Articles in this Cluster
22-04-2025
Pope Francis died on Monday, hours after a surprise public appearance on Easter Sunday despite doctors’ orders to rest following a 38-day hospital stay for double pneumonia. Determined to return for Easter, he resumed meetings, visited Rome’s Regina Coeli prison on Holy Thursday, met US Vice-President JD Vance, and delivered his final public blessing (Urbi et Orbi) in St Peter’s Square, where he was driven in the popemobile and greeted crowds. He died at Casa Santa Marta, the guesthouse where he chose to live instead of the papal apartments. The Vatican said the cause was a stroke and irreversible heart failure. Cardinals will now gather in Rome for the conclave to choose his successor, as Catholics worldwide pray and pay respects.
Entities: Pope Francis, Vatican, Easter, St Peter’s Square, Casa Santa Marta • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
22-04-2025
The Vatican postponed the canonization of Carlo Acutis, who would be the first millennial saint, by at least a week following Pope Francis’ death. Initially set for April 27, the ceremony is now planned for next Sunday in St. Peter’s Square during the Jubilee celebration of adolescents. Acutis, a London-born Italian who died of leukemia at 15 in 2006, was known for using his tech skills to document Eucharistic miracles and manage church websites. He was declared venerable in 2018 and beatified in 2020 after a recognized miracle; a second miracle attributed to him in 2024 led to approval for canonization in July 2024. Pilgrims have been flocking to Assisi, where his body lies in a shrine.
Entities: Carlo Acutis, Pope Francis, The Vatican, St. Peter’s Square, Assisi • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: neutral • Intent: inform
22-04-2025
Pope Francis died at 88 from a cerebral stroke leading to coma and irreversible heart failure, the Vatican said. His death followed years of significant health issues, including lung complications from a youthful surgery, recurrent respiratory illnesses, multiple hospitalizations for bronchitis and double pneumonia, and abdominal surgeries in 2021 and 2023. Earlier in 2025, he endured a prolonged hospitalization marked by polymicrobial respiratory infection, bilateral pneumonia, episodes of acute respiratory failure, kidney insufficiency that later improved, and a severe setback after inhaling vomit during a bronchospasm. Despite gradual recovery and discharge after five weeks, his underlying conditions culminated in the fatal stroke and heart failure.
Entities: Pope Francis, Vatican, cerebral stroke, irreversible heart failure, respiratory infection • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: neutral • Intent: inform
22-04-2025
Pope Francis, who died at 88 from a stroke and heart failure, left a will dated June 29, 2022, specifying only his burial wishes. He asked to be interred in the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, where he prayed before and after his travels, in a simple in-earth tomb between the Pauline and Sforza chapels, marked only with “Franciscus.” He entrusted his life to the Virgin Mary, arranged funding for the burial, and offered his late-life suffering for world peace and human fraternity.
Entities: Pope Francis, CBS News, Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, Rome, Virgin Mary • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: neutral • Intent: inform
22-04-2025
A day before his death, Pope Francis made a final public appearance on Easter Sunday at St. Peter’s Square. Due to health struggles, an aide delivered most of his message, in which he condemned policies that foster contempt for the vulnerable and migrants, called for a ceasefire in Gaza, the release of Israeli hostages, and peace in Ukraine. He briefly greeted the crowd in his own voice, appeared without oxygen tubes, and rode in the popemobile, stopping to bless babies despite doctors’ orders to rest following a recent hospitalization for severe pneumonia. He had gradually resumed limited public duties, including a Holy Thursday prison visit, and met briefly with U.S. Vice President JD Vance that day. An aide said Francis continued working because he wished to “die on the battlefield.”
Entities: Pope Francis, St. Peter’s Square, Gaza, Israeli hostages, Ukraine • Tone: urgent • Sentiment: somber • Intent: inform
22-04-2025
Pope Francis’ death triggers a structured Vatican process. The Cardinal Camerlengo confirms the death, announces it, and symbolically ends the pontificate by breaking the Fisherman’s Ring and seal. Francis will lie in state in St. Peter’s Basilica, followed by a nine-day mourning period (Novemdiales). His funeral, held 4–6 days after death and likely in St. Peter’s Square, includes preparation, viewing, and burial; he requested a simple wooden casket and burial at St. Mary Major Basilica in Rome. During Novemdiales, cardinals convene “General Congregations.” Between 15–20 days after death, the conclave begins: up to 135 cardinals under age 80 vote in the Sistine Chapel until one achieves a two-thirds-plus-one majority, with black smoke signaling no decision and white smoke indicating a new pope.
Entities: Pope Francis, Vatican, Cardinal Camerlengo, Fisherman’s Ring, St. Peter’s Basilica • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: neutral • Intent: inform
22-04-2025
Pope Francis’ open casket lies in the Casa Santa Marta at the Vatican as mourning rites continue. The Vatican says his coffin will be moved to St. Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday for lying in state before the funeral. In his final testament, he requested a simple ground burial at Rome’s Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, departing from the tradition of burial at St. Peter’s.
Entities: Pope Francis, Vatican, Casa Santa Marta, St. Peter’s Basilica, Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: neutral • Intent: inform
22-04-2025
Pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday of a heart attack and stroke, is lying in state in an open wooden coffin at St. Peter’s Basilica, where mourners can pay respects for three days. His funeral is scheduled for Saturday at 10 a.m. local time in St. Peter’s Square, with the coffin sealed Friday evening by Cardinal Kevin Farrell. The liturgy will be presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, with the service largely outdoors before the coffin returns inside the basilica after the Eucharist, commendation, and valediction. In keeping with Francis’ revisions to papal rites, the ceremony emphasizes simplicity—eschewing multiple coffins and grandiose elements—to reflect his pastoral focus. The College of Cardinals will then prepare to convene to select his successor.
Entities: Pope Francis, St. Peter’s Basilica, St. Peter’s Square, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: neutral • Intent: inform
22-04-2025
Shortly after his 2013 election, Pope Francis chose Rome’s Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore as his burial site, reflecting his deep personal devotion and family ties to the church. He often prayed there before trips and made his first public appearance as pope at the basilica. Scholars note he set his wishes early due to his age at election and uncertainty about the length of his papacy. The article also recounts his family’s escape from fascist Italy to Argentina and a near-miss with a doomed ship, underscoring the family history that shaped him. The Vatican announced he died on April 21, 2025, the day after Easter.
Entities: Pope Francis, Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, Rome, The Vatican, Fox News • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: neutral • Intent: inform
22-04-2025
Pope Francis, who died at 88 from a stroke that led to heart failure, left a 2022 will requesting a simple burial at the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, not St. Peter’s. He asked to be interred in the earth with minimal decorum and only the inscription “Franciscus,” in a specific aisle between the Pauline and Sforza chapels. Burial costs were prearranged with a benefactor. His will reflects lifelong devotion to Mary and offers his final sufferings for world peace and fraternity. Vatican officials noted he also had respiratory issues, bilateral pneumonia, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension. He was elected pope in 2013, the first Jesuit pontiff, with his last public appearance on Easter Sunday.
Entities: Pope Francis, Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican, Pauline Chapel • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: neutral • Intent: inform
22-04-2025
World leaders and public figures mourned Pope Francis after his death at 88. Former President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance (who met Francis on Easter), and the White House offered condolences. King Charles III praised Francis’ compassion, unity efforts, and environmental focus; UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer lauded his pursuit of fairness. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen highlighted his humility and advocacy for the poor. India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi remembered his devotion to the marginalized and ties with India. Israel’s President Isaac Herzog honored his interfaith outreach and prayers for Middle East peace. France’s President Emmanuel Macron emphasized Francis’ mission to bring joy and hope to the poor and to unite people with nature. Crowds gathered worldwide to mourn, and attention turned to the coming conclave.
Entities: Pope Francis, Donald Trump, JD Vance, King Charles III, Keir Starmer • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: neutral • Intent: inform
22-04-2025
The Vatican said Pope Francis, 88, died from a cerebral stroke that led to a coma and irreversible heart failure. His final testament requested a simple burial “in the ground” with the inscription “Franciscus,” at Rome’s Basilica of Saint Mary Major rather than St Peter’s. An anonymous benefactor will cover funeral costs, and his coffin may be moved to St Peter’s Basilica for public viewing as early as Wednesday. Francis had longstanding health issues, including chronic lung disease, and was hospitalized in February with a respiratory crisis that became double pneumonia, though he appeared publicly on Easter Sunday. Seven days of mourning will be observed in Argentina and Brazil. World leaders, including King Charles and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, paid tribute, and cardinals are meeting to set the funeral timetable, expected between Friday and Sunday.
Entities: Pope Francis, Vatican, Basilica of Saint Mary Major, St Peter’s Basilica, Argentina • Tone: urgent • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
22-04-2025
Pope Francis has released his final testament outlining his burial wishes, asking to be buried "in the ground, without particular ornamentation" with the inscription "Franciscus" in the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major, a site he held dear due to its association with the Virgin Mary. The Pope, who died at 88, specified that his tomb should be simple and in a burial niche between the Pauline Chapel and the Sforza Chapel, and that the cost of preparation should be covered by a benefactor.
Entities: Pope Francis, final testament, burial wishes, Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major, Virgin Mary • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: neutral • Intent: inform
22-04-2025
The death of Pope Francis triggers formal Vatican procedures led by the camerlengo, who verifies his death, seals the papal apartments, and destroys the papal signet ring and seal. The death is then communicated to church and state officials before being announced publicly, with St Peter’s bells tolling. Francis requested burial at Rome’s Basilica of St Mary Major in a simple wooden casket; papal funerals typically occur 4–6 days after death. Between 15 and 20 days later, cardinals under 80 convene in a secret conclave to elect a successor, requiring a two‑thirds majority. Ballots are burned after each vote—black smoke signals no decision, white smoke indicates a new pope—followed by the traditional “Habemus papam” proclamation and the new pope’s first blessing.
Entities: Pope Francis, Vatican, camerlengo, St Peter’s Basilica bells, Basilica of St Mary Major • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: neutral • Intent: inform
22-04-2025
Pope Francis died at 88, having requested a simple burial: a single coffin and an undecorated grave at Rome’s Basilica of St. Mary Major inscribed “Franciscus.” Cardinals, summoned by the dean Giovanni Battista Re, begin meetings Tuesday to set funeral plans, likely moving Francis’s remains to St. Peter’s Basilica as early as Wednesday, with entombment typically 4–6 days after death and nine days of rites. A conclave of 135 voting cardinals (under age 80) will convene after the funeral to elect his successor. World leaders, including President Trump, are expected at the funeral. Francis is remembered for outreach to L.G.B.T.Q. people, migrants, and the marginalized, his climate and social justice advocacy, and for reshaping the church’s hierarchy by appointing thousands of bishops and over half the College of Cardinals. Conservatives within the church see his death as a chance for a reset, setting up a pivotal choice about the church’s future direction. Memorial Masses are being held worldwide, reflecting his broad impact. The Vatican said he died of a cerebral stroke.
Entities: Pope Francis, College of Cardinals, Giovanni Battista Re, St. Peter’s Basilica, Basilica of St. Mary Major • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: neutral • Intent: inform
