Latest news with #PapaFrancesco
Irish Daily Mirror
26-04-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Celtic fans throw tangerines on pitch during Dundee United game in protest
Dozens of tangerines were tossed onto the field by Celtic supporters during their match at Tannadice in protest against Dundee United's admission fees. The Hoops had raised concerns with the Scottish Professional Football League after United set adult ticket prices at up to £42 for away supporters when it became clear the leaders would clinch the William Hill Premiership title with a point at Tannadice. The match was briefly interrupted as the fruits were launched onto the pitch merely 11 minutes into play, at 12.42 pm. While the fruits were being hurled, Celtic fans chanted about the high prices while holding up a sign that said, "Enjoy the fruits of our labour". Before kick-off, a well-observed minute's silence was held for Pope Francis on the day of his funeral. The supporters of the visiting team made public tributes to Pope Francis by raising Vatican banners and chanting "Papa Francesco". After a brief interlude marked by a few early cries, the silent interlude succeeded in having full participation. A meeting between the visiting team, including Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers, his squad, and support staff and Pope Francis took place after game against Lazio in December 2023.
Irish Examiner
21-04-2025
- General
- Irish Examiner
An Irishwoman in Rome: Italy mourns a man who spent his papacy consorting with the poor, prisoners, and sinners
The Pope is dead. The news was given Urbi et Orbi — to the City and the World — by his Camerlengo Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, reading the official Vatican statement in a soft voice with a strong Irish accent. As an Irishwoman in Italy, that small auditory detail made this profound event immediately more affecting — the simplicity of the statement and its delivery by Cardinal Farrell, in keeping with the simplicity of Papa Francesco's reign — this ordinary, extraordinary man who spent his papacy, not in pontifical silks or ermine or satin, but in an anorak consorting with the poor, prisoners and sinners, his final days wearing a poncho. This morning, when I went for my walk at 7am, he was alive. When I returned along the ancient road that centuries of pilgrims took to Rome, and on which the miraculous image of the Madonna of Impruneta was carried in times of war, plague and famine, he was dead. Along the route, chirrupy sparrows fed their young. Blackbirds admonished their new-flyers for staying too near the ground. In the midst of the death that would be felt across the world, there was life; small, innocent, representing hope in, and for, the future. They ate, they flew, unaware that in Rome, Papa Francesco was dead. This morning, on that old road to Rome, hope was the thing with feathers. A nun holds an image of Pope Francis near St Peter's square, after the death of Pope Francis was announced by the Vatican on Monday morning Pictures. Reuters/Guglielmo Mangiapane As news spread around the neighbourhood, Italians came out to their doors, onto their balconies, terraces — some had rosaries, others watching the breaking news on their phones or sharing it with friends and family. It seemed we all wanted company, solidarity. The agreement was general: yesterday at the Easter services he looked hollowed out, had neither voice nor breath for the blessing that turned out to be his last. On TV, as I flick through channels, the talking heads seem to think the same: his surprise trip among the crowds in the Pope Mobile, though in his last agony, was his addio to the people he loved, the people he was part of, as a brother, a father, a friend. Church bells are to ring in mourning throughout Italy. The first bells for the dead tolling in St Peter's this morning brought chills, the darkness of their tone reflecting the sorrow of all gathered in the square or watching on TV. President Sergio Mattarella, whose brother Piersanti was assassinated by the Mafia in 1980, led the nation in respect, love, mourning. For many, it is he and Papa Francesco who represent the best and deepest qualities of Italy, of humanity itself. Papa Francesco died on Pasquetta or Lunedi del'Angelo named in honour of the angel who appeared to the women at the tomb, telling them Christ was no longer there, but risen. Today, as was announced in Rome, Jorge Bergoglio, Pope Francis, Papa Francesco loved by Italians — believers and non-believers — as theirs, above all others, has returned to the house of his Father, to the arms of the risen Christ. Alleluia.
Sky News
25-03-2025
- Health
- Sky News
Pope Francis arrives home to the Vatican after five-week hospital stay
The pope has arrived home to the Vatican after spending five weeks in hospital battling a life-threatening bout of pneumonia. It was an extraordinary journey home that saw him take two diversions, including stopping to greet a dog walker. And it brings to an end a 38-day hospital stay, the longest of Francis's 12-year papacy and the second-longest in recent papal history. The 88-year-old pontiff appeared on a public balcony at Rome's Gemelli hospital to bless the crowd shortly before he was discharged from the hospital where he has been since Valentine's Day. "I see this woman with the yellow flowers. Brava!" a tired-looking Francis said while waving. He gave a thumbs up - and a weak sign of the cross before being wheeled back inside. Chants of "Viva il papa!" and "Papa Francesco" could be heard from the crowd, which included patients who had been wheeled outside to catch his brief appearance. The Pope then began his journey home to the Vatican for a two-month period of rest and convalescence - but not before making two diversions. He made a short stop at the Papal Basilica to pray - a place on the other side of the city he often visits before and after any trips he makes, and where he has said he wants to be buried, breaking papal convention. He gave the basilica's cardinal the yellow flowers he had seen from the balcony - given to him by a woman named Carmela Mancuso, from Calabria in southern Italy, who had visited the hospital every day since 14 February. These were placed before the Salus Populi Romani, a Byzantine-style painting on wood that is revered by Romans. Its title signifies the Virgin Mary as the protector of the people of Rome. He made a second stop on his journey as his car pulled over and there was an interaction between the pontiff's security and two people, one of whom had a dog. The Holy Father then appeared to greet the pair through the open car door. The dog walker, who named herself as Stefania and her dog as Camilla, told Sky News: "I live here up on the street. I just told him welcome back home. "The Pope seemed very tired, I'll keep praying for him." He was also seen speaking to two soldiers from his car outside the Vatican gates. Italian defence sources told our Europe producer in Rome Simone Baglivo the two soldiers are part of the Safe Streets army operation, which is aimed at protecting "targets" around the country from terrorists attacks. 'He's been asking when he can go home' Doctors announced his planned release on Saturday, and said the Pope should refrain from meeting with big groups - but added that he should be able to resume all normal activities eventually. No special arrangements have been made at the Domus Santa Marta, the Vatican hotel next to the basilica where Francis lives in a two-room suite on the second floor. But he will have access to supplemental oxygen and 24-hour medical care as needed. While the pneumonia infection has been successfully treated, Francis will continue to take oral medication to treat a fungal infection in his lungs and continue respiratory and physical physiotherapy. "For three or four days he's been asking when he can go home, so he's very happy," Dr Luigi Carbone, his personal physician, said. 2:18 The Argentinian pope, who has chronic lung disease and had part of one lung removed as a young man, was admitted to Gemelli on Valentine's Day after a bout of bronchitis worsened. It developed into double pneumonia, caused by what his doctors called a "complex" infection involving several microorganisms. During his 38 days in hospital, the Pope suffered four acute episodes of what the Vatican called "respiratory crises", which involved serious coughing fits caused by constrictions in his airways, similar to asthma attacks. Two of the crises were critical, putting Francis "in danger of his life", said Dr Sergio Alfieri, head of the Pope's medical team. Dr Alfieri confirmed on Saturday he was still having trouble speaking due to the damage to his lungs and respiratory muscles, but predicted his voice would eventually return to normal. Pope's hospital release an 'emotional experience' for supporters Some people in the crowd surrounding the Pope's balcony earlier reflected on what his first public appearance in five weeks meant to them. Spanish nun Luisa Jimenez said it was "an important emotional experience to see him" with "so many people waiting for this moment". She said there was so much "joy", despite how little he spoke, adding it had given those praying for him "confidence" he will fully recover. Binigi Machrine, a faithful from Uganda, said: "I was so, so happy. It has been a long wait. We have been praying, right from the point when I heard that he was sick, we started praying. "I came here the very first day when he was hospitalised, I dedicated my prayer and I was so happy when I heard that he would come out to give us a blessing, so I am so happy, I am so excited." David Allan, a tourist from Scotland, was also in the crowd. He said it was good to see the Pope "looking a bit better" and was happy to see him get out of hospital and back to his residence. Colombian nun Angel Bernal Amparo said she was "happy" to see the pontiff but "at the same time, I felt sad because he didn't look well". She said she was upset to see that he wasn't able to address the crowd much due to his health, but was ultimately "glad to have seen him". Simon Nguyen, a faithful from Los Angeles, said he wasn't worried about the Pope because "he always has a sense of youth, also a sense of joy, a sense of spirit", which he said could be seen today. A busy Jubilee year Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni declined to confirm any upcoming events, including a scheduled audience on 8 April with the King or Francis's participation in Easter services at the end of the month. But Dr Carbone said he was hopeful the Pope may be well enough to travel to Turkey at the end of May to participate in an important anniversary for the church. He has returned to the Vatican in the midst of a busy Holy Year, a celebration that takes place every 25 years and is scheduled to draw more than 30 million pilgrims to Rome this year. While he has already missed several Jubilee audiences, Vatican officials say his absence hasn't significantly impacted the numbers arriving. The only other pope to experience such a lengthy hospital stay was St John Paul II who spent 55 days at Gemelli in 1981 for minor surgery and the treatment of an infection.
Yahoo
23-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Pope Francis Makes First Public Appearance Since Battling Life-Threatening Disease
Pope Francis was released from Rome's Gemelli Hospital on Sunday, March 23, where he had been recovering from bronchitis, which advanced into double pneumonia, since February. Following five weeks in the hospital, the pope is now returning to the Vatican, where he will continue his treatment and recovery. The pope, 88, made his first public appearance in weeks on Sunday, waving to people and showing his love for them, and then left the hospital. He also gave a blessing to the crowd and acknowledged one woman in the crowd who was holding yellow flowers. "I see a woman with yellow flowers. Brava!" he said, according to NPR. The crowd responded by calling out "Viva il papa!" and "Papa Francesco." In the pope's Angelus message, which was given to reporters in advance, he states, "During this long period of hospitalization, I have had the opportunity to experience the patience of the Lord, which I also see reflected in the tireless care of doctors and health workers, as well as in the care and hopes of the relatives of the sick." He added, "This trusting patience, anchored in the love of God that does not fail, is truly necessary in our life, especially to face the most difficult and painful situations." Pope Francis also added that he was "saddened by the resumption of heavy Israeli bombings on the Gaza Strip, with so many dead and wounded" and asked for peace talks between Israel and Hamas to resume, "so that all the hostages are freed and a definitive ceasefire is reached." The pontiff is returning to his residence at Casa Santa Marta, which has been his home since being elected pope in 2013. Doctors stated in a news conference that he will have to rest and recover for at least two months for his body to fully heal.
CBC
23-03-2025
- Health
- CBC
Pope Francis blesses crowd, leaves hospital after battling pneumonia for 5 weeks
A weak and frail Pope Francis left the hospital on Sunday after surviving a five-week, life-threatening bout of pneumonia, giving a thumbs up to an adoring crowd and taking a detour to go pray at a Rome-area church before returning home to the Vatican. A motorcade carrying the 88-year-old Pope wound its way through light Rome traffic on Sunday morning and kept going after reaching Vatican City, where crowds of people had lined the streets to welcome him home. Francis later arrived across town at St. Mary Major Basilica, where he often goes to pray. Before leaving Gemelli hospital, Francis gave a thumbs up and acknowledged the crowd after he was wheeled out onto the balcony overlooking the main entrance. "I see this woman with the yellow flowers. Brava!" a tired and bloated-looking Francis said. He gave a weak sign of the cross before being wheeled back inside. Chants of "Viva il papa!" and "Papa Francesco" erupted from the crowd, which included patients who had been wheeled outside just to catch his brief appearance. His blessing came before he began a two-month period of rest and convalescence. People also gathered in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on a brilliant Sunday morning to see the pontiff on large TV screens. Doctors, who announced his planned release on Saturday evening, said he should refrain from meeting with big groups of people or exerting himself but that eventually he should be able to resume all of his normal activities. His return home, after the longest hospitalization of his 12-year papacy and the second-longest in recent papal history, brought tangible relief to the Vatican and Catholic faithful who have been anxiously following 38 days of medical ups and downs. "Today I feel a great joy," said Dr. Rossella Russomando, a doctor from Salerno who didn't treat Francis but was at Gemelli on Sunday. "It is the demonstration that all our prayers, all the rosary prayers from all over the world, brought this grace." Access to supplemental oxygen at home No special arrangements have been made at the Domus Santa Marta, the Vatican hotel next to the basilica where Francis lives in a two-room suite on the second floor. The Pope will have access to supplemental oxygen and 24-hour medical care as needed, though his personal physician, Dr. Luigi Carbone, said he hoped Francis would progressively need less and less assistance breathing as his lungs recover. While the pneumonia infection has been successfully treated, Francis will continue to take oral medication for quite some time to treat the fungal infection in his lungs and continue his respiratory and physical physiotherapy. "For three or four days he's been asking when he can go home, so he's very happy," Carbone said. The Pope, who has chronic lung disease and had part of one lung removed as a young man, was admitted to Gemelli on Feb. 14 after a bout of bronchitis worsened. 2 blood transfusions Doctors first diagnosed a complex bacterial, viral and fungal respiratory tract infection, and soon thereafter, pneumonia, in both lungs. Blood tests showed signs of anemia, low blood platelets and the onset of kidney failure, all of which later resolved after two blood transfusions. The most serious setbacks began on Feb. 28, when Francis experienced an acute coughing fit and inhaled vomit, requiring the use of a noninvasive mechanical ventilation mask to help him breathe. He suffered two more respiratory crises a few days later, which required doctors to manually aspirate "copious" amounts of mucus from his lungs, at which point he began sleeping with the ventilation mask at night to help his lungs clear the accumulation of fluids. Francis was never intubated and at no point lost consciousness, doctors said. Dr. Sergio Alfieri, the medical and surgical chief at Gemelli who co-ordinated Francis's medical team, said the Pope's life was at risk twice, during the two acute respiratory crises. Alfieri confirmed that Francis was still having trouble speaking due to the damage to his lungs and respiratory muscles. But he said such problems were normal, especially in older patients, and predicted his voice would eventually return to normal. No confirmed appointments for now Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni declined to confirm any upcoming events, including a scheduled audience on April 8 with King Charles III or Francis's participation in Easter services at the end of the month. But Carbone said he hoped Francis might be well enough to travel to Turkey at the end of May to participate in an important ecumenical anniversary. The Pope is also returning to the Vatican in the throes of a Holy Year, the once-every-quarter-century celebration scheduled to draw more than 30 million pilgrims to Rome this year. Francis has already missed several Jubilee audiences and will presumably miss several more, but Vatican officials say his absence hasn't significantly impacted the numbers of expected pilgrims arriving. Only St. John Paul II recorded a longer hospitalization in 1981, when he spent 55 days at Gemelli for minor surgery and treatment of an infection.
