Latest news with #anti-Francis
Sydney Morning Herald
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
As the world cooks, why have our political leaders gone cold on global warming?
Pope Francis was entombed on Saturday in a simple wooden coffin in accordance with his wishes. He is remembered by millions as the 'people's Pope' after a lifetime of advocacy for the poor and disenfranchised. In climate circles, Francis is remembered for Laudato Si, his second encyclical letter to the faithful, subtitled 'On Care for Our Common Home'. It is a 184-page treatise lamenting climate change and the destruction of the earth and its environmental systems in support of reckless consumerism. Its publication in 2015 helped secure the 2016 Paris Accord, signed by almost every nation on earth, which pledged to hold global warming to less than two degrees and as close as possible to 1.5 degrees. But it had other political impacts. It drove what is sometimes referred to as the 'Francis effect' in the US, hardening the views of right-wing Catholics against his papacy, including his calls for climate action. Their support helped Donald Trump secure his second term, which he is using to dismantle climate action domestically and to disrupt it internationally. An anti-Francis faction is now seeking to make the Vatican great again with a right-wing pope. 'The hope is to have a pontificate that concentrates more on Catholic issues, such as pro-life and family, rather than climate change and immigration,' Princess Gloria von Thurn und Taxis, a German aristocrat and a prominent member of a right-wing push Europe and the US, told Politico this week. Born in Argentina, Francis never returned to his country of origin throughout his papacy. Despite Francis's climate advocacy, Argentina is now led by Javier Milei, a right-wing populist and climate sceptic who flirts with abandoning the Paris Accord. On Monday, Canada reinstalled Mark Carney as prime minister. Carney is a former governor of the central banks of Canada and England, but in climate circles he is known for an address made at Lloyds of London in 2015, often referred to as his 'tragedy of the horizon' speech. He warned global financial institutions that climate change presented a real and overwhelming economic threat. Though its impacts would be most devastating to future generations, it could be addressed only by our own. This was the tragedy. The speech is credited with catalysing a tectonic shift in the view of the financial sector to climate risk. Carney's advocacy would later help secure the Glasgow Climate Pact at 2021 world climate talks, accelerating actions to achieve the Paris goals. Optimists believed that the financial sector's engagement would serve as a bulwark against backsliding politicians. Banks, insurance companies and even the fossil fuel giants came on board with ambitious investment and emission reduction targets of their own.
The Age
02-05-2025
- Politics
- The Age
As the world cooks, why have our political leaders gone cold on global warming?
Pope Francis was entombed on Saturday in a simple wooden coffin in accordance with his wishes. He is remembered by millions as the 'people's Pope' after a lifetime of advocacy for the poor and disenfranchised. In climate circles, Francis is remembered for Laudato Si, his second encyclical letter to the faithful, subtitled 'On Care for Our Common Home'. It is a 184-page treatise lamenting climate change and the destruction of the earth and its environmental systems in support of reckless consumerism. Its publication in 2015 helped secure the 2016 Paris Accord, signed by almost every nation on earth, which pledged to hold global warming to less than two degrees and as close as possible to 1.5 degrees. But it had other political impacts. It drove what is sometimes referred to as the 'Francis effect' in the US, hardening the views of right-wing Catholics against his papacy, including his calls for climate action. Their support helped Donald Trump secure his second term, which he is using to dismantle climate action domestically and to disrupt it internationally. An anti-Francis faction is now seeking to make the Vatican great again with a right-wing pope. 'The hope is to have a pontificate that concentrates more on Catholic issues, such as pro-life and family, rather than climate change and immigration,' Princess Gloria von Thurn und Taxis, a German aristocrat and a prominent member of a right-wing push Europe and the US, told Politico this week. Born in Argentina, Francis never returned to his country of origin throughout his papacy. Despite Francis's climate advocacy, Argentina is now led by Javier Milei, a right-wing populist and climate sceptic who flirts with abandoning the Paris Accord. On Monday, Canada reinstalled Mark Carney as prime minister. Carney is a former governor of the central banks of Canada and England, but in climate circles he is known for an address made at Lloyds of London in 2015, often referred to as his 'tragedy of the horizon' speech. He warned global financial institutions that climate change presented a real and overwhelming economic threat. Though its impacts would be most devastating to future generations, it could be addressed only by our own. This was the tragedy. The speech is credited with catalysing a tectonic shift in the view of the financial sector to climate risk. Carney's advocacy would later help secure the Glasgow Climate Pact at 2021 world climate talks, accelerating actions to achieve the Paris goals. Optimists believed that the financial sector's engagement would serve as a bulwark against backsliding politicians. Banks, insurance companies and even the fossil fuel giants came on board with ambitious investment and emission reduction targets of their own.
Newsweek
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Cardinal Calls On Next Pope To Stand Up to 'Gay Lobby'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Cardinal Gerhard Müller has called on the next pope to stand up to the "gay lobby" as the race to choose the next leader of the Catholic church continues. Speaking to local media, Müller, a German cardinal who served as prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith from 2012 to 2017, said homosexuality was "contrary to the doctrine of the Church" and urged the next pope to not give into "pressure" from external sources and be "strong on doctrine." Why It Matters The late pope was widely considered to be an inclusive one, sometimes to the dismay of the more traditionalist within the Catholic Church. Tensions between liberal and conservative wings, between pro- and anti-Francis camps, are sure to arise during the opaque proceedings of the conclave that will elect the next pope. Cardinals attend a mass on the fifth of nine days of mourning for late Pope Francis, in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Wednesday, April 30, 2025. Cardinals attend a mass on the fifth of nine days of mourning for late Pope Francis, in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Wednesday, April 30, 2025. AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino What To Know Speaking to Italian newspaper La Stampa on April 28, Müller said the next pope should have "a solid theological and doctrinal formation," which is "neither authoritarian nor weak." "If Jesus says that marriage is between a man and a woman and is indissoluble, no pope can change this doctrine," he added. "The homosexual lobbies want to equate unions between people of the same sex to marriage, but this totally contradicts the doctrine of the Bible. We can discuss concrete, individual pastoral care for individuals, to guide them to Christian life, but we cannot accept gender ideology, which is contrary to the doctrine of the Church." Pope Francis kept the Vatican's position that homosexual acts were sinful, however the late pope also took a more inclusive stance on LGBTQ+ rights. In 2023, he allowed the blessing of same-sex couples and said being homosexual was "not a crime." He also said transgender people can be baptized and serve as godparents. Müller previously criticized the late pope for his more liberal views. What People Are Saying Müller told La Stampa: "We are not representatives of ideological factions or some lobby, we must not give in to external and media pressure, we belong to the whole Church." President Donald Trump recently weighed in on the election, telling reporters on April 29: "I'd like to be pope. That would be my number one choice. No, I don't know, I have no preference...I must say we have a cardinal [Timothy Dolan, who has been the archbishop of New York since 2009] that happens to be out of a place called New York who's very good." What Happens Next The Vatican announced Tuesday that cardinals from around the world would meet for the conclave inside the Sistine Chapel on May 7 to elect the next pope. They will vote in rounds until one receives a two-thirds majority. There is no set time for how long a conclave may last, but the last two concluded within two days.
The Guardian
22-04-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
Morning Mail: ‘lying' claims in leaders' debate, IMF rings global economic alarm bell, Gore lashes Trump
Morning everyone. The impact of Donald Trump's economic wrecking ball will cost Australia $13bn in annual output, the IMF has warned, which has rung another alarm bell for the global financial system. Plus we bring you the key takeaways from last night's mostly uninspiring third leaders' debate. Overseas, the pope's funeral is set for Saturday, militants kill 28 tourists in Kashmir, and Al Gore hits out at the White House. Blame game | Peter Dutton has blamed poor polling during the election campaign on Labor attack ads rather than his own performance. Last night's debate was briefly enlivened when the leaders were asked to name the other's biggest lie. Here are the five key takeaways from the event, one of which being 'do we really need another one on Sunday?' And if the leaders are wondering how to reach younger voters, Rafqa Touma writes about how they are engaging with politics in new ways, in new media. Tariff trouble | The Treasury may have underestimated the threat posed by Donald Trump's trade war after the IMF slashed its outlook for Australia's economic growth in 2025. In a report that could mean federal budget downgrades, it said real GDP growth will drop to 1.6%, from 2.1%. The IMF also warned the levies were putting the global financial system under pressure as stocks continued to slump and gold soared. Nuke no-show | Darren Chester, the Nationals MP for Victoria's Gippsland region earmarked for a nuclear reactor by Peter Dutton, has failed to meet key constituents and groups despite calling for 'conversation' on the issue. Housing 'con' | Australians would have to wait 70 years for affordable housing if property values follow the 'sustainable growth' path advocated by the two major parties. A leading economist calls the claims a 'con'. 'We've been blessed' | A scheme using portable two-bedroom apartments dropped into back yards is helping to ease homelessness in regional Victoria. Pope Francis | The funeral of Pope Francis will be held on Saturday (early evening, eastern Australian time) at St Peter's Square. A host of world leaders and royals including Keir Starmer, Emmanuel Macron, Donald Trump and the Prince of Wales have confirmed their attendance. Francis has been remembered fondly in his home country of Argentina and by Catholics in Gaza. Cardinals are also flocking to Rome for the conclave to choose a successor, but will it produce an anti-Francis pope? Kashmir terror | At least 28 tourists have been killed after suspected militants opened fire at a popular local tourist destination in Indian-administered Kashmir in the midst of a visit to the country by the US vice-president, JD Vance. Signal corps | The embattled US defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, has defended his most recent use of the Signal app to discuss sensitive military operations, blaming fired Pentagon officials for orchestrating leaks. Marco Rubio, the secretary of state, has announced a big shake-up of his department which will see missions closed and jobs cut. Follow events in Washington here. Putin position | The Kremlin says it is open to direct talks with Ukraine but has declined to back Kyiv's proposal to extend the Easter ceasefire. Gore attack | Former vice-president Al Gore compared the Trump administration with Nazi Germany, in scathing comments about the president's use of power. Larry David made a Trump-related Nazi gag and George Clooney hit back at criticism by the US president. Bearing witness in Gaza: an Australian doctor returns British-Australian doctor Mohammed Mustafa, who recently returned from working at the last fully functioning hospital in Gaza, speaks to Nour Haydar about what he witnessed, why he would not hesitate to go back into the centre of a humanitarian crisis and his message to the political leaders of Australia. Sorry your browser does not support audio - but you can download here and listen $ With the Indigenous vote potentially crucial in rural seats such as Lingiari, the electoral commission is stepping up efforts to increase access in remote areas starting yesterday in Pirlangimpi in the Tiwi Islands. But Ella Archibald-Binge finds many locals are disillusioned. 'Every time we vote for these people and nothing's really getting done,' one says. 'We're still suffering.' Postcards, Polaroids, and love letters to sweethearts and the natural world are among the forgotten treasures locked away for 25 years but now revealed again with the unlocking of millennium time capsules from the Sunshine Coast to the Northern Rivers and Victoria. Frankie Adkins hears about some unexpected memories from participants such as 95-year-old Don Culley, pictured. Sign up to Morning Mail Our Australian morning briefing breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion Tennis | World No 6 player Jack Draper has backed his friend Jannik Sinner to come back strongly from his three-month doping ban and said the Italian is 'a good human being' and not deserving of the hate directed towards him. Golf | Donald Trump might be unpopular with Hollywood celebrities but he received a boost overnight when golf's ruling body said it 'would love' to stage the Open again at Turnberry, a club he owns. Football | Manchester City take on Aston Villa this morning in another crunch game at the top of the Premier League. Peter Dutton accuses Labor of imposing an extra $22.5bn in power costs on households in what the Australian calls a fightback against nuclear scare stories. Planning changes mean Batemans Bay could be the 'next Gold Coast', the Sydney Morning Herald claims. A teenager has entered the record books by landing an 85kg tuna off the coast of Tasmania, the Mercury reports. Politics | Treasurer Jim Chalmers debates the economy with his opposition counterpart, Angus Taylor. If you would like to receive this Morning Mail update to your email inbox every weekday, sign up here, or finish your day with our Afternoon Update newsletter. You can follow the latest in US politics by signing up for This Week in Trumpland. And finally, here are the Guardian's crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow. Quick crossword Cryptic crossword
New York Times
19-03-2025
- Health
- New York Times
As Pope Francis Ails, Outlandish Rumors Run Wild
On Tuesday night, outside the Rome hospital where Pope Francis is being treated for a complex lung infection, the 8th King of Rome, a self-described 'trash influencer' embarked on a secret mission. He wore a wig, hid his pink-and-blue-dyed beard behind a surgical mask and then ventured inside the hospital to show his followers what he thought was the truth: that the pope was not actually there. The 8th King of Rome, a former funeral home worker whose real name is Simone Basile, is one of many Italians who have flooded social media, telegram channels and WhatsApp chats with unsubstantiated claims that Francis has in fact died and that the papal deep state is hiding the news. Roman Catholic cardinals have issued calls to 'free ourselves from much fake news' on the pope's health and blamed anti-Francis forces for the circulation of false information. Vatican officials said they were privately discussing the reports as the misinformation traveled from the internet to bar counters, locker rooms and the officials' own smartphones. 'They say we, the Roman Curia, keep Francis frozen so that we can do our scheming,' said Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi. The chatter seems impervious to the new, more forthcoming communication strategy of the Vatican. The church has broken from its long tradition of secrecy and obfuscation on matters relating to the health of popes by issuing daily, granular updates on Francis' condition. Some have included graphic detail, such as the pope inhaling on his own vomit. To online skeptics, that has not been enough. It does not seem to matter that the Vatican said that Francis had improved, and posted a photo and an audio recording of his voice. The church's reputation as a den of intrigue, coupled with an age in which nothing is taken at face value, has let conspiracy theories run wild. 'It's the first time, Cardinal Ravasi said, that they are saying the raw truth about the pope's condition.' Still, he added, 'It doesn't work.' He said that even reputable reporters were inquiring about unfounded rumors. One found him in St. Peter's square, the cardinal said, and asked if he had seen Francis being taken back to his residency to die. 'It's a toxic atmosphere,' Cardinal Ravasi said. Often the talk of machinations involving the Holy Father has come from unorthodox sources. 'He is really dead,' Fabrizio Corona, an Italian celebrity paparazzo involved with many of the country's sordid scandals, said onstage outside a shopping mall in Italy's northern Emilia-Romagna region. He offered no evidence for the claim, and he dismissed the material put out by the Vatican. 'The audio is fake,' he said. 'It's done with artificial intelligence.' It is unclear how many Italians have been taking the spurious claims seriously, but there's no doubt there are a lot of false reports. Cyabra, a social media intelligence company in Tel Aviv that monitors disinformation, said that of a sample of over 3,600 accounts posting about Pope Francis' health that it looked at, about a third were fake. 'It becomes worrying and incredibly alarming,' said Rafi Mendelsohn, a spokesman for the company. The death of a pope, Mr. Mendelsohn noted, is an emotional topic that can trigger strong reactions. 'It's really ripe as a topic, if your objective is to create chaos and create distrust and spread confusion,' he said. The Catholic Church, ideologically divided as it is between Francis' supporters and his critics on the right, is no stranger to machinations and conspiracy theories. In 2020, the American Cardinal Raymond Burke, a vocal critic of the pope, repeated a conspiracy theory that Covid vaccines were being used to implant microchips 'under the skin of every person, so that at any moment, he or she can be controlled.' And while social media has offered a megaphone to spread it, rumor has long run rampant inside and outside Vatican walls. A Vatican official said that he had come across a theory that Pope Paul VI, during his pontificate in the 1960s and 70s, had been shut in the basement of the Vatican and replaced by a look-alike. Now, obscure social media accounts claim that the photo of Francis the Vatican shared on Sunday was old, or generated by A.I. A former member of the European Parliament questioned Francis' supposed 'tan' in the photo. The Gemelli hospital, where Francis is being treated, has become a new TikTok destination. Mr. Basile has already gone three times, the videos of his visits gathering millions of views. Another influencer, who goes by Er Bombolino and has a tattoo of Francis' face on his forearm, also made a trip. 'I want to know if the pope is dead or alive!' he said before peering through a hospital window and asking, 'Is the pope dead?' Nicola Cerbino, a spokesman for the hospital, said that the influencers 'are going to places that have absolutely nothing to do' with Francis' ward. The pope's private apartment, he said, was 'impregnable.' But the 8th King of Rome was not buying it. 'I did not find him,' he said as he left the hospital on Tuesday. 'It's an unmistakable sign that he is no longer.'
