Who is the new Pope and what are his views?
Pope Leo XIII, a US-born Pope, said he looks forward to meeting new US President Donald Trump. “I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. What a great honour for our country, and what can we learn from the first US President?” he tweeted. He added, “I also look forward to meeting Pope Francis, who’s the second Pope from the Augustinian order.”
Crowds of mourners pay their respects to Pope Francis
Pope Francis, who died aged 80, was laid to rest as the second Pope in a basilica in his hometown of Buenos Aires. Argentina’s President Javier Milei and Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar were among the world leaders who attended the funeral. Pope Francis was laid to rest as the second Pope in a basilica in his hometown of Buenos Aires.
How to watch the funeral of Pope Francis
A Swiss Guards regiment has been formed to guard the coffin of Pope Francis who will be buried at the Basilica of St Mary Major in Rome. The regiment will have two guards and a deacon each. The coffin was brought to the basilica from the Vatican, where the late Pope had been laying in state for several days.
Many guests are attending the funeral of Pope Francis
Pope Francis’ funeral will be held at 10 am on Saturday at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome, the Vatican said. Presidents, prime ministers and royalty are preparing to travel to Rome for Pope Francis’ funeral, which will be the most prominent gathering of world leaders since US President Donald Trump’s inauguration in January.
Sylvia Poggioli met Pope Francis while working for NPR
Pope Francis, who passed away on Monday, was the first-ever Latin American pope. He was archbishop of Buenos Aires, Argentina from 2013-2017. In his 12 years as Pope, he took on a number of challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the global financial crisis. Pope Benedict XVI had announced his resignation on Friday after 12 years as Pope.
Insights and conversations about the moment
Pope Francis has apologised for using a homophobic slur at a meeting with an Italian bishop. During the meeting, Francis had said that the training grounds for future priests were too crowded with a crude Italian slur: ‘gginciafroe’ (gay slur). “I sincerely apologise for my comments,” Pope Francis said, adding that he’s “deeply ashamed” of them.