishop to be elevated to cardinal status last December at age 44. Born in Ukraine in 1980, Bychok has served in various roles within the church, including as a missionary in Russia then later as a parish priest in Ukraine, according to the College of Cardinals Report. He also spent time as a vicar in New Jersey in the United States before moving to Australia in 2020, the site said. Bychok paid tribute to Francis on Monday, saying he was a pope 'for the marginalised and those on the periphery.' 'He was a man of simple piety who strove to bring the church closer to people,' Bychok wrote. Bychok noted that Francis had continued the work started by his predecessor Pope Benedict XVI in addressing sex abuse within the church but indicated more needed to be done. 'Pope Francis apologised to survivors of abuse and set in place simpler procedures to deal with perpetrators,' he wrote. 'He began to implement a culture of safeguarding for the most vulnerable. Work that must continue into the future.' Update: Date: Title: Cardinals choosing the next pope must decide whether the church wants Francis' legacy to live on, analyst says Content: Cardinals will vote for Pope Francis' successor based on whether they want his legacy to live on or a change of direction, CNN's Vatican analyst said. The senior church officials around the world will soon converge in the Vatican for a millennia-old process known as the conclave to select the next face of the Catholic Church following Francis' death on Monday. Elise Allen told CNN that cardinals eligible to cast that vote will now be asking themselves whether they think Francis' papacy led the church in a good direction or whether they 'want to try something different.' 'I think the general consensus is that Francis was very beloved by the world. He was a bit of a lightning rod, though,' said Allen, who is also a senior correspondent at the Catholic news outlet Crux. The Argentinian pontiff was known for his more progressive views on immigration and LGBTQ+ issues, but Allen said his approaches also drew doubts from the conservative fraction. 'He was quite controversial, as you mentioned, with conservatives and especially with some doctrinal points they disputed. Maybe he wasn't firm enough on some issues,' Allen said. 'My instinct, and I could be totally wrong on this, is that they're going to want something, someone who can continue a lot of Francis' legacy, the things that the world appreciated, but who might be a little more predictable.' Some context: When a pope dies, the dean of the Sacred College of Cardinals calls for a meeting of all cardinals eligible to participate in a secret vote. There are currently 136 eligible cardinals. It typically takes between two and three weeks for a pope to be chosen, though it can stretch slightly beyond that if cardinals struggle to agree on a candidate. Update: Date: Title: In pictures: Pope Francis remembered by Catholics across Asia Content: Update: Date: Title: Sexual abuse survivors call for next pope to do more to end abuse Content: Survivors of church sexual abuse say the next pope needs to do more to rid Catholicism of abusive clergy members and overhaul the Vatican's handling of such cases. The Survivors Network for those Abused by Priests (SNAP) called for whoever succeeds Pope Francis to institute a 'zero tolerance law' for sexual abuse. The survivor advocacy group wants abusive clergy — and church leaders who've covered up their crimes — to be ejected from the ministry. It also wants more oversight of bishops. '(The next pope) must use his authority to enact fundamental, institutional changes to end the systematic practice of sexual abuse and its concealment.' In 2022, Francis told CNN Portugal the church had 'zero tolerance' for abuse and that a priest could not remain in the ministry 'if he is an abuser.' But SNAP said Monday that the church had not followed through on its promises of transparency and more work was needed to bring abusers to account. When Francis became pontiff, he inherited an institution tarnished by decades of abuse scandals involving crimes committed by clergy members against vulnerable children worldwide. Critics had hoped for change, but in 2018, Francis was criticized for defending a Chilean bishop who had been accused of covering up sexual abuse. The pope later called his handling of the case a 'grave error' and invited victims to meet him. In 2019, Francis convened an unprecedented four-day summit of church leaders in Rome to discuss ways to rid the church of sexual predators, who he called the 'tools of Satan.' One of the summit's outcomes was the withdrawal of Vatican secrecy rules that had prevented documents and information from being shared with civil authorities. But SNAP says information is still being withheld and alleged crimes concealed. The group launched 'Conclave Watch,' a website tracking papal candidates, including their records on reporting sexual abuse within the church. 'When white smoke emerges from the Sistine Chapel, the new pontiff will have no credibility with survivors if he has a history of having enabled sexual abuse by concealing it from the public and allowing perpetrators to remain in ministry in any capacity,' SNAP said. Update: Date: Title: Pope remembered in the Pacific for his focus on climate change Content: Pope Francis is being remembered in the Pacific as a leader who championed the environment and helped amplify the voices of those most affected by climate change. Francis frequently advocated against the burning of fossil fuels and urged leaders to take action against climate change. He was also the first pope to make ecological issues a cornerstone of his papacy. Archbishop of Suva, Peter Loy Chong, who oversees the Catholic Church in Fiji, Rarotonga, Kiribati, Narau & Tuvalu, said it was heartening for Pacific people to hear the leader of the church speak strongly about climate change. 'Everyone is talking, but the voices of the people right in the front of climate change are forgotten,' he said. 'For us, especially with climate change, it means a lot to us if we can get inside the conversations.' 'If you cannot bring in the voices of those people, then the world will not know what is happening.' Loy Chong highlighted a visit Francis made to Papua New Guinea last year, during which Francis delivered a politically charged message about the mining of rare earth minerals in the region. 'These goods are destined by God for the entire community,' Pope Francis said, warning large international companies should not be the only ones to benefit. 'That was a big statement for our leaders to hear,' said Loy Chong. 'A lot of mining industry are scavenging the Pacific Islands.' Some context: The Pacific Islands are hit harder than most places in the world by climate change — suffering from a 'triple whammy' of ocean heating, sea level rise and acidification, which is harming ecosystems, damaging crops, containing fresh water sources, and destroying livelihoods. Kiribati is considered one of the world's most vulnerable nations to climate change. Update: Date: Title: Gay Vatican advisor describes the pope's support for trans worshipers Content: 'The fact that you're gay does not matter. God loves you.' These were the words Juan Carlos Cruz, a victim of clerical sexual abuse and an openly gay Vatican advisor, recalled Pope Francis telling him several years ago. 'Pope Francis had the guts and the courage to name things by their name, things that were forbidden to speak [of] – the abuse of priests, the cover up of bishops, of cardinals,' said Cruz, who spent three days with the pontiff in 2018. Pope Francis met that year abuse survivors like Cruz after investigations uncovered another sex abuse scandal in the Catholic church, this time in Chile. Francis had personally apologized to him for 'grave errors' in the handling of the scandal. 'He really has made a difference providing safe spaces and prevention. And now, we're working on reparations, which are very important, if you ever can repaired of this,' Cruz told CNN. Cruz also mentioned he brought some transgender people to meet the pope to share their stories, with Cruz recalling Francis was 'almost in tears' during the encounter. The church belongs to 'every one, every one, every one,' Cruz recalled Francis saying, and hopes the church can preserve the pontiff's legacy of acceptance. A more progressive legacy: Francis established the church's first commission for the protection of minors in 2014. In 2023, Francis authorized blessings for same-sex couples, marking a significant shift in the church's approach to LGBTQ+ people. But some survivor groups argue the Catholic church had not followed through enough on promises of transparency and needs to do more to bring abusers to account. Update: Date: Title: In Canada, Pope Francis will be remembered for his historic apology to Indigenous people Content: 'I am very sorry.' These words, delivered by Pope Francis to Canadian Indigenous leaders during their historic visit to Rome in 2022, were decades in the making. Francis apologized for the Catholic Church's role in what he said were 'deplorable' abuses at Canada's residential schools, which forcibly assimilated Indigenous children into Canadian society, stripping them of their language and culture. More than 4,000 Indigenous children died from either neglect or abuse in residential schools, most of which were run by the church, according to Canada's Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The last residential school closed in 1998. The discovery of hundreds of unmarked graves on the grounds of former residential schools in British Columbia and Saskatchewan in 2021 further laid bare the extent of the horrors. Indigenous leaders had fought for decades for a papal apology for the harm inflicted on First Nations, Inuit and Métis children. Francis will be remembered in Canada as the pope who finally delivered that apology — first at the Vatican, then again during an emotional six-day 'pilgrimage of penance' in Alberta, Quebec and Nunavut. 'I humbly beg forgiveness for the evil committed by so many Christians against the Indigenous peoples,' Francis said in Canada. The pontiff's visit was bittersweet for survivors, some of whom said it triggered more pain. But Francis' public recognition of the Church's wrongdoing — abuses for which he said he felt 'sorrow and shame' — were a crucial step toward reconciliation, according to many Indigenous leaders. 'We've lost an ally,' Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak, told CNN affiliate CBC News. 'He wanted to right the wrongs of the past. 'Pope Francis opened up a new chapter to healing for survivors and their families.' Update: Date: Title: One of the world's most Catholic countries will have an important role in choosing the next pope Content: The Southeast Asian nation of East Timor — one of the world's most Catholic countries — has declared a week of national mourning for Pope Francis. East Timor, also known as Timor-Leste, is the second-most Catholic country in the world, with 97% of the population identifying as Catholic, the highest share outside of the Vatican. It hosted Pope Francis on his marathon trip through Asia last year. He received a rapturous welcome, with almost half of the country's 1.3 million population attending his open-air Mass. Churches in East Timor held special masses on Monday and flags will be flown at half-mast to honor the pope, whose death was described by its President Jose Ramos-Horta as a 'tremendous loss for the world, not just only for Christians.' East Timor is one of the world's youngest countries and the Catholic Church was influential in its tumultuous and bloody fight for independence from Indonesia. The East Timor government called the pope's visit 'a historic moment for our country.' 'It was a profound encounter with a people who had suffered so much in gaining their freedom and independence,' said government spokesperson and minister Agio Pereira. East Timor will also have an important role in choosing the next pope. Cardinal Virgilio do Carmo da Silva is the country's first cardinal after he was hand-picked by Pope Francis in 2022. Carmo da Silva is named by the Vatican as one of 135 cardinal electors, making him the first person from East Timor to take part in a conclave, the millennia-old process of picking a new pontiff. Update: Date: Title: "We lost a man of peace": Palestinians in the Holy Land mourn the pope's death Content: Palestinians from Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and Gaza are mourning Pope Francis' death, saying they've 'lost a man of peace' who was 'supportive of the Palestinian people.' In Gaza, worshippers commemorated the pope at the Holy Family Church. Francis, who had long criticized Israel's war in Gaza, called for a ceasefire in the enclave. Throughout the war, he made nightly calls to Father Gabriele Romanelli, parish priest of the church in Gaza, where Christians and Muslims have often sought refuge from Israeli bombardment. The last call between the two was held on Saturday, Romanelli said. The Pope was 'very close to us' during the war, sending a 'blessing for all Gazan people and for all the Palestinians,' Romanelli said. 'We expect that the world will accept his call…his appeal for the peace.' Across Gaza, Christian and Muslim Palestinians mourned the pope. 'We lost a man of peace and a man of love,' Palestinian Christian Essam Qormosh said. Mouein Shaloulah, a Muslim Palestinian, expressed 'grief and sorrow,' saying he hopes the Pope's call for 'justice and fairness' will be achieved after his death. In Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank, mayor Anton Salman said the loss is both to the 'Catholic Church and to humanity.' The Pope used to 'encourage [the people of Gaza] to stay and remain steadfast until this dark cloud clears from Palestinian skies.' 'Bethlehem is sad today,' resident Atallah Hannah said. 'He was supportive of the Palestinian people.' In Jerusalem, pilgrims and worshippers have been celebrating Easter at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre — believed to be the site of Jesus Christ's tomb, from which he was resurrected. 'We were honestly surprised with the news, and very sad,' a Palestinian Christian worshipper said. 'We want to pray for his soul in this holy day after the day of resurrection.' Update: Date: Title: Pope's death delays canonization of world's first millennial saint Content: Pope Francis had been expected to canonize the world's first millennial saint at a service next Sunday attended by tens of thousands of teenagers from around the world. The event has since been postponed. Born in London to Italian parents in 1991, Carlo Acutis was just 15 years old when he died of leukemia in 2006. He was beatified in Assisi, Italy, last year, where his body lies entombed in a transparent casket, covered by a wax mold of his likeness, wearing a track top, jeans and trainers, according to Reuters. His mother Antonia Salzano Acutis told the news agency that her son showed an early interest in the church, but in many ways, he was just like an ordinary teen. 'His extraordinary quality was the fact that he opened the door of his heart to Jesus and put Jesus in the first place in his life,' Salzano Acutis said. Becoming a saint requires the recognition of two miracles. Prayers to Acutis are credited with healing a 4-year-old Brazilian boy who suffered from a pancreatic illness, and a 21-year-old Costa Rican woman who was almost killed in a bicycle accident. Acutis was known for his devotion to miracles and apparitions of the Virgin Mary and created a website to document them, according to Vatican News. His life was the subject of a documentary released earlier this month that depicts him as an ordinary sneaker-wearing teenager with a talent for web design. Update: Date: Title: Here's how the millennia-old process of picking a new pontiff will unfold Content: Pope Francis' death has triggered the start of a millennia-old process of picking a new pontiff. Here are the next steps: The mourning period: The pope's passing marked the start of the 'Papal Interregnum' — the period between the death of one pope and the election of another. The pope's death includes nine days of mourning known as the Novendiales, and the pope must be buried between the fourth and sixth day. Cardinals must now decide exactly when the funeral can take place. Until then, the pope will lie in state in a coffin. The burial: Francis declared his wish to be buried in a simple tomb in the ground at Rome's Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, a significant Catholic church and papal basilica. Seven past pontiffs are buried there, but he will be the first in over a century to choose this burial site, which is outside the Vatican. He had arranged for an unnamed benefactor to cover the expenses of his burial. Picking a new pope: Cardinals from around the world must gather for the conclave to select Francis' successor. The voting process is kept secret and typically takes between two and three weeks, though it can stretch slightly beyond that if cardinals struggle to agree on a candidate. The interim: Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who holds the position of 'camerlengo' or chamberlain, has become acting head of the Vatican. Farrell was also the cardinal who sealed the Papal Apartment of the Apostolic Palace, the traditional residence of the pope, to mark the beginning of the mourning period. The apartment was not used by Francis, who lived in Casa Santa Marta, and that apartment was also sealed. The closure of the pope's residences is a symbolic gesture that historically served to prevent looting and symbolizes the formal end of the Francis pontificate.
Express Tribune
22-04-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
Pope Francis dies after stroke, heart Failure: Vatican
Listen to article Pope Francis, the first Latin American pope and a transformative figure in the Catholic Church, died Monday morning at the age of 88 following a stroke and subsequent irreversible heart failure, the Vatican confirmed. The Argentine-born pontiff passed away at 7:35 a.m. local time in his Vatican residence, just a day after appearing in public during Easter celebrations in St. Peter's Square. Despite recent hospitalisation for double pneumonia, Pope Francis had resumed duties against doctors' advice, continuing to meet dignitaries and deliver blessings. The death certificate noted the pontiff had also suffered from Type 2 diabetes, previously undisclosed. Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Camerlengo, announced the pope's death and now oversees Church operations until a new leader is elected. Cardinals in Rome will convene Tuesday to begin funeral planning and discuss the nine-day mourning period known as Novendiales. The pope's body is expected to be moved to St. Peter's Basilica by Wednesday for public viewing. The funeral is anticipated between Friday and Sunday, with a conclave to select the next pope to begin no earlier than May 6. In a departure from tradition, Pope Francis requested burial at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major instead of St. Peter's. Global tributes have poured in. US President Donald Trump and other world leaders, including Argentina's Javier Milei, have confirmed attendance at the funeral. From Buenos Aires to the Philippines, Catholics mourned the pope who championed the marginalized and modernized Vatican operations. Known for humility and reform, Pope Francis' papacy was marked by efforts to address clerical abuse, decentralize Church authority, and promote social justice. 'He died with the smell of the sheep on him,' said Cardinal Michael Czerny, honoring Francis' deep connection to the faithful
The Star
22-04-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Warisan conveys condolences to Catholics over Pope Francis's passing
KOTA KINABALU: Parti Warisan has conveyed its condolences to the Catholic community over the passing of Pope Francis. Its president, Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said the pope has been known for being a religious leader who promotes a message of peace, unity and harmony, especially in nations of conflict. 'In times where the world is becoming more overwhelmed with social, economic and political conflicts that threaten the lives of those of lower and medium income, Pope Francis stood firm in bringing his message of tolerance,' he said in a statement. 'I would also like to convey my deepest condolences to the Catholic community in Malaysia, specifically Sabah and Sarawak,' he added. Shafie hopes the pope's legacy of promoting peace and tolerance will be continued by future generations. All Catholic churches in Sabah are expected to hold special masses over Pope Francis' death, but the dates have yet to be set. In Rome, a nine-day official mourning period called the Novendiales is observed.
