From the very beginning of Russia's war in Ukraine Pope Francis continuously offered to mediate to help bring about peace He appealed for an end to the war at almost every public appearance and his prayers for "martyred Ukraine" became a familiar refrain calls for dialogue - for key players to come together and find a way to put an end to the conflict such a dialogue took place between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky Photos showed the two Presidents seated face-to-face in St Peter's Basilica, deep in conversation A spokesperson for the White House called the discussion "very productive" said that it had been a "good meeting," adding that the pair had "discussed a lot one on one." "Hoping for results on everything we covered," President Zelensky wrote on social media Reliable and lasting peace that will prevent another war from breaking out." that ceasefire had appeared less and less likely The last time Presidents Trump and Zelensky met in person the discussion devolved into an acrimonious verbal brawl President Trump and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio threatened to "walk away" from efforts to broker a peace deal Russia carried out its deadliest air attack on Kyiv since the beginning of the year President Zelensky said it was a "very symbolic meeting If those results do manifest themselves - if the 'just peace' so often spoken of by the late Pope is achieved - it might just be Francis' first miracle Thank you for reading our article. You can keep up-to-date by subscribing to our daily newsletter. Just click here Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker who is recovering from severe bout of pneumonia also held short meeting with US vice-president JD Vance Pope Francis, who is recovering from a severe bout of pneumonia marked Easter Sunday by blessing thousands of people who had gathered for mass in St Peter’s Square and then embarking on a surprise popemobile tour around the piazza The 88-year-old pontiff, who nearly died during his recent five-week stay at Rome’s Gemelli hospital delegating the service instead to Cardinal Angelo Comastri the retired archpriest of St Peter’s Basilica Francis appeared on the loggia balcony over the basilica entrance his voice sounding stronger than it has for weeks which responded with chants of “Viva il Papa!” or Long live the Pope was delighted when 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 a scene that was common in the past but unthinkable just a few weeks ago when he was fighting for his life a miracle,” said Margarita Torres Hernández a pilgrim from Mexico who was in the square said he had been very touched to see the pope: “We’re very happy that we can see a pope in good shape,” he said Pope Francis is mobbed by well-wishers as tours St Peter’s Square in his popemobile. Photograph: Angelo Carconi/EPAFrancis has made only a handful of public appearances after leaving hospital and returning to the Vatican on 23 March He skipped the solemn services of Good Friday and Holy Saturday but had been expected to make an appearance on Sunday to celebrate the most important day in the Christian calendar In accordance with his doctors’ orders for two months of convalescence and respiratory therapy to improve his lung function He did, however, find time on Sunday to meet the US vice-president, JD Vance, who had had “an exchange of opinions” with the Vatican’s secretary of state over international conflicts and immigration when they met a day earlier Vance and Francis have previously disagreed very publicly over the Trump administration’s attitudes to migrants and migration According to a short statement from the Vatican Vance met Francis at his residence for a few moments on Sunday morning “to exchange Easter greetings” Francis reminded Roman Catholics that Easter was a day of joyful resurrection but lamented the “contempt … stirred up at times towards the vulnerable He also stressed the importance of using Easter to “revive our trust in others including those who are different than ourselves He went on to remind people of the suffering in Palestine the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Myanmar “I appeal to all those in positions of political responsibility in our world not to yield to the logic of fear but rather to use the resources available to help the needy to fight hunger and to encourage initiatives that promote development,” he said weapons that build the future instead of sowing seeds of death.” The team of doctors who treated the pope for pneumonia revealed last month that he had come so close to death that they had to choose whether “to let him go Francis suffered four breathing crises during his stay in hospital, the most critical episode being on 28 February, when he inhaled his vomit. “We were all aware that the situation had further worsened and there was a risk that he would not make it,” Sergio Alfieri, a general surgeon at Gemelli hospital, said in an interview with Corriere della Sera published at the end of March. “We had to choose whether to stop and let him go, or push forward and try with all the drugs and therapies possible, running the very high risk of damaging other organs. In the end, we took this path.” The Associated Press contributed to this report Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab , opens new tab Browse an unrivalled portfolio of real-time and historical market data and insights from worldwide sources and experts. , opens new tabScreen for heightened risk individual and entities globally to help uncover hidden risks in business relationships and human networks. © 2025 Reuters. All rights reserved Just a week after the unexpected appearance of the Holy Father in a wheelchair in St Peter’s Square—where 20,000 faithful had gathered for the Jubilee of the Sick—Pope Francis once again stepped outside Casa Santa Marta and spent some time in St a pope with whom Pope Francis has always expressed a deep spiritual bond the news of his presence in the Basilica quickly spread Among them were some restorers working behind protective screens on a couple of projects currently undertaken by the Fabbrica di San Pietro Children approached to receive his blessing and entire groups of pilgrims visiting Rome for the Jubilee crowded forward to catch a glimpse of him “The Pope passed through the Door of Prayer and finally to the tomb of St Pius X to pray,” explained Msgr but his gestures conveyed affection and closeness to those gathered around him Some even lined up for a chance to draw near to the Bishop of Rome whose public appearances have been limited during his convalescence Pope Francis wished a "Happy Palm Sunday and Happy Holy Week" to all those gathered for the Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion celebration in Saint Peter's Square The Pope came out into the Square from the Basilica for around ten minutes immediately following the final blessing of the Mass where he offered his good wishes and then visited in his wheelchair among the faithful.  Pope Francis' latest visit marked another public occasion among the people following his presence last Sunday at the Jubilee of the Sick and the World of Healthcare and his visits to Saint Peter's Basilica last week and visit to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major yesterday to pray before the Marian icon of the Salus Populi Romani Following his greetings to pilgrims in Saint Peter's Square the Pope returned inside the Basilica where he paused for moments of prayer before the tomb of the Apostle Peter and then that of Saint Pius X and the monument dedicated to Benedict XV Game Recap: Baseball | 5/2/2025 6:26:00 PM | Pete Janny Saint Peter's took a 1-0 lead in the first on an RBI double from Ashby Vining Manhattan tied the score in the bottom of the first on an RBI single from Hunter Sute that scored Lordier, who started off the inning with a walk which was followed by a single from Aidan Taclas The Jaspers struck back in the bottom of the second inning by scoring five runs on five hits Back-to-back RBI singles for Ryan Ash and Dylan Mayer in the second gave Manhattan the lead for good Mayer came on with a bunt single that advanced the runner to second and scored Sosa from third Lordier kept the Jaspers' rally going by scoring two more with his RBI double that saw him advance to third on a bad throw Another run came home to score when Taclas reached on a fielding error by Peacocks' first baseman Tyler Cotten An RBI groundout from Ash in the third inning extended the Jaspers lead to 7-1 The Peacocks answered with three runs in the fourth to cut the lead to 7-4 A solo shot for Aidan Taclas in the sixth grew Manhattan's lead to 8-4 The Jaspers added a pair of much-needed insurance runs in the seventh, scoring on an RBI double from Sosa which scored Andreaus Lewis from first and another on a free run home for Sosa after an errant throw to third on his steal attempt After Saint Peter's cut the deficit to 10-6 in the top of the eighth Manhattan scored two more in the bottom of the frame to go back up six The Jaspers cashed in on a sacrifice fly from Sute and an RBI double from Lewis Joey Craska closed out the ninth after giving up a grand slam to Tyler Smith Sosa's four hits marked the second four-hit game of his freshman season Taclas teed off for his eighth home run in the sixth The junior from California also has 31 runs-batted-in in his first season as a Jasper With a pair of hits on Friday, Trevor Hansen extended his hit streak to five games Ryan Lordier extended his hit streak to five and has recorded hits in nine of his last 10 games Ryan Ash's two RBIs were good for the first multi-RBI game of his career Braedon Romero earned the win by virtue of seven innings of four-run ball Manhattan snapped a three-game losing streak versus Saint Peter's The Jaspers lead the all-time series with the Peacocks by a 46-9 count Manhattan remains a game and a half out of the eighth and final playoff spot Manhattan Baseball will hold its annual senior day ceremony before the start of game two at 1pm on Saturday The pregame ceremony at Clover Stadium will begin at approximately 12:30 pm before the Jaspers (16-26 5-16 MAAC) take the field for the middle game of the series Follow Manhattan Baseball on Instagram (@jaspersbaseball) and X (@JaspersBaseball) Thanks for visiting The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here Game Recap: Softball | 4/29/2025 8:03:00 PM Thanks for visiting NY — A torrential downpour at Clover Stadium suspended game two between Manhattan and Saint Peter's with the Jaspers leading 4-3 with two outs in the ninth The resumption of game two will happen at 10:30 am at Naimoli Family Baseball Complex in Teaneck New Jersey followed by the start of game three approximately 25 minutes later NY — A torrential downpour suspended game two between Manhattan and Saint Peter's with the Jaspers leading 4-3 with two outs in the ninth Manhattan scored the go-ahead run in the seventh inning on a double-play groundout from Aidan Taclas. Working in relief in the ninth, Chris Fidanza was down 3-0 on Tyler Smith before play was suspended Before Saturday's game, Manhattan honored its four seniors—Ryan Ash, Andreaus Lewis, Ryan McLaughlin and Nico Mattera—on Senior Day Thanks for visiting Thanks for visiting Tens of thousands of mourners are making their way to Saint Peter's Basilica to pay their last respects to the late Pope Francis The solemn procession began Wednesday morning drawing approximately 20,000 people to witness the moving ceremony SPECIAL COVERAGE | The death of Pope Francis: Remembering his life and legacy Crowds are anticipated to swell in the coming days with estimates suggesting as many as 250,000 may attend the pope's funeral on Saturday morning The service is set to take place outdoors in St with large crowds expected along the adjacent roads Preparations are underway across Vatican City with large screens being erected to accommodate attendees with a noticeable increase in police presence visitors must pass through security checks ensuring the safety of those attending the historic farewell RELATED STORY | What's next for the future of the papacy? the atmosphere around Saint Peter's Basilica is charged with a poignant mix of remembrance and reverence as the world prepares to say goodbye to a beloved leader Early Saturday morning promises to bring a deeply felt tribute to Pope Francis from both the faithful and dignitaries alike Rider softball headed to Jersey City for a three game series starting April 18 The Broncs won all three games against the Saint Peter’s Peacocks giving them their fourth series sweep of the season Sophomore catcher Kendall Reda-Fehsal shined in this series going seven-for-nine on Friday with four extra base hits and 12 RBIs  “This past weekend’s sweep was a huge confidence booster for the team because we know that we’re starting to come into our own and that there are no setbacks that are too great for us to overcome.”  the Broncs struck first with sophomore catcher Abby Cruz and freshman middle infielder Aspen Wheeler hitting RBI singles to go up 2-0.  Reda-Fehsal drove them in to make it a 4-0 ballgame.  Saint  Peter’s got one back in the bottom of the first as Reda-Fehsal hit a two-run homer to make it a 6-1 game.  A bases clearing double by the Peacocks made it 6-4 after three.  The Broncs went on to score nine more runs including another two run shot by Reda-Fehsal.  Saint  Peter’s got two back in their last at bat but could not come back in the 15-6 win for Rider.  Reda-Fehsal hit a bases-clearing triple in the first inning and later added two runs on a double.  a sacrifice fly by senior catcher Kristyn Gardner scored a runner to make it 6-0.  An epic start gave senior pitcher Kathryn Schmierer the safety she needed to throw a complete shutout game in the Broncs’ 6-0 win.  as she was back on the mound for the third and final game of the series.  The Peacocks went up 4-0 after three due to two two-run home runs in the first and third inning but the Broncs quickly got one back.  Rider had back-to-back-to-back singles that scored a runner to make it 4-2 in the fifth.  Reda-Fehsal led off with a double and scored on freshman utility Noelle Flail’s RBI single narrowing the gap and pushing the Broncs down by just one.  Wheeler reached on an infield single in the seventh setting the stage for the hot bat of Reda-Fehsal.  Reda-Fehsal hit the game winning two-run homerun over the right-center field fence.  Peter’s went down 1-2-3 in the bottom of the inning losing 5-4 The Broncs will be back home for a doubleheader against Morgan State University on April 23 at 2 p.m Thanks for visiting Thanks for visiting Game Recap: Softball | 4/11/2025 5:27:00 PM NY – The Manhattan Jaspers softball team (8-21 5-6 MAAC) took down the Peacocks of Saint Peter's University (9-20 1-8 MAAC) by a score of 11-10 inside Gaelic Park on Friday afternoon Head Coach Bridget Hurlman: "The team grinded out the win today with big bats in less than ideal playing conditions Days like today you have to be the mentally tougher team to come out on top The team responded even after getting down early and everyone found a way to contribute to the win We need to remain focused and sharp as a group going into Sunday to finish the series strong." for a doubleheader against the Saint Peter's Peacocks at Gaelic Park The twin-bill will be able to be seen on GoJaspers.com Thanks for visiting RIVERDALE, N.Y. — Manhattan used the adrenaline from an intense 40 minutes of regulation to outlast Saint Peter's in overtime. Redshirt sophomore Devin Dinkins took control of the game from the free throw line hitting 6 of his 11 free throws in overtime to pull out the much-needed win Game Recap: Men's Basketball | 2/8/2025 6:39:00 PM | Pete Janny RIVERDALE, N.Y. — Manhattan used the adrenaline from an intense 40 minutes of regulation to outlast Saint Peter's in overtime 84-83. Redshirt sophomore Devin Dinkins took control of the game from the free throw line A three from Will Sydnor at the 12:56 mark of the first half tied the score at 11 Manhattan responded to a quick 5-0 run from Saint Peter's with another three from Sydnor that cut the deficit to two with 10:54 left Saint Peter's grinded out the next few possessions to open up a 27-19 lead following a pair of free throws from Adetokunbo Bakare Manhattan leaned on multiple scorers to whittle the deficit. A three from Shaquil Bender and then a three-point play by Will Sydnor brought the Jaspers to within two at 27-25 Moments later, a dunk by Marko Ljubicic on a nice feed from Sydnor cut Saint Peter's lead to one at 28-27 Ljubicic was whistled for a technical foul for hanging on the rim too long Saint Peter's took advantage with a free throw from Bakare and then a three ball from him stretched the Peacocks lead back to 5 with 3:07 left Saint Peter's went into halftime ahead 40-35 Back-to-back threes from Bender and Sydnor gave Manhattan a 43-42 lead with 17:33 left in the second half A 7-0 run culminating in a lay-up from Mouhamed Sow pushed the Peacocks lead to 7 with 11:24 left rallied Manhattan back to within 2 with under 10 minutes left With Saint Peter's clinging to their lead, Masiah Gilyard converted his jump shot and massive two-handed slam to tie the score at 63 With the game hanging in the balance less than two minutes left exchanged baskets to set up an exciting final minute Manhattan's defense came up big yet again by forcing a turnover by Marcus Randolph on the final possession of regulation With Manhattan trailing by four in overtime spurring the Jaspers' final comeback during which Dinkins took over down the stretch Four free throws sandwiched around a three-pointer gave Dinkins seven points in a span of 1:24 drawing the Jaspers even with the Peacocks with 1:05 left After grabbing an offensive rebound with just over two seconds left Gilyard was fouled by Zaakir Williamson to earn a trip to the line Gilyard went 1 for 2 which was enough to seal the win The overtime date with Saint Peter's was the Jaspers' fourth overtime battle of the season Manhattan moves to 2-2 (.500) in games decided in overtime The Jaspers have swept the season series versus the Peacocks by a total of four points The season sweep over the Peacocks marks the first time since the 2018-19 season that Manhattan beat Saint Peter's in both meetings Dinkins' 26 points tied a career high that he set at Siena on January 3 Dinkins went a perfect 11-11 from the line on Saturday afternoon the redshirt sophomore guard is shooting 86.1% (93-108) from the charity stripe Bender and Gilyard have started in all 21 games for the Jaspers this season Manhattan is one of four teams in the country (Marquette Saint Mary's) that has deployed the same starting line-up in every game this season Ljubicic's 7 points marked a career high for the freshman from Croatia He also doubled his career high in minutes played by logging 14 vs Saint Peter's was their most made triples in a game since connecting on 13 at Wagner back in December Manhattan improved to 2-0 in games against a repeat opponent the Jaspers concluded their season series with Mount St Mary's by knocking off the Mountaineers in Emmitsburg by a final score of 74-64 Gallagher on the clutch plays late: "I really thought Masiah made huge two plays (in overtime) with three from the corner and then grabbing the offensive rebound before getting fouled Gallagher after improving to 6-6 in MAAC play: "We're peaking at the right time." Manhattan will get another try at Merrimack (14-10 11-2 MAAC) when it welcomes the Warriors to Draddy for a 7 P.M The Jaspers took a 69-62 loss in North Andover on January 12 Follow Manhattan Basketball on X @JaspersMBB and on Instagram @jaspers.mbb Thanks for visiting Game Recap: Men's Basketball | 12/7/2024 12:44:00 AM | Pete Janny snapping Manhattan's five-game losing streak in Jersey City Saint Peter's jumped out to an 8-0 lead following a three-pointer from Bryce Eaton at the 17:57 mark of the first half Manhattan stopped its scoring drought when Will Sydnor came up with a steal and found Jaden Winston for an easy fast-break lay-up that cut the deficit to 8-2 Manhattan did a good job of hacking away at the Saint Peter's lead despite the Peacocks' shooting success.The Jaspers had answers for four more three-pointers from Saint Peter's. Down 20-15 following a three from Marcus Randolph, Will Sydnor delivered five straight points on a two-handed dunk and a three-pointer and Manhattan took a 22-20 lead thanks to the quick 7-0 run The Jaspers' resurgence included 14 consecutive points from Sydnor and Roxburgh The duo got into a shootout with Saint Peter's sophomore guard Armoni Zeigler who attacked the hoop with purpose in the first half and whose jumper at the 3:52 mark extended the Saint Peter's lead to 33-27 Saint Peter's eighth three-pointer of the first half came from Adetokunbo Bakare at 1:31 before Masiah Gilyard closed the half with a lay-up to send the Jaspers' into the locker room with a manageable three-point deficit at 38-35 Manhattan showed an even greater pep in its step which was highlighted by a coast to coast tomahawk dunk for Sydnor that elicited a roar from the crowd and cut the Jaspers deficit back to two at the 15:46 mark of the second half The Peacocks would grow their lead back up to seven with help from the charity stripe the pair of freshmen came up huge with eight straight points—three from the former and five from the latter—to put Manhattan ahead 51-50 with 10:54 left Back to back baskets from Marcus Randolph and Jaquel Morris tilted the advantage back to the Peacocks by three with 7:51 left Manhattan's defense locked in while the offense continued to ride the hot hand of Roxburgh He was set up for another three on an assist from Winston before adding another lay-up that regained a lead for Manhattan at 59-57 The Jaspers wouldn't allow another Saint Peter's basket until a lay-up from Eaton with 14 seconds left — a span of 7:37 in game clock Eaton's drive cut the Jaspers lead to three, and he then did his part to cut the home team's deficit to one with a long three-pointer with six seconds left. However, Manhattan refused to miss from the line and used a pair of free throws from Gilyard and Shaquil Bender in the final five seconds to ice the game The Jaspers hit a total of nine free throws in the closing minute to help clinch the win With his 16 points, Will Sydnor now has five double-digit scoring games in eight tries His special first half on Friday included 11 points on 5-7 shooting all while the Jaspers had to fend off hot shooting from the Peacocks which included a putback dunk in the first half and then the one-handed throwdown in the opening minutes of the second half Roxburgh's 17 points are a career high for the Aussie Both of his personal 5-0 runs in the second half established leads for Manhattan — first at 51-50 with 10:54 left and then at 59-57 with 7:13 left on the clock The 7:37 of game clock without allowing a made field goal was the longest goal line stand of the season for the Jaspers defense The Manhattan defense had two other stretches this season exceed five minutes without an opponent field goal (5:11 in the second half at FDU and 5:09 in the first half at Maryland) Head coach John Gallagher on tightening up the defense tonight at Saint Peter's: "All week long we went back to the tape and put x's on the court and lines for how we want to play… It was a much better defensive performance and I thought we were really gritty diving for loose balls…That's the Manhattan I'm familiar with in practice." Gallagher on the rapid growth of his young team: "When we built this roster we set out to beat the top teams in the league…Championship teams like Saint Peter's…I have great respect for coach (Bashir Mason)...So for us to get this win shows a lot about where we're headed but also shows that in December we're tough enough to win games like this 'you can't let the wins get to your head and the losses get to your heart.'" Manhattan will stay in MAAC play when it hosts the Marist Red Foxes (5-2 The action will be streamed live on ESPN+ from Draddy Gym Purchase your tickets today! Thanks for visiting Peter’s Square is transformed into a small piece of the Netherlands as flowers from all parts of the country color the steps of the smallest nation in the world It all started in 1985 with the beatification of a Dutch priest Dutch florists decorated the Square in honor of their countrymen they were invited to decorate the Square for Easter One man has been involved from the beginning in this tradition which has now become a sense of national pride Charles Lansdorp recalls that very first Easter where Pope St John Paul II thanked the Dutch people for their flowers in their native language everybody knows what you’re talking about.” Lansdorp says this collaboration between the Vatican and Dutch florists “is the longest project” in the flower industry in the Netherlands this collaboration “brings spring to Rome” as thousands of flowers line the area in front of St In order to prepare the flowers and decorations for Easter the Vatican gardeners and Dutch florists work together Volunteers start working on Holy Thursday collecting the world watches as the floral arrangements come together Some 10,000 flowers from various parts of the countries are driven from the Netherlands to Vatican City over the course of two days Peter’s Basilica are transformed as “it is almost like we bring spring to Rome.” “We will have the colors of the logo of the pilgrims for the Holy Year,” Dr it is no wonder that the Easter flowers are such a source of pride for the Netherlands He says this activity has perhaps the biggest visibility for the Dutch industry worldwide “It’s unique because we have the cut flowers “It is really the Netherlands presenting itself as a flower industry.” Game Recap: Men's Basketball | 3/2/2025 6:00:00 PM | Ryan Brodsky Thanks for visiting 59vs51Saint Peter's Faye and Elmore Combine for 33 as Pitt Downs Saint Peter's, 59-5112/8/2024 4:03:00 PM | Women's Basketball known as a "general congregation" when they could set the date for the conclave.Reporting by Joshua McElwee; additional reporting Veronica Altimari and Leonardo Benassatto; Editing by Crispian Balmer and Giles Elgood (OSV News) — U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met at the Vatican April 26 ahead of the funeral Mass for Pope Francis.  which would allow Russia to control Ukrainian territory it seized by warfare But a counterproposal from Ukrainian officials would in part include security guarantees and would seek to use frozen Russian assets to rebuild damage caused by Russia’s invasion and attacks “Good meeting,” Zelenskyy wrote in a post on the social media platform X including a photo of himself and Trump in discussion in the basilica Hoping for results on everything we covered Reliable and lasting peace that will prevent another war from breaking out Very symbolic meeting that has potential to become historic A spokesperson for the White House called the meeting “productive.” “Nothing like some tough diplomacy in one of the most beautiful places in the world,” Trump’s national security adviser Mike Waltz wrote on X In a lengthy post on his social media platform Truth Social Trump criticized media coverage of his negotiations and suggested that arguments that Ukraine “should get back territory,” are “ridiculous requests.” But Trump also appeared to change his tone on Russian President Vladimir Putin there was no reason for Putin to be shooting missiles into civilian areas “It makes me think that maybe he doesn’t want to stop the war through ‘Banking’ or ‘Secondary Sanctions?’ Too many people are dying!!!” Trump wrote Russia launched a missile and drone attack on Kyiv just days prior to the Trump-Zelenskyy meeting at St killing at least 12 people and wounding over 70 in the biggest attack on Ukraine’s capital this year Russia’s aerial assault began at 1 a.m Trump and Zelenskyy were among the world leaders who attended the papal funeral Other attendees included former President Joe Biden Complex seating arrangements at the funeral sought to avoid placing traditional enemies and nations at war near each other in his capacity as Ukraine’s head of state was seated ahead of Russia’s representative Bipartisan groups from both the U.S House and Senate also represented their respective chambers at the funeral one of the senators who attended the funeral “We must hold on to the message of Pope Francis of love and respect for one another — it’s needed now more than ever.” Peter’s Square and said the late pontiff “dedicated his life to the church and Christ’s mission.” After a funeral Mass and procession April 26, Pope Francis’ mortal remains were taken to St. Mary Major for burial at that ancient basilica Kate Scanlon is a national reporter for OSV News covering Washington Saint Peter's University is the first institution in New Jersey to offer full degree programs taught in Spanish launching in August 2025 with an Associate of Science in Business Management and a Master of Business Administration in business analytics 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Saint Peter's University is proud to announce it is the first college or university in New Jersey to offer full degree programs taught in Spanish students will have the option to enroll in the Associate of Science in Business Management and the Master of Business Administration with a concentration in business analytics Saint Peter's University recently celebrated its 25th anniversary as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) in 2024 The University was the first college or university to attain HSI status in New Jersey and in the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities 41 percent of full-time undergraduates at Saint Peter's are Hispanic.     "Our Jesuit Catholic mission calls us to serve students who seek opportunities and a gateway to better This initiative reflects our unwavering commitment to innovation and to meeting the evolving needs of both our current and prospective students." "Our Jesuit Catholic mission calls us to serve students who seek opportunities and a gateway to better purpose-driven lives," said Hubert Benitez "This initiative reflects our unwavering commitment to innovation and to meeting the evolving needs of both our current and prospective students; some of which have expressed a desire to pursue a degree that is offered in their native language Through its Spanish-language degree offerings Saint Peter's responds to the needs of a vital segment of its community" will teach one of the courses offered in Spanish during the fall semester The Associate of Science in Business Management can be completed in as little as two years of full-time study and will provide a strong liberal arts foundation critical thinking skills and leadership development The Master of Business Administration is offered 100 percent online and the STEM-designated business analytics concentration equips students with in-demand data analytics and business strategy skills with plans to expand bilingual and dual-language degree options at the graduate and undergraduate levels incorporating instruction in Spanish or a combination of Spanish and English approximately 33.3 percent of residents in the state speak a language other than English at home with Spanish being the most common non-English language spoken at home by about 17.3 percent but also among employers who value a diverse workforce," said Jeffrey Gant "These programs reflect our commitment to ensuring that language is not a barrier students should visit saintpeters.edu/spanish-language-degrees Angeline Boyer, Saint Peter's University, (201) 761-6238, [email protected], www.saintpeters.edu Do not sell or share my personal information: By Ben Yeargin Leedham: 'It’s inch-by-inch … one little inch defensive positions and getting to the ball all in the hopes of forcing a turnover or a miss sometimes it’s in a full-out man defense.  Get unlimited access to women’s basketball coverage and help support our hardworking staff of writers Join today The general hope is that the Peacocks’ defense will earn them the wins and they tried to employ this tactic against Fairfield their defense against the Stags five-out offense was as ineffective as a band aid is to a bullet wound They tried to adjust their defensive looks between the 2-3 zone and a man-defense Fairfield beat Saint Peter’s everywhere and in nearly every positive statistic while shooting 56.9% as a team and outscoring their opponents 44-10 in the paint Saint Peter’s defense, which currently sits fourth in the league, is what’s keeping its last-in-the-league offense in playoff contention. The Peacocks are tied for tenth in the MAAC standings with Manhattan at 5-8 right at the cut line for the MAAC Tournament every basket after a stop adds up to a potential postseason berth — or not — for Saint Peter’s “It’s like what Al Pacino says in ‘Any Given Sunday,’” Saint Peter’s head coach Jennifer Leedham told The Next postgame With Niagara and Sacred Heart entrenched in the bottom the Peacocks are in a collection of five teams — Manhattan Canisius and Merrimack the other four — fighting for four precious sports in the MAAC Tournament down more than 20 points and out of the game late in the fourth quarter Thursday night Leedham and her Saint Peter’s squad kept at it even if the Peacocks are not playing well all 40 or even if they have their second unit out on the court “The consistencies of putting 40 minutes together is what the difference [between making the tournament and not] is for us,” Leedham said/ The bench was still watching, still shouting “D up!” Associate head coach David Jollon still shouted commands like “get back!” to his defensive unit. And the Peacocks’ bench exploded as if they tied the game when sophomore guard Lara Aguzzi scored her first points of the season Saint Peter’s wasn’t withdrawn or sullen in the final minutes, like one would expect from a team that’s losing by more than 20. The Peacocks aren’t strangers to losses, especially on the road. They sit 7-15 on the season and 1-12 on the road. Saint Peter’s is the second-worst road team in the MAAC (Niagara is 0-13) and four of its next seven games are on the road Those 15 losses each sting in a different way sting differently than a loss at Quinnipiac where the Peacocks led the No or a home loss to Rider where they dropped a fourth-quarter lead.  Saint Peter’s lost a game where it shot 20.8% from the field (at Marist) and a game where it shot 50% (at Fordham).  but there are some common themes among each of them; one Janneh is paired brilliantly with junior guard Louella Allana whose pass-first mentality has pushed her into 13th in NCAA Division I with 5.8 assists per game Allana’s leadership is crucial to the Peacocks success Allana and the rest of Saint Peter’s are exhausted together All they want to do is grab their food packaged in brown paper bags with their names on it and get on the bus back to Jersey City black sweatpants and a Saint Peter’s basketball shirt underneath the jacket they slowly make their way down the narrow hallway from the visitors’ locker room to the bus They have about a two-hour ride waiting for them and Leedham and the Peacocks know that all too well Leedham also knows that Saint Peter’s can’t lose much between now and the MAAC Tournament The Peacocks’ bid to Atlantic City hinges on winning most of these next seven games.  The Next: A basketball newsroom brought to you by The IX diverse staff and dedicated to breaking news historical deep dives and projections about the game we love You must be logged in to post a comment Contact Us About Us Privacy Policy We have upgraded our membership system.Please check your mailbox for a secure link to sign in and set up a new password If you have any question or need help, please email editors@thenexthoops.org Thanks for visiting ! 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John’s Kicks off 50th Anniversary Season against Saint Peter’s on Monday11/3/2024 1:33:00 PM | Women's Basketball Red Storm will tip-off 2024-25 campaign at 2 p.m Thanks for visiting Thanks for visiting Peter’s Basilica ahead of his funeral on Saturday in St The basilica was bathed in a hushed silence as mourners from across the globe made a slow shuffling procession up the main aisle to pay their last respects to Francis The Vatican said more than 90,000 people had paid their respects by Thursday evening The basilica closed for just a short time Thursday morning and will stay open Thursday night as long as there are mourners and after two hours still had not reached the basilica “I don’t even care how much time I wait here It’s just the opportunity to (show) how I admired Francisco in his life,’' said Fernandez whose admiration for the pope grew during his 2016 visit to Mexico flew on the spur of the moment from Dublin just to pay his respects “I think it’s just really important to be here to show our respect to the Holy Father,’' he said We just felt it was really important to be here.” Among the first-day mourners was a church group of 14-year-olds from near Milan who arrived for the now-suspended canonization of the first millennial saint as well as a woman who prayed to the pope for a successful operation and an Italian family who brought their small children to see the pope’s body “We came because we didn’t bring them when he was alive so we thought we would bring them for a final farewell,’’ said Rosa Scorpati who was exiting the basilica Wednesday with her three children in strollers but I don’t think they really understood because they haven’t yet had to deal with death.” Out of devotion to the pope and his message of inclusion the grieving faithful joined the procession of mourners that wended from St Peter’s Square through the basilica’s Holy Door with the repentant among them winning an indulgence a form of atonement granted during the Jubilee Holy Year the line extended down the basilica’s central aisle to the pope’s simple wooden casket Italian authorities have tightened security around the Vatican adding drones to foot and horse patrols to their controls along the Tiber River and Via della Conciliazione to secure the area for mourners and foreign delegation expected for the funeral The Vatican said 130 delegations are confirmed including 50 heads of state and 10 reigning sovereigns Among those confirming their attendance are U.S President Donald Trump with the First Lady Melania Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told a news conference on Thursday that “I believe that the ‘security machine’ is ready,’' but will remain flexible and ”ready to reshape and above all transmit a sense of serenity.’' with four Swiss Guards standing at attention many lifted their smartphones to snap a photo One nun accompanying an elderly woman with a cane walked away sobbing The mood was more one of gratitude for a pope who had “I am very devoted to the pope,’' said Ivenes Bianco ”He was important to me because he brought many people together by encouraging coexistence.’' She cited Francis’ acceptance of the gay community and his insistence on helping the poor Humbeline Coroy came to Rome from Perpignan for the planned canonization Sunday of 15-year-old Carlo Acutis which was suspended after the pope’s death enjoying exchanges with Japanese mourners they met as they waited under the sun in St and I traveled to Madagascar to work with poor people Cardinals continued to arrive in Rome for Saturday’s funeral During a morning session “the cardinals started a conversation on the church and the world,’' the details of which remain private cardinals under 80 years of age will meet in a conclave to choose a new pope after Spanish Cardinal Antonio Cañizares said he would not make it to Rome for health reasons confirmed his participation after getting cleared by doctors and one feels that,’' said French Cardinal Jean-Paul Vesco “For the moment I do not believe the cardinals are saying ‘who will be the next?’ For the moment we are here completely for Francis.” Franceso Sportelli and Isaia Montelione in Vatican City and AP writer Jovana Gec in Belgrade The Ignatian Solidarity Network (ISN) is a national social justice network inspired by the spirituality of St ISN was founded in 2004 and is a lay-led 501(c)3 organization working in partnership with Jesuit universities along with many other Catholic institutions and social justice partners Thanks for visiting Pope Francis officially opened the Holy Year 2025 by crossing the threshold of the Holy Door at St followed by a group of children with their parents and by faithful representing 27 nations Pope Francis pushes open the Holy Door of St VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- In the quiet of Christmas Eve launching what he called a "Jubilee of Hope." After the reading of a brief passage from the Gospel of John in which Jesus describes himself as "the door," Pope Francis briefly left the atrium of the basilica But when the cardinals in the front row sat down He was pushed in his wheelchair up the ramp to the Holy Door he raised himself from the chair to knock five times which had been framed in a garland of green pine branches decorated with red roses and gold pinecones Peter's Basilica has been a fixture of the Catholic Church's celebration of jubilee years since the Holy Year 1450 Pope Francis chose "Pilgrims of Hope" as the theme for the Holy Year 2025 The rite of opening the decorated bronze door began inside the basilica with the reading in different languages of biblical passages prophesying the birth of the savior "who brings his kingdom of peace into our world," as the lector explained to emphasize how the birth of Jesus "proclaims the dawn of hope in our world," the Gospel of St Matthew's account of the birth of Jesus was proclaimed "Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord." "The steps we now take are the steps of the whole church a pilgrim in the world and a witness of peace," the pope told the assembled cardinals ecumenical guests and lay faithful in the atrium of the basilica enlightened by his word and renewed by his grace," the pope continued "may we cross the threshold of this holy temple and so enter into a season of mercy and forgiveness in which every man and woman may encounter and embrace the path of hope Echoing the biblical jubilee themes of reconciliation and forgiveness Pope Francis prayed that the Holy Spirit would soften hardened hearts so that "enemies may speak to each other again adversaries may join hands and people seek to meet together." "Grant that the church may bear faithful witness to your love and may shine forth as a vital sign of the blessed hope of your kingdom," he prayed.  to the right of the basilica's center doors a symbolic reminder of the barrier of sin between people and God The 16 panels on the bronze doors illustrate key moments in salvation history Christ presented as the shepherd rescuing a lost sheep the crucifixion and the risen Jesus appearing to the disciples crossed the threshold after the pope and the altar servers Then 54 people from 27 nations -- including the United States and Canada Many of them wore the traditional dress of their nations or ethnic groups Neither the Vatican press office nor the Jubilee press office released the names of the pilgrims or explained how they were chosen Also among the first to cross the threshold were representatives of other Christian churches The Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity said in an explanatory note "Entering through the Holy Door expresses the willingness to follow and be guided by the only begotten Son of God." Especially during the year that will see the celebration of the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea which solemnly defined the basics of Christian faith the ritual "is a manifestation of the faith that all Christians share in Jesus the ecumenical guests' participation "must not be interpreted as an attempt to associate them with elements of the jubilee which are not in line with the practices of their respective communities." the "selling" of indulgences helped spark the Protestant Reformation; the practice was later banned by the Council of Trent The Catholic Church believes that Christ and the saints have accumulated a treasure of merits which other believers -- who are prayerful and repentant -- can draw upon to reduce or erase the punishment they are due because of sins they have committed receiving Communion and offering prayers to receive an indulgence is a key part of the Holy Year.  Catholic News Service has been providing complete in-depth coverage of the popes and the Vatican for more than 70 years faithful and informed connection to the Holy See Cardinal Gugerotti urged electors to draw on Eastern Christian humility and let the Spirit A Rome tailor is hoping the new pope will appear on the balcony of St Peter's Basilica wearing a cassock he sewed himself Cardinal Fernández said contempt for the poor can be masked in refined language and warns against false meritocracy that distorts.. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB’s) mission is to encounter the mercy of Christ and to accompany His people with joy ©2025 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Made possible by funding from  WKRN News 2 Pope Francis' body has been transferred to Saint Peter's Basilica Pope Francis' body has been transferred to Saint Peter's Basilica Fairview is both embracing growth and working to maintain its small-town feel The CoolSprings Galleria has been an important part of Williamson County for years New commercial properties could soon be on the way to Spring Hill A convicted felon is back behind bars after being accused in a South Nashville burglary The Clarksville Police Department announced that authorities were still searching for a suspect The governor's office said that Tennessee has a long track record of standing up to enforce the country's borders Many Nashville families have more questions than answers following an ICE operation in Music City "Nashville's wine country" sits about twenty minutes outside of Franklin Money could be flowing to fix major flood problems in Montgomery County Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle have responded to the activity in South Nashville Tennessee state troopers worked with federal agents in South Nashville A new police department is officially opening its doors in Spring Hill The Solemn Requiem Mass for Pope Francis will draw the attention of the entire world recalling memories of a similar solemn moment twenty years ago with the funeral Mass of Pope John Paul II this funeral will mark a unique occasion for today's media as it will mark the first time the transfer of a Pope's mortal remains from the Vatican to another location for burial will be broadcast live globally when Vatican Radio - Vatican News will broadcast live the full Requiem Mass followed by the procession accompanying the Pope's coffin from St To ensure the widest possible audience can follow the events the Dicastery for Communication (our parent organization) will provide live radio and television commentary in 15 languages: English along with four sign languages: American Sign Language (ASL) provided by the Vatican Television Center – Vatican Media will include aerial and ground video of both St Peter’s Square and the entire route to the Basilica of St including commentary and in-depth analysis) will be offered in 56 languages—the same used across the platforms of Vatican News Here are the details on how to follow the 26 April broadcast: - Vatican News YouTube channels (English channel - Original sound only channel) - Vatican Radio web radio in 11 languages (Radio Vatican App - Google Play, Radio Vaticana App - iTunes) - Shortwave broadcasts in English - Live coverage on Facebook in Italian - Instagram live in Italian Three Italian-language commentary positions will be active: two in St Peter’s Square and one outside the Basilica of St Live coverage begins at around 8:10 AM from the Charlamagne Wing coverage will switch to the main studio for the Requiem Mass Mary Major broadcasting position will also share live coverage of the prayers and the participation of the faithful - 103.8 FM in the city of Rome   - 105 FM for Rome and surrounding areas   - DAB+ digital radio (info at [www.digitalradio.it](http://www.digitalradio.it))   - TV channel 733 in the Rome area   Thanks for visiting Thanks for visiting announced a new strategic plan to open and operate a specialty pharmacy the specialty pharmacy will ensure Saint Peter's patients have equitable access to vital specialty medications and the ongoing care and support needed to manage complex medical conditions such as cancer and hepatitis C the partnership will improve patient access to new medications currently limited by manufacturers or payors adherence and improve overall clinical outcomes for patients on specialty medication therapies certified pharmacists and skilled specialty pharmacy patient liaisons will be embedded directly into the care teams in several of Saint Peter's outpatient practices infectious disease and pediatric neurology This team will work to proactively identify patients assess barriers that may prevent care and streamline medication delivery to the patient Specialty pharmacies provide a higher level of patient support including providing medications not typically available at retail pharmacies specialty pharmacy staff have more expertise in these medications and provide enhanced personalized patient education and consistent communication with patient's caregivers The program will also give valuable administrative support to the hospital's providers and clinical care teams helping them to secure prior authorizations for prescriptions "Specialty pharmacies play a vital role in healthcare today," said Garrick Stoldt chief financial officer at Saint Peter's Healthcare System parent company of Saint Peter's University Hospital "Providing life-saving medications can be complex due to a variety of factors from the makeup of the drug itself to how it's administered as well as patient access which may be restricted by the manufacturer Our partnership with Clearway Health offers dual benefits: supporting the patients who trust us with their care while also strengthening our organization's financial performance and stability." "Bringing specialty pharmacy services to our organization has been my vision for more than five years," said Fatimah Muhammed director of 340B pharmaceutical services and drug replacement at Saint Peter's University Hospital "Providing these services for our patients care teams and our community will create a legacy here at Saint Peter's further demonstrating our commitment to integrated care that optimizes patient outcomes and enhances the patient experience." "Saint Peter's has long been a unique provider of personalized care to their community We are honored to be chosen as their partner to overcome barriers decrease the cost of medications and ensure that patients have timely access to the medications they need we will transform specialty pharmacy and improve the health of their patients and communities," said Allison Arant senior vice president of client development and marketing at Clearway Health About Saint Peter's Healthcare SystemSaint Peter's Healthcare System is the parent company of Saint Peter's University Hospital a 478-bed acute-care teaching hospital sponsored by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Metuchen which received its sixth consecutive designation as a Magnet® hospital for nursing excellence by the American Nurses Credentialing Center in 2020 is also a state-designated children's hospital and a regional perinatal center Saint Peter's is the recipient of the Beacon Award for Excellence from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses for the adult intensive care unit cardiac progressive care unit and the pediatric intensive care unit SOURCE Clearway Health; Saint Peter’s Healthcare System The College of Cardinals announced Monday, April 28, that the conclave to elect Pope Francis’ successor will begin on May 7 as the Church enters the final preparatory phase for choosing its 267th pope Follow here for live updates of the latest news and information on the papal transition: speculation grows about who will succeed Pope Francis as the next pope One potential candidate is Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa A group of young Christians from Palestine is in Rome originally for the canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis but instead found themselves present for the pope’s funeral advocating for Pizzaballa’s election to the papacy EWTN Vatican journalist Valentina Di Donato reports from Rome: Cardinal Leonardo Sandri on Wednesday recalled one of the traditional titles for the pope the “servant of the servants of God,” and emphasized the papal roles of service and confirming Catholics in the faith the cardinal proto deacon will announce to the Church and the world the “‘gaudium magnum’ (‘great joy’) of having a new pope.” Read more. In a pastoral letter published by the Archdiocese of Singapore Cardinal William Goh called on the faithful to pray for the cardinals involved in electing the successor to St Read more of what he had to say. The qualities of a pope go far beyond merely being a kind of CEO of the Catholic Church he should possess a strong faith and humility be willing to adhere to the Church’s teachings and apostolic tradition and personify the pope’s ancient title as “servus servorum Dei,” the servant of the servants of God But he should also possess other exceptional qualities, according to Edward Pentin at the National Catholic Register who chaired the international commission investigating the authenticity of Medjugorje has offered four criteria for the conclave that will elect Pope Francis’ successor In an article titled “Prayer for the Church of the Near Future,” published on the blog “Settimo Cielo” by veteran Italian Vatican expert Sandro Magister Ruini — who at age 94 is too old to vote in the upcoming conclave — proposes four aspects of the life of the Church he would like to see as the Church moves forward in the next pontificate Read what he has to say here. The College of Cardinals notes that tomorrow there will be no general congregation — the daily meeting leading up to the start of the conclave on May 7 The next congregation is scheduled for Friday no general congregation is planned for Sunday When they enter the Sistine Chapel to elect the successor to Peter’s throne the European cardinals will carry on their shoulders a heavy responsibility for the fate of their continent which is facing challenges unprecedented since the Church of the first centuries At a time when some postulate that Europe might soon become irrelevant because of the increasing prominence of the Global South — where the Church is growing fastest — it remains as its institutional and theological center of gravity Read more of this analysis at the National Catholic Register. Cardinals from around the world have made their way to the Vatican to participate in the conclave There are 14 cardinals representing the United States and Canada  — 10 from the United States and four from Canada Here is a complete list of the U.S. and Canada cardinals. The archdioceses of Spanish Cardinal Antonio Cañizares and Kenyan Cardinal John Njue on Wednesday both confirm the two prelates will not participate in the upcoming papal conclave to elect the successor to Pope Francis.  The Archdiocese of Valencia told ACI Prensa that Cañizares “will not travel to Rome for health reasons.” that due to health reasons the African prelate will not travel to Rome to elect the Church’s next supreme pontiff Read more here. The College of Cardinals on Wednesday called on Catholics around the world to pray for them as they prepare to enter the conclave next week to elect the next pope acknowledging the “enormity of the task ahead” in choosing the next successor of Peter.  The appeal came as the cardinals concluded their seventh general congregation — the daily meetings leading up to the start of the conclave on May 7.  Read more here. At the 7th General Congregation of Cardinals in the Vatican, Pope Francis' dispensation of the 120-cardinal Conclave voting limit was noted, and expression of appreciation made for Cardinal Becciu’s voluntary withdrawal from the conclave. pic.twitter.com/gPoORJ0XPl Another selfie from the cardinals, this time Japanese Isao Kikuchi. He posted it yesterday, saying that the cardinals were on their way to St. Mary Major. pic.twitter.com/fZ6LNh2tXb that the cardinals had been considering the necessary qualities for the next successor of Peter “Personal holiness is very important for the next pope,” Cardinal John Ribat said “He must be someone open and controlling — not in a bad way Read the whole story at the National Catholic Register. expects the upcoming papal conclave to last longer than the relatively brief gathering that elected Pope Francis in 2013 the German prelate revealed Tuesday in Rome but I believe everything is possible,” Woelki told EWTN Program Director Martin Rothweiler and CNA Deutsch Rome correspondent Rudolf Gehrig “I expect it won’t go as quickly as the last conclave The 2013 conclave that elected Pope Francis lasted just two days making it one of the shortest in modern history Read the full story here. As the College of Cardinals prepares for the upcoming conclave its members are diligently preparing and praying for the election of the next pope the National Catholic Register’s senior contributor join “EWTN News Nightly” from Rome to discuss how many cardinals will participate in the upcoming conclave whether all of them can vote for the next pontiff The way to evangelization is “unreserved openness” to others, Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, OFM Conv, said on the fourth day of the Novendiales the Church’s nine days of mourning for Pope Francis celebrated the Mass for the repose of Pope Francis’ soul in the presence of the cardinals and the chapters of the four papal basilicas which are groups of clergy entrusted with ensuring the liturgical and sacramental care of the basilicas Read the full text of the homily here. On the Feast of Saint Catherine of Siena, Cardinal Mauro Gambetti presided over the fourth Novemdiales Mass for Pope Francis' repose at St. Peter's Basilica, reminding the faithful that they should see God in everyone as the late Pope did. pic.twitter.com/OtsgAhrw7p The Pontifical Mission Societies USA is launching a prayer campaign to pray for the cardinals involved in the upcoming conclave as they prepare to elect the next pope.  the national director of the Pontifical Mission Societies USA encouraged Catholics to pray for the cardinals in a video message from St Find out how you can “adopt” a cardinal to pray for here. The 2025 Conclave: All the cardinal electors from A to Z. Let's pray for them. pic.twitter.com/evOGuKSmGA The College of Cardinals held their sixth general congregation on Tuesday morning confirming two cardinal electors will not participate in the upcoming May 7 conclave due to health reasons.  Read more here. will be the first Haitian prelate in the Church’s history to participate and vote in a papal conclave Langlois released a statement honoring the life and ministry of the Argentine pontiff who “showed special attention to Haiti” through his words and actions Read more here. Cardinal Charles Bo of Myanmar tells CNA that intends to deliver the following remarks during the general congregations ahead of the May 7 conclave to elect a new pope: This is not a time for hesitation — a true tribute to the late Pope Francis is to pursue peace without pause “We remember with trembling reverence how Pope Francis pleading for peace with the urgency of a father for his wounded children That moment became a sermon stronger than any words a proclamation that true leadership flows from humility not domination. His voice was not a political calculation — it was a cry from the heart of Christ “Yet the storms rage fiercer still. Today six major wars and more than 20 smaller conflicts continue to kill thousands and displace millions It is a valley of tears across many nations over 13,000 nuclear weapons remain armed and ready enough to destroy human civilization several times over a single spark of hatred could unleash a nuclear holocaust global warming devastates our common home.  Crops wither Scientists warn that tomorrow’s wars may not be fought over oil but over water — the very blood of life itself “We need a voice! A voice that evangelizes the hardened hearts of those who threaten the very survival of humanity and nature A voice that calls humanity back from the edge of destruction the next pope will nurture the Catholic faith and lead the Church into a deeper encounter with Jesus and his Trinitarian mission of love on earth But the Incarnation cries out today: We must renew and strengthen the instruments of peace — the United Nations Yet these structures are lifeless without the breath of moral authority “Religions must unite in a common cause to save humanity The world urgently needs a new breath of hope — a synodal journey that chooses life over death Mary Major following his funeral on April 26.  As the world continues to mourn the late pope during the nine-day period known as “Novendiales” (also rendered “Novemdiales”) preparations are underway for the highly-regulated conclave process which is the means by which a new pope is elected for the Church.  Here’s what you need to know about what will happen next. Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu announces on Tuesday that he will not participate in the upcoming conclave to elect Pope Francis’ successor despite having previously insisted on his right to vote the former deputy Secretary of State cited his desire for the good of the Church and the serenity of the conclave as his reasons for withdrawing which I have served and will continue to serve with fidelity and love and to contribute to the communion and serenity of the Conclave to adhere to the will of Pope Francis not to enter the Conclave while remaining convinced of my innocence,” Cardinal Becciu wrote in Italian The 76-year-old cardinal was convicted in a Vatican financial trial in 2023 but has maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings he had publicly stated his intention to exercise his right as a cardinal under the age of 80 to vote in the conclave Vatican City is issuing special “Sede Vacante MMXXV” commemorative stamps now available at the Vatican Post Office in St featuring the traditional crossed keys beneath an ornamental umbrella (known as the ombrellino) symbolize the current period of transition following Pope Francis’ death on April 21 The Vatican postal service typically issues these stamps — which bear the Latin inscription “Sede Vacante” (“Empty Chair”) — during an interregnum continuing a tradition that allows pilgrims and philatelists alike to own a tangible memento of this historic transition in Church leadership The stamps are valid for postage until the election of a new pontiff concludes the sede vacante period though they remain available for collectors afterward Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu has renounced his participation in the upcoming conclave The former deputy secretary of state has decided to withdraw his name as a cardinal elector despite having insisted last week that he should have a vote Read the full blog post at the National Catholic Register. In case anyone needs this OBVIOUS information, the Vatican Museum's Sistine Chapel will be closed to the public due to the conclave. Best reason ever to close the most visited room of the world’s most visited museum. pic.twitter.com/r1rm8mKe58 delivers the homily during the third day of Novendiales Masses for Pope Francis on Monday Read the full text of the homily here. Cardinal Baldassare Reina urges the faithful to “discern and order” the late pontiff’s reform initiatives while acknowledging the sense of loss felt by Rome’s Catholics in his homily on the third day of “Novendiales” Masses for Pope Francis the 54-year-old vicar general for the Diocese of Rome describes how the faithful feel like “sheep without a shepherd” following the pontiff’s death In addition to the more than 140 international delegations who participated in the solemn celebration of Pope Francis’ funeral Mass a group of homeless people and several immigrant families also sat in the front rows there were 40 people seated there who had experienced Pope Francis’ tenderness firsthand during his 12-year pontificate.  Among them was the 31-year-old Kurdish woman who had to flee Iraq in the face of the Islamic State’s furious violence and the lack of basic services and opportunities for the future Read her story here. Cardinals over the age of 80 cannot participate in a conclave Out of the 134 cardinals under 80 taking part in the upcoming 2025 conclave 15 are 79 years old — some making it under the cutoff just weeks before their 80th birthday leaving 134 electors from the original 135 eligible cardinals The age limit for electors was introduced by Pope Paul VI in the 1970s and was confirmed by Pope John Paul II’s 1996 apostolic constitution Universi Dominici Gregis Here’s a look at the oldest members of the 2025 conclave. The recent death of Pope Francis on April 21 has reignited interest in the centuries-old “Prophecy of the Popes,” also known as the St which some say indicates that Pope Francis was the last pope the Church will ever have purports to describe every single pope from the year 1143 until the end of time — and Pope Francis appears to be the last pope described in the prophecy suggesting the world will end now that his papacy has concluded A closer look shows that there is some significant evidence against the authenticity of this alleged prophecy. Here’s what you need to know. Imagine that your cellphone rings and the display says the call is from a “private number.” You expect it to be a telemarketer you hear a man with an Argentine accent say: “This is Francis on an ordinary weekday morning in December 2018 Read more about his unique encounter with Pope Francis. Read the full story here the College of Cardinals will include several notably young members who have traveled to Rome from across the world Among the 135 cardinals who are eligible to vote in a conclave Here are the five youngest cardinals who will help select the next pope Among the tens of thousands of mourners paying their respects before the coffin of Pope Francis last week was Gianluigi Buffon Pope Francis was a lifelong soccer fan and his passing was felt perhaps most acutely among fans of the San Lorenzo club in Buenos Aires the club paid tribute to their most famous fan San Lorenzo players wore a patch on their shirts with an image of Pope Francis smiling and wearing his papal robes accompanied by the phrase “Together for Eternity.” Read more here. The College of Cardinals has announced that the conclave to elect Pope Francis’ successor will begin on Wednesday marking the final phase in the process of selecting the 267th pope Read the full story here. Cardinals are meeting in a general congregation to determine when the conclave to elect a new pope will begin The pivotal gathering began this morning at the Vatican as the College of Cardinals continues its preparations for electing the next successor to St Sources inside the Vatican confirm that today’s April 28 meeting is specifically focused on setting the official start date for the conclave where cardinal electors under 80 years of age will cast their votes The cardinals have been holding regular general congregation meetings in recent days to discuss the current state and future direction of the Church and global affairs Today’s decision represents a significant step forward in the process Vatican watchers expect an announcement on the conclave date to be made following the conclusion of today’s meeting We will update this live blog as more information becomes available The final journey of Pope Francis through the streets of Rome on Saturday became a tapestry of meaningful moments from departing through the door near his humble Vatican residence to traveling in the Dodge Ram popemobile that once carried him among the faithful in Mexico Each element of the 6-kilometer (about 3.5-mile) cortege reflected aspects of his papacy and personal devotions Read the full story here. In a video message recorded in January but only published on Sunday Pope Francis encourages young people to work on listening well to others shared by the Italian weekly magazine Oggi telling them: “One of the most important things in life is to listen — to learn how to listen.”“People don’t listen Read the full story here A Lithuanian cardinal says that Pope Francis chose his final resting place at the Basilica of St Mary Major following what the late pontiff described as guidance from the Blessed Virgin Mary Speaking to journalists after Saturday’s burial shares that he had initially asked Francis on May 13 2022 — the feast of Our Lady of Fátima — if he would consider being buried at St The pope declined, saying popes should traditionally be buried at St. Peter’s Basilica, reported ACI Prensa Francis summoned Makrickas and told him: “The Virgin told me ‘prepare your tomb,’” adding: “I am happy that the Virgin has not forgotten about me.” Mourners lined the streets of Rome yesterday as the pope’s wishes were fulfilled with his burial at the Marian basilica where pilgrims are now beginning to visit his simple tomb marked “FRANCISCVS.” Peter’s Square is filled with thousands of teenagers and other pilgrims from around the world today as Cardinal Pietro Parolin celebrates Mass on the second day of mourning for Pope Francis ”The shepherd whom the Lord gave to his people, Pope Francis, has ended his earthly life and has left us,” Parolin says in his homily Read the full story here. 🔊 Volume Up: 200,000 teenagers pray and sing the Regina Coeli in St. Peter’s Square during the Jubilee of Teenagers. pic.twitter.com/vzoDUa1IBf Cardinal Raymond Burke is inviting Catholics worldwide to join a solemn novena of hope to Our Lady of Good Counsel beginning May 1 and running until May 9 The prayer initiative comes as the College of Cardinals prepares to enter the conclave to elect the successor to Pope Francis “Asking the intercession of Our Lady of Good Counsel is especially important, given the critical decisions which will be made during the coming days and weeks for the good of the Church and of the whole world,” Burke tells the National Catholic Register Read the whole story at the National Catholic Register has become another site of mourning as parishioners and visitors write their farewells to Pope Francis in a memorial book placed before his portrait This parish held special significance in the final months of Francis’ papacy where he heard confessions and presided over a celebration of reconciliation as part of the “24 Hours for the Lord” initiative Francis delivered a powerful homily emphasizing one of his signature themes: “God never tires of forgiving.” A commemorative plaque marking this visit remains prominently displayed in the church now serving as a poignant reminder of the pope’s recent presence in this community The first pilgrims are arriving at the Basilica of St Mary Major to pray at the tomb of Pope Francis after the late pontiff was buried there on Saturday The faithful flocking to the tomb on Sunday morning see the illumination on the marble tomb located in a niche between two chapels in what was Francis’ favorite basilica The stone slab marked “FRANCISCVS” is illuminated by a spotlight that also highlights a small crucifix mounted on the wall above the tomb some clutching rosaries and taking photographs The location fulfills Pope Francis’ final wish to be laid to rest in the basilica he visited more than 100 times during his pontificate often before and after international trips to pray before the ancient icon of Mary “Salus Populi Romani” (“Protectress of the Roman People”) As the Catholic Church mourns Pope Francis, there is time to also reflect on his legacy, says Cardinal John Dew of New Zealand there was this deep gratitude for what Pope Francis has done for the Church in the 12 years that he was the pontiff — and for the world,” Dew says in a statement released Sunday that he’s had such an effect on the world.” The prelate will be the third New Zealander to participate in a papal election Read the full story here. A little tribute to Pope Francis.How we will remember him / How we bid him goodbye. pic.twitter.com/cOckyX50xi Bishop-elect Bruce Lewandowski — one of the last bishops in the world appointed by the late pontiff — said is a legacy of “closeness” and missionary evangelization.  The Holy Father lived out the Gospel, Lewandowski told CNA this week close to people who feel far from other people He showed they could experience the closeness of the Lord through him.” “We’ve talked a lot about evangelization and new evangelization for decades,” the bishop said After leaving the Vatican for the last time — and a final goodbye to the Eternal City with his coffin crossing Rome — Pope Francis is buried in a private ceremony in his tomb in the Basilica of St He is the eigth pope buried in this church Upholding the tradition of his humble predecessors his tomb is a simple slab bearing his name The tomb is located in a niche of the left-side aisle of the basilica between the Pauline Chapel (which houses the icon known as “Salus Populi Romani” — “Mary Protection of the Roman People”) and the Sforza Chapel Read the whole story here. Pope Francis was buried Saturday in the Basilica of St. Mary Major after his coffin crossed the center of Rome, marking the pontiff’s final goodbye to the Eternal City. pic.twitter.com/q0AaN6SJWh The wooden coffin of Pope Francis arrives at the Basilica of St Peter’s Square through the streets of Rome Crowds of faithful lined the route as the late pontiff made his final journey to the basilica he visited more than 100 times during his papacy The historic Marian basilica will be the pope’s final resting place where he will be buried in a simple tomb marked only with the word “Franciscus.” Pope Francis specifically requested burial at St. Mary Major, where seven other popes have their final resting place Italian officials estimate that approximately 150,000 people lined the procession route from Vatican City to the basilica according to a statement released by the Holy See Press Office President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hosted a brief meeting at the Vatican on Saturday prior to Pope Francis’ funeral in which the two world leaders discussed the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war Zelenskyy shared a photo on X of the two heads of state conferring in a hall at St The leaders sat on ornate chairs while discussing efforts to “prevent another war from breaking out,” the Ukrainian leader said Good meeting. We discussed a lot one on one. Hoping for results on everything we covered. Protecting lives of our people. Full and unconditional ceasefire. Reliable and lasting peace that will prevent another war from breaking out. Very symbolic meeting that has potential to… pic.twitter.com/q4ZhVXCjw0 Trump and Zelenskyy were among the dozens of world leaders in attendance at the pope’s funeral on Saturday The solemn funeral Mass for Pope Francis has concluded at St Peter’s Basilica after Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re completed the final rites of the liturgy The funeral procession to the Basilica of St The pontiff left the Vatican to cheers from a small crowd gathered to salute the Holy Father on his journey to the place of burial Pope Francis will now cross the Eternal City in the popemobile for the final time President Donald Trump and other dignitaries have left the Vatican The Holy See Press Office has updated its attendance estimate now reporting that approximately 250,000 mourners have gathered to pay their respects to the late pontiff The procession carrying Pope Francis’ body is now underway to the Basilica of St following the previously announced route through central Rome Peter’s Square as the solemn transfer of the pope’s remains continues to its final destination Click here to to read the full homil by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, at the Funeral Mass of Pope Francis in St As the funeral Mass concludes at St. Peter‘s Square, the Church bids farewell to Pope Francis Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals, who presided over the Mass Read the full story here. Pope Francis’ funeral closes with a beautiful Catholic prayer, the “In Paradisum” hymn:“May choirs of angels welcome you and with Lazarus, who is poor no longer, may you have eternal rest.” pic.twitter.com/4z6zZdWV8H As the funeral Mass gradually draws to a close on early Saturday afternoon people are lining up close to the Vatican’s Perugino Gate to bid farewell as Pope Francis leaves the Vatican for the very last time The coffin of the 266th pontiff will be brought to the Basilica of St. Mary Major. The burial location is in accordance with the wishes the Holy Father publicized prior to his death The Holy See Press Office confirms approximately 200,000 people are currently in attendance at the funeral Mass of Pope Francis in St The announcement comes from Vatican officials as Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re continues to preside over the solemn funeral liturgy The massive gathering represents one of the largest assemblies of mourners in Vatican City since the funeral of Pope John Paul II in 2005 reflecting the global impact of Pope Francis’ pontificate The funeral Mass for Pope Francis is now underway at St where tens of thousands of mourners have gathered to bid farewell to the 266th pontiff As the coffin emerged from the basilica shortly after 10 a.m the solemn silence gave way to applause — a gesture of respect and final salute The casket with Pope Francis’ remains enters St. Peter's Square to begin the funeral Mass. pic.twitter.com/TtXMXxIQXo is presiding over the funeral liturgy for the Argentine pontiff who led the Catholic Church for 12 years Francis will be buried at the Basilica of St which is a break from the recent papal tradition of being buried in the Vatican grottoes The burial location is in accordance with the wishes the Holy Father publicized prior to his death.  📍 Pope Francis' Funeral Map Now LiveAccess key points for the funeral procession on the EWTN Travel Jubilee app and follow Pope Francis' final journey to Saint Mary Major.Watch the Funeral Broadcast Live with English translations. 👉🏻 https://t.co/Kj8B435mEE pic.twitter.com/nM5svXQDnM Today’s funeral starts off the traditional “Novendiales,” nine consecutive days of mourning for the suffrage of the late pope President Donald Trump’s motorcade has arrived at Vatican City joining the procession of global leaders coming to pay their final respects to Pope Francis accompanied by Secret Service vehicles and Italian security forces made its way through the specially cleared routes to St Peter’s Square ahead of the funeral Mass scheduled to begin at 10 a.m Donald Trump llegando al funeral del Papa.@EWTNews @aciprensa pic.twitter.com/rsjBwkhVvy Trump and First Lady Melania Trump are among more than 100 heads of state and government leaders attending the funeral including Argentina’s President Javier Milei representing the pontiff’s homeland and numerous European leaders such as French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni President Joe Biden and former First Lady Jill Biden are also expected to attend Presidents Trump, Macron, and Zelenskyy together among hundreds of world leaders and dignitaries at the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square. pic.twitter.com/Kg5NnYD7HR Patriarchs and prelates from many denominations and churches as well as religious representatives from around the world are also in attendance The gathering represents one of the largest assemblies of world leaders in recent years demonstrating Pope Francis’ global influence during his 12-year pontificate Security measures throughout Rome are extraordinarily tight with Italian military and police securing a wide perimeter around Vatican City Watch now: The funeral Mass of Pope Francis is being livestreamed from St allowing Catholics worldwide to participate in this historic moment of prayer and remembrance 🔴LIVE | Funeral Mass of Pope Francis from St. Peter’s Square.Let us know where you are watching from and what your prayer requests are! Images: Vatican Media https://t.co/0j5NlzdHJg As the Church bids farewell to the 265th successor of St EWTN invites viewers to share where they’re watching from and submit prayer requests that will unite the global Catholic community in this solemn occasion Peter’s Square continues to fill under clear morning skies the solemn atmosphere is punctuated by communal prayer thousands of pilgrims joined together in praying the Litany of the Saints their voices rising in unison across the Vatican grounds Crowd prays the Litany of the Saints two hours before the start of Pope Francis’ funeral in St. Peter’s Square. pic.twitter.com/pBDF1ZVSyY invoking the intercession of the communion of saints provides a prayerful backdrop as the faithful gather to bid farewell to Pope Francis Thousands of pilgrims are streaming into St Peter’s Square as Vatican officials open the gates around 6 a.m with many rushing forward to secure prime viewing locations for Pope Francis’ funeral Mass Funerali #PapaFrancesco pic.twitter.com/xRKr1T6utn Some faithful have been waiting through the night lining the streets for more than 12 hours to bid farewell to the late pontiff who touched so many lives during his 12-year papacy Reporting live on the funeral of Pope Francis pic.twitter.com/cIZO4RLNTh The funeral Mass, scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. local time (4 a.m. ET), and livestreamed by EWTN will be presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re Here is everything you need to know about how to watch Pope Francis’ funeral and other important details. Watch the funeral Mass of Pope Francis from St. Peter’s Basilica live on EWTN’s YouTube channel here The liturgical celebration will be presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re the coffin of the Holy Father will be taken in procession to the Papal Basilica of St Let us pray together for the eternal rest of our beloved Pope Francis At 9:45 p.m. Rome time, 12 hours before Pope Francis’ funeral is set to take place, the first of thousands of pilgrims were already lining up along the streets to catch a glimpse of the late pontiff as his body passes by on the way to the Basilica of St The funeral for Pope Francis will be held on Saturday morning in St Saturday’s funeral will kick off the traditional “Novendiales,” nine consecutive days of mourning for the suffrage of the late pope Here is everything you need to know about how to watch Pope Francis’ funeral and other important details. Among the more than 250,000 people who made their way to the Vatican this week were the nocturnal pilgrims wanting to catch a final glimpse of Pope Francis in St Peter’s Basilica before his Saturday funeral.    To host the streams of pilgrims in mourning to St the Vatican extended opening hours — with the support of thousands of jubilee and Civil Protection volunteers — to allow visitors to pay their last respects to the late pontiff past midnight.  Here is a list of leaders from around the world who are among the dignitaries who have announced they will attend Pope Francis’ funeral on Saturday Pope Francis’ more than 12-year pontificate — characterized by an emphasis on mercy and compassion, the need to care for creation, and attention to the marginalized and “peripheries” of the Church and society — deeply resonated with the people of God in Africa with one exception related to the release of a controversial Vatican document This is how the private ritual for the closing of Pope Francis’ coffin took place The coffin was closed on the evening of April 25 Archbishop Diego Giovanni Ravelli placed a white silk veil over the late pope’s face The action is part of the funeral rites for popes This is how the private ritual for the closing of Pope Francis' coffin took place. The casket was closed on the evening of April 25. Archbishop Diego Giovanni Ravelli placed a white silk veil over the late pope's face. The action is part of the funeral rites for popes.#catholic… pic.twitter.com/wTLijlwJGz The death of Pope Francis marks the end of an era for the Catholic Church in Latin America. As the first Latin American pontiff according to analysts consulted by ACI Prensa His 12-year pontificate coincided with multiple challenges in the region and sexual abuse scandals within the Church Pope Francis’ coffin was closed and sealed in St. Peter’s Basilica in a private ceremony on Friday evening after more than 250,000 people paid their final respects to the late pope over three days of public visitation presided over the rite of the closing and sealing of the coffin which was attended by cardinals of the Roman Curia a group responsible for the liturgical and sacramental care of St will keep vigil over the late pontiff’s coffin during the night of April 25 until the funeral Mass in St The Vatican on Friday afternoon published the text of the rogito the short papal biography that will be buried with Pope Francis following his funeral on Saturday The traditional document gives a brief description of Francis' life and his papacy It was published in both Latin and Italian A copy of the rogito will be sealed in a metal tube and placed in the late pontiff's coffin along with coins and medals minted during Francis’ pontificate before the pope is interred in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome Throughout his papacy, Francis took steps to appoint and integrate women into leadership roles in the Vatican. From the time he took office in 2013, the number of female employees working in the Vatican increased from about 850 at the beginning of Francis’ papacy to nearly 1,200 in 2023, according to a report by Vatican News.  more than 1 in 4 employees of the Roman Curia — the group of bureaus that support the pope in governing the Church — are women As the Church reflects on Francis’ legacy and the confidence he placed in women to help lead the Church, CNA takes a closer look at four religious sisters appointed to some of the highest-ranking leadership roles in the Vatican.  Pope Francis’ tomb is made of Ligurian (Italian) marble with the sole inscription “FRANCISCUS” and a reproduction of his pectoral cross, according to new details released by the Vatican The burial place is located in the niche of the side aisle between the Pauline Chapel (Chapel of Our Lady of Health of the Roman People) and the Sforza Chapel in St It is also located near the altar dedicated to St Work to receive Pope Francis’ coffin began a few days ago fulfilling the pontiff’s wish for a simple burial in this church dedicated to the Virgin Mary The Holy See Press Office announces that since the morning of Wednesday Peter’s Basilica was opened for public viewing of Pope Francis Rome time approximately 250,000 people passed through St Peter’s Basilica to pay their respects to Pope Francis One hundred forty-nine cardinals attended the fourth general congregation this morning Archbishop Diego Ravelli noted that the funeral rite for Pope Francis will be the funeral of a shepherd Pope Francis’ coffin will be closed in a private ceremony Friday night 149 cardinals attended the 4th General Congregation this morning, including new arrivals who took the oath. Msgr. Diego Ravelli noted that the funeral rite for Pope Francis it will be the funeral of a shepherd, not of a sovereign. Pope Francis’ coffin will be closed in a private… pic.twitter.com/Tq9u22vL0W “Conclave” was a surprise hit upon its theatrical release last October And following the April 21 death of Pope Francis has attracted a new wave of interest from viewers with streaming rates of the film reportedly tripling in the days since the pope’s death was announced Here’s a (non-exhaustive) look at what “Conclave” gets wrong — and gets right — about the process of electing a new pope. Pope Francis was the 265th successor of St Here is a timeline of key events during his papacy. Among the thousands of pilgrims traveling to the Vatican to show respect and affection to the late Pope Francis are players and members of major Italian soccer franchises Players with the SS Lazio teams and the Italian national football teams waited hours in line to say goodbye to the pope The day before, AS Roma players, led by coach Claudio Ranieri, also attended St. Peter’s Basilica to pay their last tributes to the Argentine pontiff, ChurchPop, a news service of EWTN News, reported on Friday. on his way to Rome for the funeral of Pope Francis told EWTN News White House Correspondent Owen Jensen that he’ll remember the pope as “a fantastic kind of a guy.” President Donald Trump, on his way to Rome for the funeral of Pope Francis, told EWTN's @owentjensen he’ll remember the Pope as “a fantastic kind of a guy”. pic.twitter.com/2Dmuqf9ZUh Pope Francis’ pontificate was marked not only by historic events and memorable themes but also by his personality Here’s a look at these more personal moments — many of them unscripted and spontaneous — reminds us that beneath the white cassock is always a man who brings his own charisms to the role Pope Francis’ coffin will be sealed in a liturgical rite this evening ahead of his solemn funeral set to take place the next morning on Saturday the pope’s body — dressed in red liturgical vestments with the miter and pallium — had been placed in a simple wooden coffin with a zinc lining.  Read more about what happens during this rite. On his way into the Vatican on Friday morning for the day’s general congregation of cardinals Ajaccio bishop Cardinal François-Xavier Bustillo was asked by journalists about a “simple memory of Pope Francis.” “He was a free man,” the Spanish-born Bustillo told reporters “And that’s the beauty of it — a free man who loved people He humanized the Church without desacralizing it.”   When asked about the atmosphere in the synod hall a homeless Romanian man who sleeps on the streets near the Vatican has created a small memorial for Pope Francis near his sleeping area The simple shrine includes a photo of the late pontiff alongside images of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary Ulmer, who tells ACI MENA Rome correspondent Elias Turk he personally met Pope Francis on several occasions is joining the thousands of mourners at St he is visiting the basilica accompanied by a priest from St Gregorio VII Church to say his final goodbye to the pope Peter’s Basilica will remain open until 7 p.m access to the queue will end one hour earlier to ensure the closing time is maintained and to allow those in line to enter the basilica Peter’s Basilica to pay their final respects to Pope Francis according to figures released by the Holy See Press Office on Friday afternoon has seen a constant stream of mourners filing past the late pontiff’s body since it was first placed on public view on Wednesday morning The Vatican reports that the extraordinary influx of pilgrims began at 11 a.m with many waiting hours in line for a brief moment to bid farewell to the 265th successor of St Thousands of pilgrims are paying their respects to Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Basilica after waiting about 5 hours in line. 🙏🏻 #PopeFrancis pic.twitter.com/suMkyEhLkP Pope Francis’ body will remain on display until late Friday evening with his funeral scheduled for tomorrow morning at 10 a.m Cardinal Angelo Becciu is reportedly seeking to participate in the upcoming conclave despite having been stripped of his cardinalitial privileges in 2020 and later convicted of financial crimes The former deputy Vatican secretary of state tells Italian media he will “participate in the conclave,” claiming his cardinal privileges “remain intact.” Read the full story here. The Vatican’s Protocol Office announces that 130 official delegations are now confirmed for Pope Francis’ funeral on Saturday including approximately 50 heads of state and 10 reigning monarchs Thousands of mourners are expected to gather in St after which the pope’s remains will be transferred to the Basilica of St Various factors are at play when it comes to the decision of a burial place for a pope. Pope Francis has chosen the Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore. https://t.co/D9cn00WoTD will attend the upcoming conclave after receiving medical clearance reversing his earlier announcement that health concerns would prevent his participation According to a statement released Thursday by the Archdiocese of Sarajevo Puljić received a “positive medical assessment” clearing him to travel to Rome and participate in both the general congregations and the conclave to elect Pope Francis’ successor Having received this medical clearance on Thursday the cardinal will not be able to attend Pope Francis’ funeral and burial on Saturday but “will travel to the Eternal City next week and join the College of Cardinals,” the statement says Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle leads the fourth evening rosary in memory of Pope Francis on Thursday at the Papal Basilica of St where the late pontiff will be buried following Saturday’s funeral Tagle reflects on today’s Gospel reading of the risen Jesus appearing to his troubled disciples And why do questions arise in your hearts?” “These words of the risen Christ are addressed to each of us to give hope and certainty to our lives,” Tagle says explaining that Jesus “came to give us life This prayer service marks the fourth in a series being held during the nine-day mourning period which will culminate with the pope’s funeral and burial at St the powerful archbishop of Buenos Aires in Argentina EWTN’s Colm Flynn travels to Pope Francis’ home city to meet the friends and family who knew him best: Father Arturo Sosa, SJ, superior general of the Society of Jesus, reflected on the first Jesuit pope in a press conference on Thursday saying Francis “did not seek to please everyone” or to measure himself by a popularity index his deep motivation in life was to put God’s will into practice,” Sosa said who asked for prayers to make decisions according to the will of God.” How can you watch Pope Francis’ funeral on Saturday Here is a schedule of EWTN coverage of the funeral and of prayerful events during the interregnum. High-ranking heads of state and Catholic bishops in China have remained notably silent following the death of Pope Francis while reactions from political and religious leaders across the globe poured out on social media within hours of the pope’s passing on Monday morning.  AsiaNews reported on Tuesday that Chinese officials are not permitted to express themselves publicly on Pope Francis’ death due the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)’s control over the Church there Read more. Like all popes since the Second Vatican Council Pope Francis made a point of reaching out to non-Catholics His consistent efforts toward Christian unity over his 12-year pontificate produced several historic moments in ecumenical relations.  While his interreligious achievements — like the 2019 Abu Dhabi declaration on human fraternity signed by Pope Francis and the grand imam of Al-Azhar Ahmed Al-Tayeb — have often garnered greater attention the pope’s ecumenical initiatives with other Christian communities have also left a meaningful mark on his legacy.  Read more about them here. Celebrities who had the opportunity to meet Pope Francis during his papacy are remembering the late pontiff sharing their experiences with the pope and reflecting on his warmth and legacy the Vatican has announced which cardinals will offer the traditional “Novendialies” Masses — nine days of mourning marked by solemn Masses offered for the repose of the soul of the deceased pope each day of the Novendiales includes a requiem Mass following the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis (2024) each day traditionally focuses on a particular community or group associated with the pope’s ministry from the Diocese of Rome to the Eastern Churches Find out who will say the Novendiales Masses here. Prisoners always held a special place in Pope Francis’ heart, and he demonstrated his love for them throughout his pontificate. The Holy See Press Office announces that since yesterday at 11 a.m. Peter’s Basilica opened to the public for mourners to say their final goodbyes to Pope Francis more than 90,000 people have passed through the basilica to pay their respects to Pope Francis Of the many devotions Pope Francis promoted during his pontificate perhaps none is better known than his devotion to Our Lady Undoer of Knots (also referred to as Our Lady Read more about his devotion here. Pope Francis traveled abroad on apostolic journeys nearly 50 times during his 12-year papacy The octagenarian pope continued to travel even after being hampered for a time by the COVID-19 pandemic and battling failing health in the latter years of his life.  Francis’ 47 apostolic journeys brought him to 68 countries Vatican News reported Monday — and those journeys included a number of papal firsts Check out the interactive map here to see a selection of some of Pope Francis’ most notable apostolic journeys. More than 61,000 people have visited St. Peter’s Basilica since Wednesday to bid farewell to Pope Francis, Vatican authorities report. The basilica briefly closed Thursday morning. Pilgrims, clergy, and dignitaries continue to arrive, with extended hours allowing global mourners… pic.twitter.com/y2hX4io8HR The 113 cardinals now present in Rome are beginning to discuss “the Church and the world” in pre-conclave meetings at the Vatican which met in the third general congregation for two and half hours on Thursday morning is also finalizing details about their next meetings including the choice of Cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa to give the meditation on the first day of the conclave will give the meditation at the start of next week Other topics of discussion among the cardinals include further papal funeral and burial organization and changes to who will celebrate the daily Masses for Pope Francis during the Novendiales The Vatican announces early Thursday morning that St Peter’s Basilica briefly closed its doors between 5:30 a.m local time before reopening for the continuing public viewing of Pope Francis’ body The basilica is hosting a continuous stream of pilgrims and dignitaries since the late pontiff’s body was placed on public display Wednesday morning Vatican officials maintain extended hours to allow as many visitors as possible to bid farewell to the Holy Father before Saturday’s funeral Peter’s Square as mourners from around the world wait for their opportunity to pay final respects to the 265th successor of St The College of Cardinals sees a significant surge in attendance at Wednesday’s general congregation, with 103 cardinals now present in Rome — nearly double the approximately 60 who participated in Tuesday’s initial gathering The cardinals begin with prayers for Pope Francis before finalizing the schedule for the Novendiales Masses which will be celebrated by eight different cardinals following Saturday’s funeral liturgy presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re throngs of faithful continue to pay their respects at St with waiting times stretching to five hours despite Vatican reports of 20,000 visitors by Wednesday evening Read the full report here U.S. Vice President JD Vance says that he is refusing to politicize Pope Francis’ death hailing the late pontiff as a “broad” figure and a “great” leader of the Catholic Church.  Among the people throughout the world remembering Pope Francis in a special way this week are three Americans who shared extraordinarily personal moments with him during his apostolic visit to the United States in September 2015 Pope Francis, baptized as Jorge Mario Bergoglio, celebrated his patron saint’s feast day every April 23 The patron saint’s day of the pope is a holiday at the Vatican and Pope Francis usually celebrated it with acts of charity toward people in need is credited with protecting the papacy and is also known as an intercessor in the fight against evil Pope Francis was known to take every opportunity to celebrate special occasions with the poorest when he often invited hundreds of them to dine with him at the Vatican Thousands of Catholics said their last goodbyes and paid their respects to Pope Francis on Wednesday as the late pope lay in state in St many waiting more than four hours under the hot Roman sun Peter’s Square on the first day of viewing on April 23 Vatican officials indicated that they might need to extend the basilica’s hours past midnight to accommodate the large turnout As people slowly made their way to the basilica people were able to spend a moment in prayer before the late pope’s open casket in front of the main altar and the tomb of St Francis was watched over in silence by four Swiss Guards standing vigil The public viewing in the basilica will continue for three days when the casket will be sealed ahead of the funeral Visitors to the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore (St Mary Major) on Wednesday witnessed ongoing construction of the tomb of Pope Francis who will be interred in the soaring basilica after his funeral on Saturday The Holy Father had specifically requested to be buried in the basilica due to his devotion to the Blessed Mother Having cared for the aging Pope Francis as his personal nurse since 2022, Italian nurse Massimiliano Strappetti was among the few people who saw the Holy Father moments before his death on Easter Monday Before being appointed Pope Francis’ personal nurse in August 2022 Strappetti was the nursing coordinator for the Vatican’s health department He started working in the Vatican in 2002 after having worked eight years in the intensive care unit of Rome’s Gemelli Hospital The pope’s last words and final greetings were reportedly addressed to Strappetti the man he trusted to care for him throughout the multiple illnesses and health emergencies he endured in the last years of his life Pope Francis ordered that upon his death he would be buried in the Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore (Basilica of St will not be the only pope to be buried outside of the Vatican City State and only about 30 of them have been buried outside of Rome.  Who are the other popes not buried in the Vatican? Find out here. This is the moment when Pope Francis leaves Casa Santa Marta, the home where he lived for 12 years. The body of the Holy Father has been translated to St. Peter’s Basilica, where he will lie in state until Friday, April 25. pic.twitter.com/sxtXCJpyFP As Catholics around the world mourn the passing of Pope Francis a highly regulated process has now begun that will see the pope’s earthly body laid to rest and a conclave convened to elect his successor.  As of this moment, the chair of St. Peter is vacant — and you may have seen the phrases “sede vacante” and “interregnum” being used to describe the present period. Here’s a breakdown of what those phrases mean.  “In view of the high turnout of faithful wishing to pay homage to the Holy Father the possibility of extending the opening of the Vatican Basilica beyond the established time of midnight is not ruled out,” the Holy See Press Office announces Wednesday afternoon Rome time In anticipation of Pope Francis’ funeral Mass on Saturday the city of Rome has installed jumbo-screens all along Via della Conciliazione to allow more people to participate in the liturgy The global event will be covered by press from around the world hundreds of whom have descended on Rome to report on the historic moment in the Catholic Church Peter’s Square and the surrounding areas buzzed with pilgrims platforms for live broadcasts were being constructed in multiple locations close to St The Holy See Press Office also announced on Wednesday that it had opened a second work station for media close to the Vatican Now is the time to say farewell in person: Pope Francis will lie in state in St Cardinal Kevin Farrell will close the coffin in preparation for the funeral Mass on Saturday The first mourners enter St. Peter’s Basilica to visit the mortal remains of Pope Francis and to pray for the late Holy Father. The faithful can visit Pope Francis’ remains until Friday evening. pic.twitter.com/G8NEU407xl The Vatican says that Cardinal Kevin Farrell will preside over the rite of closing Pope Francis’ coffin on Friday According to a statement released by Archbishop Diego Ravelli master of pontifical liturgical celebrations this private ceremony follows the protocols established in the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis (The Order of Funeral Rites for the Roman Pontiff) The solemn rite takes place in the presence of various Church authorities as the late pontiff’s body is prepared for burial which will occur after the funeral Mass on Saturday The transfer of Pope Francis’ coffin to St. Peter’s Basilica began at 9 a.m. local time today following a prayer ceremony in the chapel of Casa Santa Marta allowing more than 20,000 faithful gathered in St Peter’s Square to pay their final respects to Pope Francis on Wednesday The late pontiff’s coffin rests before the altar on a modest wooden platform Pilgrims are pausing to pray for a few moments before moving on in a solemn procession that will continue until the pope’s burial at St Mary Major Basilica following Saturday’s funeral Mass which will be celebrated by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin The body of Pope Francis is now in St. Peter's Basilica. The solemn transfer of the coffin from Casa Santa Marta took place in St. Peter's Square. pic.twitter.com/efIxBfl3Wf The Vatican “sediari” — the same bearers who in past centuries carried the portable papal throne — transported the coffin on their shoulders to St accompanied by cardinals currently present in Rome From Casa Santa Marta to the Vatican Basilica, the procession was marked by visible emotion among onlookers Some could not hold back tears as they followed in respectful silence the final journey of the “pope of the peripheries.” in his role as camerlengo of Holy Roman Church will preside over the rite of closing of the coffin of the Roman Pontiff Francis Peter’s Square Tuesday evening to pray the rosary for the soul of Pope Francis and lay faithful from around the world unite in prayer for the late pontiff who often concluded his public appearances with the simple request: “Please Re reminds those present that “death is not a door that closes but rather the entrance to the heavenly Jerusalem where mourning is turned into dancing and the garment of grief into a robe of joy.” highlights the Church’s unity in grief and hope This communal prayer marks one of several public moments of mourning scheduled before Pope Francis’ funeral “Thank you for bringing me back to the Square.” Pope Francis said the day before he passed... Thank you for returning to the Square, Pope Francis. pic.twitter.com/kjMQHmxk8t The closed-door meeting to discuss the upcoming conclave and other issues pertaining to the interregnum took place at 9 a.m local time the day after the death of the pontiff as cardinals hurried from around the world to the Eternal City.  the cardinals will meet frequently to make various decisions about the upcoming papal funeral and conclave.  the Catholic Church has entered a mourning period which will include nine days of Masses offered for the repose of his soul known as the “Novendiales.”  What happens during these nine days? CNA explains here. Father Gabriel Romanelli, the pastor of Holy Family Parish in Gaza, summed up Pope Francis’ last call on Saturday night, April 19, moments before going to St Peter’s Basilica to pray before the Easter Vigil and thanked us for our prayers on his behalf,” Romanelli said the Holy Father has maintained constant contact with Gaza as it suffered the effects of the Israel-Hamas war Pope Francis greeted the faithful around the world for the last time from St Peter’s Basilica on the most important day for Christians: Easter the heart and foundation of the Catholic faith that proclaims Christ’s triumph over sin and death Read more about the final days of Pope Francis’ life. Cardinal José Advíncula, OP, and Cardinal Pablo David — two of three cardinal electors appointed by Pope Francis — on Tuesday presided over requiem Masses in the Philippines and praised the late Holy Father for his humble service and love for the poor and wounded Advíncula and David are expected to travel to Rome to participate — alongside fellow Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle pro-prefect for the section of first evangelization of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Evangelization — in the upcoming conclave to elect the next leader of the universal Church It will be the first time in the Church’s history that three Filipino cardinals will participate in a papal conclave In the midst of the Easter season — a time Pope Francis long proclaimed as a message of hope — churches across the Middle East are bidding the pope farewell with liturgies and prayer while Arab leaders are paying tribute to him with messages of respect and appreciation.  Read more here. and off-the-cuff reflections throughout his papacy Pope Francis offered such grandfatherly advice on marriage and other aspects of Catholic life — using signature turns of phrase Here are some highlights of other times he offered folksy advice to the faithful. The Vatican on Tuesday released a previously unpublished text by Pope Francis following his passing on Monday containing the late pontiff’s reflections on aging and death “We must not be afraid of old age; we must not fear embracing becoming old, because life is life, and sugarcoating reality means betraying the truth of things,” wrote Francis in the preface to a book in Italian by Cardinal Angelo Scola “Awaiting a New Beginning: Reflections on Old Age,” which will be available on Thursday Cardinal William Goh celebrated a memorial Mass for Pope Francis in Singapore on Tuesday saying the late Holy Father had a “heart for everyone” and was dedicated to leading the Church toward a “new evangelization” through mercy and love After expressing the “real shock” the Church felt following the news of the pope’s death on Easter Monday, Goh said the Archdiocese of Singapore swiftly organized the Tuesday afternoon memorial Mass held in the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd The start of a papal interregnum brings many terms that may not be familiar to many people Here are some of the key words and phrases that will be used throughout the interregnum especially the conclave to elect the new pope and he penned numerous encyclicals and apostolic exhortations emphasizing themes of hope His words often focused on the dignity of the poor and the elderly as well as the importance of marriage Advocating for “synodality,” Francis also called for a Church that listens and walks together.  Here is a collection of quotes that reflect Pope Francis’ vision for a more compassionate and Christ-centered world In remembrance of the Pope Francis’ message urging the faithful to take action to protect the natural environment and to celebrate Earth Day, marked every year on April 22, here are 10 quotes from Pope Francis on creation and care for the environment Pope Francis visited the United States just once he accomplished a lot: Attracting hundreds of thousands of participants became the first pope to ever address a joint session of Congress Catholic community with his presence and his speeches on the East Coast Here’s a look back at his visit. Pope Francis’ last public act was a blessing of the entire world on Easter Sunday Peter’s Basilica — the same place where he was introduced as pope 12 years ago.  In the wake of his death, the Vatican released further details on Tuesday about the pope’s final hours.  The Vatican on Tuesday released the first photos of Pope Francis after his death showing him dressed in red vestments and lying in a simple wooden coffin inside the chapel of the Santa Marta guesthouse.  taken on the evening of April 21 during the first step of the papal funeral rites who died earlier in the day at the age of 88 holding a rosary and wearing the papal miter and pallium Pope Francis’ funeral Mass will take place Saturday, April 26, at 10 a.m. in St. Peter’s Square, the Vatican announced Tuesday.  The Mass will be presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re Thousands of Argentines gathered Monday evening in the Basilica of San José de Flores in Buenos Aires where Pope Francis discovered his vocation to pray for the soul of the beloved shepherd they always hoped to see again Thousands of Argentines overflow tonight the Basilica of San José de Flores in Buenos Aires, where Pope Francis discovered his vocation, to pray for the soul of the beloved shepherd they always hoped to see again.Video: Julieta Villar / @EWTNews pic.twitter.com/qeMgCGhWMD The Vatican on Monday evening hosted a praying of the rosary in St Peter’s Square following the death of Pope Francis earlier in the day See the photo essay here. In St. Peter’s Square, a evening Rosary was prayed for the repose of Pope Francis, who passed away this morning. Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, Archpriest of the Vatican Basilica and Vicar General for Vatican City, led the faithful in entrusting the beloved 266th Successor of Peter to… pic.twitter.com/wiW8tI49rp Bishops and cardinals around the United States joined in prayer and mourning following the death of Pope Francis on Monday an Irish-American cardinal is playing a leading role in overseeing Vatican affairs until the election of a new pope.  Learn more about Cardinal Kevin Farrell and his responsibilities as the camerlengo.  Following Pope Francis’ death at age 88 on Easter Monday, the Vatican carried out the first stage in the papal funeral rites called “the rite of the ascertainment of death and deposition in the coffin.” Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the camerlengo presided over the rite in the chapel of Pope Francis’ Vatican residence just a little over 12 hours after the pontiff’s death the rite took under one hour and the pontiff’s remains will stay overnight in the chapel of Casa Santa Marta The papal apartments in the Apostolic Palace — unused during Pope Francis’ pontificate — have been officially sealed by Cardinal camerlengo Kevin Farrell following the Pope’s death. This act marks the beginning of the “sede vacante” period, during which the See of Peter remains… pic.twitter.com/p3PcYqN050 The Holy See on Monday evening released the death certificate detailing the cause of death of Pope Francis who died in his Vatican apartment at 7:35 a.m The Vatican also released the pope’s testament, which can be read in its entirety here World leaders from around the globe released statements of mourning and remembrance on Monday in response to the death of Pope Francis The Catholic Church has many historical customs and traditions related to the handling of a pope’s mortal remains between the time of his death and his burial.  Read more about them here. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said on Monday that he was “deeply saddened” by the passing of Pope Francis in Rome earlier in the day The pope “worked hard to protect the environment and promote peaceful diplomacy” during his pontificate Secretary-General António Guterres on Monday hailed the late Pope Francis as a “transcendent voice for peace and social justice,” praising the departed pontiff for his work reaching out to “those left on the margins of life.” “Our divided and discordant world will be a much better place if we follow his example of unity and mutual understanding in our own actions,” the leader said President Donald Trump on Monday ordered U.S government flags to be flown at half staff in honor of the late Pope Francis Flags should be flown at half-staff at “all public buildings and grounds,” including embassies and consular offices “until sunset on the day of [the pope’s] interment.” The death of Pope Francis begins the so-called “sede vacante,” a period when the See of Peter lies vacant The time of the sede vacante after the pope’s death brings with it a series of symbols and protocols that have existed for centuries and express the papacy’s essence Read more about them here. As the Catholic Church enters a period of Sede Vacante following the death of Pope Francis this morning, the bells of St. Peter's Basilica toll in mourning and Vatican flags fly at half-mast. pic.twitter.com/9Ayjl43H44 The Dalai Lama on Monday mourned the passing of Pope Francis urging the world to take up the late pontiff’s example of service and generosity.  The Buddhist leader wrote to Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli to “express his sadness on learning that His Holiness Pope Francis has passed away” earlier on Monday.  “The best tribute we can pay to him is to be a warmhearted person serving others wherever and in whatever way we can.” Winona-Rochester Bishop Robert Barron on Monday mourned Pope Francis’ passing hailing the late pontiff as a “great pastor” who preached “mercy and evangelization” over the course of his pontificate Barron noted the pope’s characterization of the Church as “a field hospital to those wounded by our postmodern his comments would burn their way into my heart and mind,” he said Sydney Archbishop Anthony Fisher on Monday said Pope Francis’ death during Easter is a “very special” sign of grace during the holy season Fisher recalled Pope John Paul II’s death in 2005 around the Easter season “[John Paul II’s] long suffering was a great sign to us of dignity in suffering and in old age,” Fisher said “[A]nd I think that Pope Francis has given similar witness that he persevered through his old age and sickness kept trying to serve God and serve people to the end,” the prelate added “And for him to die at Easter is very special because this is when we Christians celebrate eternal life,” the archbishop said Argentinian President Javier Milei on Monday said it was a “true honor” to have known Pope Francis who was born in Argentina and who served as the first pope from the Americas “Despite differences that seem minor today having been able to know him in his kindness and wisdom was a true honor for me,” Milei said in a post on X ADIÓS Con profundo dolor me entero esta triste mañana que el Papa Francisco, Jorge Bergoglio, falleció hoy y ya se encuentra descansando en paz. A pesar de diferencias que hoy resultan menores, haber podido conocerlo en su bondad y sabiduría fue un verdadero honor para mí.… pic.twitter.com/3dPPFoNWBr I bid farewell to the Holy Father and stand with all of us who are today dealing with this sad news,” he wrote The European bishops on Monday mourned the passing of Pope Francis by hailing his “desire to bring the joy of the Gospel to the men and women of our time.” “Pope Francis was truly one of the great witnesses of our times beloved and respected even by nonbelievers and whose first concern was always directed toward the most fragile members of God’s creation,” Crociata wrote “His voice spoke to hearts with simplicity and depth “In this jubilee year — one of the Holy Father’s final great efforts — we are grateful to the pope for his constant attention to Europe always urging us to make it better by strengthening its vocation for peace,” the bishop wrote The Eiffel Tower’s lights will remain unlit on Monday evening in memory of Pope Francis after the pontiff’s death earlier in the day.  Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo made the announcement on Monday afternoon praising the pope as “a man of peace and compassion.” The mayor also said that at some point a location in Paris will be designated with Francis’ name in honor of the Holy Father President Donald Trump on Monday asked God to “bless [Pope Francis] and all who loved him” after the Holy Father passed away on Monday morning.  “Rest in Peace Pope Francis!” Trump said in a post on Truth Social. Vice President JD Vance had earlier issued a statement mourning the pontiff’s passing “My heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him,” the vice president said on a post on X European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Monday after the death of Pope Francis that the late pontiff “inspired millions with his humility and love so pure for the less fortunate.” Today, the world mourns the passing of Pope Francis.He inspired millions, far beyond the Catholic Church, with his humility and love so pure for the less fortunate.My thoughts are with all who feel this profound loss.May they find solace in the idea that Pope Francis’… pic.twitter.com/FiI6SASNl8 Expressing condolences to “all who feel this profound loss,” von der Leyen wrote: “May they find solace in the idea that Pope Francis’ legacy will continue to guide us all toward a more just Francis and von der Leyen met several times over the course of his pontificate.  EWTN Chairman of the Board and CEO Michael Warsaw on Monday mourned the passing of Pope Francis calling the pontiff’s death at 88 on Monday a “moment of personal grief for Catholics around the world.” I mourn his passing and join the Church in prayers for the repose of his soul,” Warsaw said in a statement Warsaw said he was “privileged to be able to meet Pope Francis a number of times throughout the years” and was “always struck by his kindness and good humor in our encounters.” Leaders of the German government on Monday mourned Pope Francis’ death hailing him as an “advocate for the weak” and a “sign of hope.” “I greatly appreciated his clear view of the challenges we face,” he said said in a letter to College of Cardinals dean Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re that both Catholic and Protestant Germans “mourn with me for an important pope.” and a convincing Christian,” Steinmeier wrote have touched people all over the world — and given them support Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday that Pope Francis will “always be remembered as a beacon of compassion Modi said on X on Monday morning that he was “deeply pained” by the pope’s passing earlier in the day.  Deeply pained by the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. In this hour of grief and remembrance, my heartfelt condolences to the global Catholic community. Pope Francis will always be remembered as a beacon of compassion, humility and spiritual courage by millions across the… pic.twitter.com/QKod5yTXrB he devoted himself towards realizing the ideals of Lord Christ He diligently served the poor and downtrodden he ignited a spirit of hope,” Modi wrote.  The pope’s “affection for the people of India will always be cherished,” he said.  Britain’s King Charles III on Monday said the Royal Family was “deeply saddened” to learn of Pope Francis’ passing early on Monday morning “His Holiness will be remembered for his compassion 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,” Charles said “His belief that care for creation is an existential expression of faith in God resounded with so many across the world,” the king noted “We send our most heartfelt condolences and profound sympathy to the Church he served with such resolve,” the king said Pope Francis “knew the appeal and the impact of the papacy in all corners of the globe,” Auckland Bishop Steve Lowe said on Monday at the news of the Holy Father’s passing hailing the pope for his global outreach over the course of his pontificate we know the deep love that Pope Francis had for the Catholic faithful scattered across the world,” Lowe the president of the New Zealand Catholic Bishops’ Conference “The Holy Father reminded us of the importance of walking together as the entire people of God — laypeople and clergy — following the path of Jesus,” he said Lowe urges Christians around the world to “join us in lifting up our departed brother in prayer.” Multiple Italian soccer matches have been postponed after Pope Francis died on Monday.  Several football clubs publicly mourned the pope’s passing on Monday morning.  The canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis, the first millennial set to become a saint in the Catholic Church, will be delayed following the death of Pope Francis Acutis’ canonization Mass was set to take place on Sunday The Holy See Press Office said on Monday the canonization had been suspended after the pope’s death earlier in the day The press office did not give a new date for the Mass.  French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday said he and his wife “send our thoughts to all Catholics and to the grieving world” after the news of Pope Francis’ death Pope Francis wanted the Church to bring joy and hope to the poorest,” the president said “May it unite people with each other and with nature May this hope continually revive beyond him.” Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Monday reflected on Pope Francis’ pontificate saying that she and the Holy Father had “a more active relationship” than was publicly seen one that went “well beyond our respective institutional roles.” He was able to give comfort in very difficult moments I have many memories of the pope,” she told the Italian government broadcaster RAI “We say goodbye to the Holy Father with a heart full of sadness,” the prime minister’s office said in an official statement.  The White House on Monday responded to the news of Pope Francis’ death with a brief tweet on X on Monday morning.  including two pictures of President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance meeting the pontiff.  Rest in Peace, Pope Francis. ✝️ pic.twitter.com/8CGwKaNnTh reflecting briefly on his meeting with the pontiff just hours before his death.  I just learned of the passing of Pope Francis My heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him But I’ll always remember him for the below homily he gave in the very early days… Vance said he would “always remember” the pope’s homily delivered on March 27 “It was really quite beautiful,” the vice president said Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) mourned the death of Pope Francis on Monday hailing him for “his outreach to those on the margins of the Church and of society” during his historic pontificate “The passage from this life of the bishop of Rome calls us to pray for his eternal rest and to continue on our path to a deeper union with the Lord Jesus,” Broglio wrote “We remember his leadership in inspiring nations and individuals to a renewed commitment to care for each other and our common home.” bishops “unite in prayer with Catholics here and around the world and all people of goodwill in gratitude for the life of our revered shepherd.” Your monthly donation will help our team continue reporting the truth and fidelity to Jesus Christ and his Church The first Latin American and Jesuit pope was determined to lead a more welcoming and merciful Church outward to a broken world The photos show the pope dressed in red vestments and lying in a simple wooden coffin inside the chapel of the Santa Marta guesthouse CNA is a service of EWTN News, Inc. One of the Catholic Church’s holiest sites has been preparing for an influx of millions of visitors in 2025 when Rome and the Vatican City celebrates its Jubilee Year CNN's Christopher Lamb gets a guided tour of this iconic site including rare access to the tomb of St '+n.escapeExpression("function"==typeof(o=null!=(o=r(e,"eyebrowText")||(null!=l?r(l,"eyebrowText"):l))?o:n.hooks.helperMissing)?o.call(null!=l?l:n.nullContext||{},{name:"eyebrowText",hash:{},data:t,loc:{start:{line:28,column:63},end:{line:28,column:78}}}):o)+" \n '+(null!=(o=c(e,"if").call(r,null!=l?c(l,"cta2PreText"):l,{name:"if",hash:{},fn:n.program(32,t,0),inverse:n.noop,data:t,loc:{start:{line:63,column:20},end:{line:63,column:61}}}))?o:"")+"\n"+(null!=(o=(c(e,"ifAll")||l&&c(l,"ifAll")||n.hooks.helperMissing).call(r,null!=l?c(l,"cta2Text"):l,null!=l?c(l,"cta2Link"):l,{name:"ifAll",hash:{},fn:n.program(34,t,0),inverse:n.noop,data:t,loc:{start:{line:64,column:20},end:{line:70,column:30}}}))?o:"")+" JMU Clashes With Saint Peter's Wednesday Night11/19/2024 10:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball Game Notes JMUSports.com · @JMUWBasketball · #GoDukes A new illumination of the 140 Saint Statues on the Colonnade of St Peter's Square  the installation of 14 "Water Houses" to provide free drinking water to tourists and pilgrims at key points in Rome and an app to facilitate access to the city's water sources These are some of the initiatives that will be  launched on the occasion of the upcoming Jubilee of Hope and environmental services in the Municipality The projects were presented at a press conference in the Vatican on Monday by Acea's top executives along with Monsignor Rino Fisichella the Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization and coordinator of the Jubilee 2025 One of the most important projects carried out was executed by Areti the Group’s company responsible for public and artistic lighting in the Municipality of Rome They renovated and enhanced the lighting of the statues on the colonnade of St the 140 travertine sculptures that stand atop the columns and pillars of the most famous peristyle in the Christian world will be illuminated by 280 next-generation LED projectors which emit energy-efficient light with low environmental impact.  Archbishop Fisichella explained that this is not merely an aesthetic operation but represents  the materialization of a true spiritual dialogue The company has also transformed and enhanced the public LED lighting of St and the chandeliers on the Bernini’s colonnade Acea has installed 14 additional  "Water Houses" at strategic locations in Rome accessible drinking water to the influx of pilgrims and tourists expected during the Jubilee Years along with the existing  2,500 nasoni ( the typical Roman public drinking fountains) Two of these facilities are located near the Vatican Museums and  at the entrance to the Leonine City and will be blessed by Pope Francis on Wednesday  This is a symbolic gesture of great significance because it brings together the many meanings associated with water and renews them: a necessity for life The new “Acquea” App has also been launched This app geolocates over 150,000 water points on a map providing information on the quality of the supplied water in three languages (Italian Acea will support the Jubilee of Adolescents 2025 and is expected to attract more than 100,000 young people aged 12 to 17.  ACEA will promote water conservation awareness through an educational water project in schools Archbishop Fisichella praised the  initiatives expressing gratitude for Acea's support in promoting sustainability.  Thanks for visiting Game Recap: Baseball | 3/23/2025 6:05:00 PM Thanks for visiting