47 m. ago How Pope Francis changed the Catholic church, and what happens next – podcast

Just hours after wishing the world a happy Easter, the 267th head of the Roman Catholic church passed away. What was his legacy and who will take his place? Catherine Pepinster reportsPope Francis was working until the end. On Easter Sunday, the 88-year-old head of the Catholic church offered an Easter greeting to the crowds in St Peter’s Square who had gathered for mass. By the next morning, after months battling pneumonia and bronchitis, he had passed away.From the beginning, the first Latin American pope wanted his papacy to be different. Catherine Pepinster, the former editor of the Tablet, says one of his first notable actions was to go to a prison, rather than a church, to wash people’s feet in the traditional Maundy Thursday rite. It was typical of a pontiff who refused many of the luxuries of his predecessors – from giving up an apartment in the papal palace to only wearing simple leather shoes. Continue reading...

Politics

2 h. ago Returned to the house of the Father: After his final blessing on Easter Sunday, the frail Pope dies of a stroke. Now a battle for the Catholic Church's future begins

As the world united in mourning, manoeuvring began in Rome over the contest to shape the Church over the next decade and guide its billion-plus adherents.

Events

4 h. ago Gwen Stefani takes husband Blake Shelton to church for Easter Sunday after fan backlash over prayer app

Gwen Stefani was seen heading to church with husband Blake Shelton.

Politics

4 h. ago Today show host blames Nicole Kidman for Elizabeth Hurley and Billy Ray Cyrus relationship

Hurley hard-launched her relationship with Cyrus on Easter Sunday

Politics

8 h. ago AP PHOTOS: The last images of Pope Francis, taken at Easter services the day before he died

Francis made his final public appearance on Easter Sunday. He appeared very frail and had delegated the celebration of the Easter Mass to another cardinal. Though his voice was weak, he blessed a crowd of faithful from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica.

Culture

8 h. ago Russell Brand seen attending local church in Florida on Easter Sunday

Despite his scheduled UK court appearance having been charged earlier this month for multiple sexual offences, Russell Brand visited a church near his home in Florida on Easter Sunday.

Politics

8 h. ago Liam Gallagher reveals 'biblical' way he met Noel Gallagher's sons over Easter

Oasis singer Liam Gallagher revealed the 'biblical' way he and his brother Noel, with whom he's going on a reunion tour later this year, spent Easter Sunday

Politics

9 h. ago ‘He was humble and close to the people’: Catholics pay respects to Pope Francis

Worshippers gathered in Rome for the Easter weekend reflect on legacy of pontiff who pushed the limitsBill Nicoletti and his family, from Philadelphia, were among the thousands gathered in St Peter’s Square for Easter Sunday mass when Pope Francis arrived in his open-air popemobile.The vehicle cruised through the square, stopping occasionally for the pontiff to bless babies that were brought towards him, as the delighted crowd shouted “Viva il papa!” (Long live the pope!) Continue reading...

Politics

9 h. ago Internet conspiracy theorists accuse Meghan Markle of 'staging' her Easter duckling video after noticing key detail

The Duchess of Sussex , 43, looked overjoyed on Easter Sunday when she came across a flock of ducks crossing the road in Montecito. But some accused her of setting it up.

Politics

10 h. ago Celebrities pay tribute to Pope Francis: ‘Thank you for being an ally’

Martin Scorsese, Russell Crowe, Whoopi Goldberg and Eva Longoria are among stars remembering late pope who died aged 88Pope Francis tributes – latest updatesNumerous celebrities, many among the nearly 1.3 billion Catholics worldwide, expressed condolences for the late Pope Francis, who died early on Monday – the morning after Easter Sunday – at the age of 88.Martin Scorsese, who has grappled with Catholic faith in several of his films, called Pope Francis, “in every way, a remarkable human being” in a statement to Variety. “He acknowledged his own failings. He radiated wisdom. He radiated goodness. He had an ironclad commitment to the good. He knew in his soul that ignorance was a terrible plague on humanity. So he never stopped learning. And he never stopped enlightening. And, he embraced, preached and practiced forgiveness. Universal and constant forgiveness.” Continue reading...

Politics

10 h. ago Fighting resumes following 'Easter truce' as Ukraine reports nearly 3,000 violations by Russia

The ‘Easter truce’ declared by Vladimir Putin ended at midnight on Easter Sunday

Politics

12 h. ago One day before Pope Francis' death, Vice President Vance received an audience on Easter Sunday

One of Pope Francis’ final encounters before his death was with U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who visited the Vatican over the weekend

Events

12 h. ago Claremont Rambling Club head for Mendick Hill in the Pentlands

The walkers set off on Easter Sunday.

Politics

13 h. ago Death of Pope Francis leaves ‘deep sadness’ in Scotland as leaders pay tribute

The Pope died at the age of 88 came after he emerged from his convalescence on Easter Sunday to bless the thousands of people in St Peter’s Square in Vatican City.

Politics

13 h. ago Easter Sunday scrambler bike crash victim named as tragic teen

Dad-of-one Jason Monks died when the scrambler motorbike he was riding collided with a car.

Events

13 h. ago The Pope’s final Easter mass: A look back just hours before his death

Many people were surprised to see Pope Francis deliver mass on Easter Sunday after some well-documented health problems but the pontiff continued to fulfil his duties - even while experiencing ill-health

Events

14 h. ago Donald Trump effigy shot and burned in Spanish Easter celebrations

An effigy of Donald Trump was marched through the streets before being shot and burned as part of Easter Sunday celebrations in Spain.

Politics

15 h. ago Pope Francis' last public words in full hours before death at the Vatican

Pope Francis' last public words were read in the 'Urbi et Orbi' message on Easter Sunday, just hours before his death was announced

Events

15 h. ago What were Pope Francis' last words hours before death on Easter Sunday?

The late Pope spoke with heart to Vatican crowds prior to his quiet passing

Events

15 h. ago JD Vance joins world tributes to Pope Francis after Easter Sunday meeting

French President Emmanuel Macron said Pope Francis wanted to ‘unite people with one another and with nature’.

Politics