44 h. ago The Guardian view on Pope Francis: protecting a progressive legacy | Editorial

The pontiff is off the critical list and stable. But his achievements will need to be safeguarded in an inevitable power struggle to comeThe release on Sunday of the first photograph of Pope Francis since his admission to the Gemelli hospital in Rome was an uplifting moment for the world’s 1.3 billion Catholics. In a message published by the Vatican, he said that he continued to feel “fragile” and was “facing a period of trial”. But after battling pneumonia in both lungs for more than a month, he is now off the critical list.How long the 88-year-old pontiff is able to carry on in St Peter’s chair, though, is another matter. Rumours have inevitably swirled regarding a possible resignation – following the precedent set by his predecessor, Benedict XVI. Though he has overcome multiple health issues to pursue an active and dynamic papacy, a prolonged period of illness may lead him to contemplate stepping down if he can no longer carry out a pastoral role effectively....

Politics

3 d. ago The move that proves Francis intends to continue his papacy, despite health troubles

It’s a clear sign he intends to remain as head of the Catholic Church

Events

6 d. ago Pope Francis health latest: Vatican issues positive update on 12th anniversary of papacy

Pontiff spent ‘tranquil’ night in hospital as he prepares to mark 12th anniversary of papacy, the Vatican said

Politics

9 d. ago Pope Francis health update: Questions are raised over the future of his papacy as the pontiff remains in hospital after he was deemed too ill to be shown during video conference

The Pope remains in Rome's Gemelli hospital, where he was admitted on February 14, ahead of the 12th anniversary of his election on Thursday.

Culture

3 w. ago ‘We’ve been the worst this year,’ Guardiola says after Real Madrid thrashing

Manchester City manager vows to stay on at club‘We have to try step by step to get better again’In the final minutes of Manchester City’s destruction by Real Madrid thanks to Kylian Mbappé’s hat-trick on Wednesday night, the Santiago Bernabéu crowd broke off from roaring “olé” at every pass, wedged its collective tongue in its cheek and pleaded with Pep Guardiola to stay.As it turned out, that was another wish they had granted here, the City manager confirming that he intends to continue at the Etihad Stadium next season. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Journalists launch legal action against Italian government over spyware claims

Union submits criminal complaint to prosecutors as ministers refuse to answer questions about alleged hacksItaly’s national union for journalists has submitted a criminal complaint to prosecutors in Rome after Giorgia Meloni’s government shut down questions in parliament over suspicions it had illegally used spyware technology to hack the phones of critics instead of criminals.The legal action on Wednesday was triggered by the absence of clarity from the government since revelations emerged in late January that a migrant activist and Francesco Cancellato, an investigative journalist, were among at least seven people in Italy whose mobile phones had been targeted by an entity using Graphite, a military-grade spyware produced by the Israel-based Paragon, which is intended for use on criminals. Continue reading...

Politics

last month 'Why should we invite them?': Lavrov ridicules European presence at Ukraine peace talks – video

Russia's foreign minister has dismissed the prospect of a place for Europe at talks between the US and Russia to end the fighting in Ukraine. Speaking at a press conference alongside his Serbian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov said: 'If they are going to weasel out some cunning ideas about freezing the conflict, while actually intending – as is their custom, nature and habit – to continue the war, then why should we invite them at all?'European leaders have been unnerved by the willingness of Donald Trump, the US president, to engage the Kremlin directly over Ukraine and have been attempting to find a place for themselves in the talksEurope live – latest updates Continue reading...

Politics

last month ‘No safe place’: the BBC documentary showing Gaza through a child’s eyes

BBC Two’s Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone gathers intimate footage of three children surviving in the besieged strip“Have you ever wondered what you’d do if your world is destroyed?” asks 13-year-old Abdullah, speaking at the beginning of an intimate BBC Two documentary, Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone, that airs on Monday night. “Most important, could you stay alive? After all this, you could say we’re experts.”Abdullah, now 14 and heading back to his prewar home in the north of the shattered territory, is the English-speaking narrator – one of three children whose stories of hope and endurance are at the heart of an hour-long film, a distinctive and deliberate choice intended to make the film resonate after 15 months of war. Continue reading...

Culture