54 m. ago ‘A signal of simplicity’: Pope Francis’s funeral will be his final humble gesture

One of pontiff’s last acts was to simplify papal rites, stripping away elaborate rituals and scaling back processionLatest updates: tributes paid after Pope Francis dies aged 88When the late Pope Francis stepped on to the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica to give his first speech as leader of the Catholic church in March 2013, he cast away formality by dressing in simple white robes instead of the regal ermine-trimmed cape usually worn by newly elected pontiffs.The next day, Francis – a name chosen in honour of Francis of Assisi, the Italian saint who renounced a life of luxury to help the poor – returned to the Rome hotel in which he had stayed before the conclave to pick up his luggage and pay his bill. He substituted a plush apostolic apartment for a simple room within the Vatican walls and, unlike his predecessors, did not spend his summers in Castel Gandolfo, an opulent 12th-century fortress close to Rome. Continue reading...

Politics

3 h. ago Weeping mourners come together at vigils across the globe for Pope Francis in the wake of his death aged 88

Thousands of mourners have tonight gathered for a Rosary prayer vigil in front of St Peter's Basilica, at the Vatican, to commemorate the life of Pope Francis, who died at the age of 88. 

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5 h. ago Leonardo DiCaprio pays emotional tribute to Pope Francis after his death at 88

Pope Francis died Monday at age 88 following a stroke, which led to a coma and heart failure, and celebrities, including Leonardo DiCaprio and Lionel Messi, have paid tribute to the man

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5 h. ago Cardinals to meet for first time since Pope’s death to confirm funeral details

Pope Francis, 88, died after a cerebral stroke that led to a coma and irreversible heart failure.

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6 h. ago Pope Francis’ approach did not win him friends within the church bureaucracy. But he lit the path for us all | Francis Sullivan

While his legacy in confronting the sex abuse scandal is still incomplete, Francis demonstrated that change is possible and mercy can be realPope Francis, groundbreaking Jesuit pontiff, diesPotential candidates to succeed Pope FrancisEarly in his papacy Pope Francis said the name for God is mercy. He understood the church had become too doctrinaire, divisive and judgmental for too many people. The drift of Catholics from conventional practice in the west said as much. He knew the church had alienated the LGBTQ community, discriminated against women and resisted full participation for divorced and remarried Catholics. He acknowledged that previous popes had not confronted the clerical sex abuse scandal. He wanted to do better and the Catholic world was with him, the institution was not.The Catholic church by its nature is a conservative institution. It uses inertia as a management tool. Change is a slow and drawn-out affair. Francis regularly railed against clericalism because of its...

Politics

7 h. ago Nostradamus's eerie prediction of Pope Francis's death and future of Catholic Church

Pope Francis died of a stroke today and astrologers are claiming that Nostradamus made a prophecy nearly 500 years ago about his death - and the future of the Catholic Church

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7 h. ago Family of Pope Francis tells world to 'love more' in tribute after he died of heart failure

Pope Francis's grandniece has paid tribute to the late Pontiff and his 'profoundly human perspective' as the Vatican released his official cause of death at the age of 88

Events

8 h. ago Donald Trump announces he will attend Pope Francis' funeral with Melania

Donald Trump has confirmed he and First Lady Melania will attend Pope Francis' funeral after he died of a cerebral stroke and heart failure in the early hours of Easter Monday

Politics

8 h. ago Pope Francis latest: Catholic leader died of a stroke and irreversible heart failure, Vatican confirms

A statement released by the Holy See said his death was confirmed using an echocardiogram

Events

8 h. ago Pope Francis' final hours after defying doctors to the end as death certificate revealed

After a lengthy health battle, Pope Francis died aged 88 on Monday morning from a cerebral stroke that led to a coma and irreversible heart failure.

Events

8 h. ago Pope Francis's final testament released by Vatican reveals burial wishes

Pope Francis died following a stroke aged 88 on Easter Monday just a day after greeting crowds in Vatican City and now his final testament has released by the Vatican

Economics

9 h. ago Five things that happen when a Pope dies that most people won't know

After Pope Francis died this morning, the eyes of the world will turn to his potential successor. Here are five things that must happen between now and the election of a new pontiff

Events

9 h. ago Pope Francis latest: Pontiff died of stroke and heart failure, Vatican says while world pays tribute

A statement released by the Holy See said his death was confirmed using an echocardiogram

Events

9 h. ago Pope Francis' final hours and how he defied doctors to the end as full death certificate revealed

After a lengthy health battle, Pope Francis died aged 88 on Monday morning from a cerebral stroke that led to a coma and irreversible heart failure - triggering a nine-day mourning period

Events

9 h. ago Pope Francis dead: King leads tributes as Head of Catholic church passes away aged 88 of 'stroke and heart failure'

Pope Francis died at 7.35am on Monday morning

Events

10 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

10 h. ago Pope Francis died of stroke and heart failure, Vatican doctor says, as tributes pour in for pontiff – latest updates

Pope Francis, history’s first Latin American pontiff who was revered by millions of Catholics around the world, has died aged 88Pope Francis, groundbreaking Jesuit pontiff, diesPotential candidates to succeed Pope FrancisPope Francis: share your tributesThe Archbishop of York has paid tribute to Pope Francis as “holy man of God” who was “also very human”, PA News reports.In a statement on X, Stephen Cottrell said:Francis’s whole life and ministry was centred on Jesus who comes among us not to be served, but to serve.We saw that compellingly in Francis’s service of the poor his love of neighbour, especially the displaced, migrant; the asylum seeker, his deep compassion for the well-being of the earth and his desire to lead and build the church in new ways.I remember, in the brief times spent with him, how this holy man of God, was also very human.He was witty, lively, good to be with, and the warmth of his personality and interest in others shone out from him. Continue reading...

Events

10 h. ago Pope Francis cause of death revealed as Vatican releases death certificate

The Vatican has revealed how Pope Francis died at age 88 on Easter Monday - just a day after greeting crowds in Vatican City.

Economics

10 h. ago Pope Francis latest: Vatican announces cause of death while tributes pour in from around the world

King Charles says he and Queen ‘deeply saddened’ by Pope Francis’ death

Events

10 h. ago Pope Francis' cause of death announced as first Latin American pontiff dies aged 88

His death was announced this morning

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