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India marks a final day of mourning for Pope Francis with flags at half-mast and no official events, reflecting worldwide respect for his legacy.

India Honors Pope Francis with State Mourning

India observes the final day of mourning for Pope Francis, honoring his legacy with flags flown at half-mast and the cancellation of official events nationwide, joining a global tribute for the late pontiff.

India marks a final day of mourning for Pope Francis

India observes final mourning day for Pope Francis with flags at half-mast and cancelled official events, marking respect during his global farewell.

The third and final day of state mourning declared as a mark of respect for Pope Francis will be held on Saturday when his funeral mass and burial are carried out, the government said.
The National Flag will be flown at half mast throughout India on all buildings and there will be no official entertainment on the day, an official statement issued Thursday said.
"The Government of India had announced three-day state mourning as a mark of respect on the passing away of His Holiness Pope Francis, Supreme Pontiff of the Holy See. Two days' state mourning was observed on April 22 and April 23, 2025 and one day's state mourning will be observed on the day of the funeral," it said.
Pope Francis, the first non-European Pope in nearly 1,300 years, died on April 21 aged 88. He was diagnosed with double pneumonia.

Successor to Pope Francis to be elected by a diverse conclave of cardinals, reflecting global Catholicism's future direction.

Future of Papacy after the demise of Pope Francis

In the wake of Pope Francis's death, the upcoming conclave of cardinals represents a pivotal moment for the Catholic Church, potentially ushering in a leader reflecting Francis’s global vision.

After Pope’s passing, succession talks begin worldwide

Following Pope Francis&rsquo;s death, the Vatican prepares for the secret conclave to elect a new pope, spotlighting the international cardinals nurtured by Francis, aiming beyond European borders.

With the death of Pope Francis, announced by the Vatican on Monday, Roman Catholics worldwide are poised to speculate on which of the red-robed cardinals will succeed him. Given Pope Francis&rsquo;s distinctive approach to appointing cardinals during his papacy, there is anticipation that the next pope could also be non-European, and perhaps, like Francis, progressive in his stance, often opposing the Church's conservative wing.
The election process that follows a papal death is highly confidential. It will culminate with white smoke emerging from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, signifying the selection of a new pope. Cardinals&mdash;key collaborators of the pope, managing crucial Vatican departments and dioceses globally&mdash;convene in a secret conclave to elect a new leader for the Roman Catholic Church's nearly 1.4 billion members if they are younger than 80.
This intricate voting process will indicate whether the current cardinals, many appointed by Pope Francis, favor his liberal social values and reformist agenda or if they feel the Church needs a period of consolidation.
The cardinals will set the start date for the conclave upon their arrival in Rome. Appointed exclusively by a pope, cardinals carry his legacy, as they are influential senior clerics and potential pontiff candidates. As of April 21, the Vatican reported 252 cardinals, 135 of whom are eligible electors.
Of these, 108 were appointed by Francis, 22 by Benedict, and five by John Paul II. Cardinals are formally instated in ceremonies called consistories, where they receive their ring, a red biretta, and pledge to the pope, signifying their loyalty through the color red, which represents their willingness to sacrifice for the Church.
Pope Francis convened 10 consistories, each increasing the likelihood of a non-European successor by bolstering the representation of the Church in regions where Catholicism is either a growing minority or where it is expanding more rapidly than in the largely stagnant Western world.
Historically, most cardinals were Italian, except during the 1309-1377 Avignon Papacy when many were French.
The internationalization of the College of Cardinals was initiated by Paul VI (1963-1978) and greatly expanded by John Paul II (1978-2005), the first non-Italian pope in 455 years.
While Europe still holds the largest share of cardinal electors at about 39%, this has decreased from 52% in 2013 when Francis, the first Latin American pope, was elected. The second largest bloc of electors now hails from Asia and Oceania, comprising about 20%.
A SHIFT FROM EURO-CENTRICITY &nbsp; Francis appointed more than 20 cardinals from countries that had never had representation, focusing on developing nations like Rwanda, Cape Verde, Tonga, Myanmar, Mongolia, and South Sudan, as well as places with few Catholics like Sweden.
He strategically bypassed certain European vacancies, such as in major cities, to emphasize that the Church should not be overly Euro-centric. In the United States, he overlooked dioceses like Los Angeles and San Francisco, seemingly due to their conservative leadership.
Robert McElroy, the Archbishop of Washington as of March, is known as a progressive and vocal supporter of Francis's priorities, including environmental protection and a more inclusive approach to LGBTQ Catholics.
A PAPACY'S INFLUENCE &nbsp; A pope&rsquo;s appointments can increase the chances of a successor with similar church and societal perspectives. However, the cardinals might choose someone with differing theological views if they believe that person is better suited to the Church's internal dynamics or the historical context of the election.
Pope Benedict succeeded John Paul II partly due to his long association with him and the desire for continuity. However, after the "Vatileaks" scandal revealed administrative issues under Italian oversight, many cardinals felt an "outsider" was needed and chose Argentina&rsquo;s Jorge Mario Bergoglio&mdash;the first non-European pope in nearly 1,300 years.
Older cardinals, despite being ineligible for the conclave, can influence the decision. They attend General Congregations before the conclave, where the qualities needed in the new pope are discussed.

Telangana CM Reddy mourns Pope Francis, praising his dedication to social justice and global unity. Pope Francis, admired for his compassion, leaves a legacy of advocacy for the marginalized.

Telangana CM Mourns Pope Francis' Passing

Telangana CM Reddy mourns the demise of Pope Francis, a leader known for his compassion and advocacy for social justice, climate awareness, and global unity. A profound loss to the world.

Telangana CM Revanth Reddy mourns the demise of Pope Francis

Telangana CM Reddy mourns Pope Francis' demise, praising his dedication to social justice, climate change, and global unity. Pope Francis, at 88, was admired for compassion and advocacy for the marginalized.

Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Monday condoled the demise of Pope Francis, lauding his tireless efforts in championing the cause of social justice and fighting global inequalities.
The Pope's inclusive and compassionate approach had left an indelible mark on the world, he said.
Describing the departed pontiff as a towering spiritual figure, the chief minister said Pope Francis dedicated his entire life to the service of the Church and humanity.
In a message, Reddy praised the Pope&rsquo;s commitment to interfaith harmony, advocacy for climate change awareness, and his vision of a world united in global solidarity.
Describing the passing of Pope Francis as an irreparable loss to humanity, Reddy conveyed his deepest condolences to the Pope's family and the global Catholic community.
History's first Latin American pontiff, who charmed the world with his humble style and concern for the poor but alienated conservatives with critiques of capitalism and climate change, Pope Francis died on Monday at the age of 88.

After announcing Pope Francis's death, the Vatican initiates rituals marking the transition to a new papacy, including public viewing, mourning, and a conclave. Cardinal Farrell directs preparations, while the College of Cardinals handles Church operations.

Pope Francis' Passing: Church Rituals Explained

The Vatican confirms Pope Francis's death, sparking time-honored rituals for transitioning to a new papacy. Cardinal Farrell oversees preparations, including the destruction of the Fisherman's Ring and a nine-day mourning period, with an upcoming conclave for election.

What next after the death of Pope Francis?

The Vatican confirms Pope Francis's death, initiating traditional rituals for papal transition. Cardinal Farrell leads preparations for public viewing, mourning, and funeral, while the College of Cardinals manages operations until a new pope is elected.

Following the announced passing of Pope Francis by the Vatican on Monday, a series of time-honored traditions mark the transition from one papacy to the next in the Roman Catholic Church.
First, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the camerlengo, will officially confirm the Pope's death. He is responsible for sealing the Pope's private apartment and organizing the funeral preparations.
A critical task for the camerlengo and his three assistants is deciding when the late Pope's coffin will be displayed for public viewing in St. Peter's Basilica. They will also ensure that the Pope's "Fisherman's Ring" and lead seal are destroyed to prevent misuse. In line with custom, no autopsy will be conducted.
The Church will observe nine days of mourning, with the funeral's date to be set by the cardinals, typically occurring four to six days post-mortem. Unlike many former popes, Pope Francis expressed his wish not to be interred in St. Peter's Basilica's crypt, but rather in St. Mary Major Basilica in Rome, and requested a simple wooden casket for his burial.
During this period, the College of Cardinals manages the Church's daily operations, though with restricted authority, leading to a temporary slowdown in central administration.
The conclave to elect a new pope will commence in the Sistine Chapel, occurring between 15 to 20 days after the Pope's death, with the precise start date determined by the cardinals. Participating in the secretive ballot are all cardinals under the age of 80, necessitating a two-thirds plus one vote majority to elect the new pope. The election process may involve multiple rounds over several days. Upon election, the new pope is asked to confirm his acceptance and declare his chosen papal name.
The successful election is communicated to the world through the burning of ballots with chemicals that produce white smoke from the chapel's chimney. Black smoke, meanwhile, signifies an inconclusive vote.
Next, the dean of the College of Cardinals will announce "Habemus Papam" (We have a pope) from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, introducing the new pope, who will offer his blessing to the gathered crowd in the square.

Pope Francis has died at 88. Remembered for his humility and reforms, he led the Catholic Church with compassion. Tributes flow globally as the Vatican and believers mourn his passing. His legacy of inclusivity and justice will endure.

Pope Francis Dies at 88, Vatican Confirms

The Vatican announces the death of Pope Francis at 88. Known for progressive reforms and his compassionate leadership, his passing marks a significant moment for the Catholic Church and its followers. Tributes honor his lasting influence.

Pope Francis dies aged 88

Pope Francis has passed away at 88, leaving behind a legacy of compassion and reform within the Catholic Church.

Pope Francis, an energetic reformer who inspired widespread devotion from Catholics but riled traditionalists, died on Monday aged 88.
The Argentine pontiff, leader of the Catholic Church since March 2013, spent 38 days being treated for double pneumonia at Rome's Gemelli hospital before seeming to recover and leaving the facility on March 23.
His death came just a day after he delighted the crowds of worshippers at the Vatican on Easter Sunday with an appearance on the balcony at Saint Peter's Basilica.
"Dearest brothers and sisters, it is with deep sorrow that I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis," said Cardinal Kevin Farrell in the statement published by the Vatican on its Telegram channel.
"This morning at 7:35 am (0535 GMT) the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father.
"His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and His church."
His death sets in motion centuries-old traditions that will culminate in the gathering of a conclave of cardinals to choose a successor.
In the meantime, the day-to-day running of the tiny Vatican City state will be handled by the camerlengo, a senior cardinal, currently Dublin-born Kevin Farrell.
 - 'Humble pastor' -
Francis, whose real name was Jorge Bergoglio, was the first Jesuit to lead the world's almost 1.4 billion Catholics and the first from the Americas.
He took over after Benedict XVI became the first pontiff since the Middle Ages to step down -- and cut a sharply different figure from the German theologian.
A football-loving former archbishop of Buenos Aires who was often happiest among his flock, Francis sought to forge a more open and compassionate church.
He strongly defended social justice, the rights of migrants and the environment, while also pushing through governance reforms and tackling the scourge of clerical sex abuse of children.
But critics accused him of creating doctrinal confusion and failing to defend traditional Catholic beliefs on key issues such as abortion and divorce.
Francis's desire to chart a different path was evident right to the end, with his decision to be buried not in St Peter's Basilica but in Rome's Santa Maria Maggiore basilica.
He will become the first pope in more than 100 years to be laid to rest outside the Vatican.
Francis also rejected the tradition of popes having three coffins, instead choosing to buried in just one, made of wood and zinc, to reflect his role as a humble pastor.
 - Health issues -
Francis had left open the possibility of stepping down if he felt unable to do his job, following the example of Benedict, who quit citing his ailing health.
But he insisted for years that time had not yet come, and maintained a busy schedule, right up to hosting the prime minister of Slovakia shortly before his hospital admission.
Francis, who had part of his lung removed as a young man, was visibly breathless in the days before going to the Gemelli, delegating aides to read his homilies at public audiences.
Questions will now be asked whether the pontiff, known for being stubborn and refusing to take rest, should have been admitted to hospital earlier.
Even after he was released from hospital and ordered to rest for two months, Francis did not wait long before making public appearances.
He had been hospitalised with a respiratory infection in March 2023. That same year he also underwent surgery for a hernia, and in 2021 he had colon surgery.
He suffered knee pain that required him to use a wheelchair, and had fallen twice in recent months.
Yet he never took a day off and made frequent trips abroad, including a four-nation Asia-Pacific tour only last September.
Huge crowds gathered wherever he went, a testament to his popularity and human touch, which saw him finish his Sunday Angelus prayer each week urging followers to pray for him and to have a good lunch.
 - Who am I to judge? -
When Francis took over, the Catholic Church was mired in infighting and beset by a global scandal over clerical sex abuse of children and decades of cover-ups.
He promised an end to impunity and changed Vatican law to help tackle abuse, though victims said he could have gone further.
More widely, he initiated a major shake-up of the Vatican's powerful governing body, including improving financial responsibility and allowing lay Catholics to lead Vatican offices.
Throughout his papacy, Francis championed the poor and vulnerable and emphasised love over doctrine.
"If someone is gay and is searching for the Lord and has good will, then who am I to judge him?" he said at the start of his papacy.
However, his detractors accused him of failing to uphold established Church doctrine, and his final months were marked by increasingly outspoken attacks by senior cardinals.
Tensions with conservative Catholics marked the Synod congress that met at the Vatican at the end of 2023, part of a years-long global consultation on the future of the church -- that Francis now leaves unfinished.

Pope Francis has passed away at 88, initiating the Vatican's interregnum. The Catholic Church faces a profound transition as cardinals convene for the papal conclave to elect a new pope, with the world watching for the symbolic smoke signal.

Pope Francis Dies at 88: Vatican's New Chapter

Pope Francis's death marks the beginning of the Vatican's interregnum. The Catholic Church commences this transitional phase as cardinals prepare to elect a new pope. Watch for the iconic smoke signal from the Sistine Chapel.

Pope Francis has passed away at 88, initiating the Vatican's interregnum

Pope Francis, 88, has died, marking the start of the Vatican's interregnum. Tradition and ritual guide the Church as Cardinals prepare for the conclave to elect a new pope, concluding with the announcement from St. Peter&rsquo;s.

In a somber moment for the global Catholic community, Pope Francis has died at the age of 88. After battling numerous age-related health issues and spending over a month in the hospital, his passing marks the end of an era while ushering the Vatican into an interregnum phase. During this period, the intricate process of selecting a new pope begins, leaving the highest position within the Catholic Church temporarily vacant.
Procedures following the Pope&rsquo;s passing
Upon a pope's death, the Vatican enters the interregnum, the interval between papacies. Traditionally, this process begins with the camerlengo, the Vatican's administrator responsible for property and revenues, confirming the pope's passing. This involves calling out the pope&rsquo;s baptismal name three times. The historical ritual of tapping the pope's forehead with a small silver hammer, however, was discontinued after 1963.
The Vatican then communicates the solemn news to the world via its official channels.
Next, the papal apartment is ceremonially sealed by the camerlengo&mdash;a practice originally intended to prevent looting. The camerlengo also oversees the symbolic destruction of the Fisherman's Ring and the pope&rsquo;s official seal, signifying the end of his papal authority.
According to the constitution *Universi Dominici Gregis*, which outlines the papal transition procedure, the pope's funeral must take place within 4 to 6 days of his death. Traditionally, the pope is laid to rest at St. Peter&rsquo;s Basilica, unless he has indicated a different final resting place. A prescribed nine-day mourning period follows the funeral.
Selection of a new Pope**
The papal conclave, tasked with electing the new pope, commences approximately 15 to 20 days after the pope&rsquo;s death. Cardinals under the age of 80 convene at the Vatican to undertake this secretive and sacred responsibility. Inside the hallowed walls of the Sistine Chapel, they are isolated from the outside world, devoid of media or phone contact.
The cardinals engage in several voting rounds, each followed by the burning of ballots. The world watches for the symbolic smoke from the chapel chimney: black indicating deliberation continues, and white heralding the successful election of a new pope.
Proclaiming the new Pope
Upon election, the chosen candidate is formally asked to accept the papal mantle. If he consents, he selects a new papal name, often inspired by saints. Then, from the balcony of St. Peter&rsquo;s Basilica, the Senior Cardinal Deacon announces, "Habemus Papam" ("We have a pope"). Shortly thereafter, the newly elected pope steps forward to greet the faithful gathered in St. Peter&rsquo;s Square, bestowing his first blessings as the leader of the Catholic Church.

Pope Francis, in stable condition at Gemelli hospital, battles health complexities. Despite improvements, recent crises raised concern.

Pope Francis' Health: Stable Yet Concerned

Pope Francis stable in hospital amid health concerns

Pope Francis, in stable condition at Gemelli hospital, battles health complexities. Despite improvements, recent crises raised concern.

Pope Francis is in a "stable" condition in hospital but the clinical picture remains complex, the Vatican said Sunday, as the 88-year-old issued a statement thanking well-wishers for their support.
The head of the Catholic Church was admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital on February 14 with bronchitis, which later developed into pneumonia in both lungs.
After appearing to recover slightly during the week, the Argentine pope suffered a breathing crisis on Friday, causing widespread concern, but he passed a quieter weekend.
"The clinical conditions of the Holy Father remained stable today," the Vatican said on Sunday in its regular early evening medical update.
The leader of the world's almost 1.4 billion Catholics "did not require non-invasive mechanical ventilation, only high-flow oxygen therapy", it said.
He does not have a fever, and on Sunday morning he participated in mass, spending the rest of the day alternating rest with prayer, it added.
A Vatican source said that with 48 hours now passed, it appeared there had been "no further consequences" from Friday's crisis.
However, the Holy See statement added that "in view of the complexity of the clinical picture, the prognosis remains reserved".
'Supported by God's people'
Francis, born Jorge Bergoglio, missed his traditional Angelus prayer for a third straight Sunday, the Vatican issuing a written text instead.
"I would like to thank you for the prayers, which rise up to the Lord from the hearts of so many faithful from many parts of the world," he wrote.
"I feel all your affection and closeness and, at this particular time, I feel as if I am 'carried' and supported by all God's people. Thank you all."
The pope concluded by calling, as he often does during his Angelus prayer, for peace around the world.
"From here, war appears even more absurd. Let us pray for tormented Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, Myanmar, Sudan and Kivu," Francis wrote.
At St Peter's Square, where pilgrims normally gather to hear the pope at noon on a Sunday, some in the crowd expressed concern at his absence.
"The first thought when you enter the square is to look where he usually looked out of the window," Lorena Compare, a 49-year-old accountant, told AFP.
"Let's hope."
Health issues
The Jesuit, who has been pope since 2013, has suffered numerous health issues in recent years, from colon surgery in 2021 to a hernia operation in 2023 and pain that causes him to use a wheelchair.
But at 17 days, this is the longest and most serious hospitalisation of his papacy, sparking widespread concern about his health and his future leading the Church.
Last weekend, the Vatican reported the pope was in a "critical" condition after he suffered a major respiratory attack and required blood transfusions.
There followed a series of incremental improvements, but on Friday Francis "presented an isolated crisis of bronchospasm which led to an episode of vomiting with inhalation and a sudden worsening of the respiratory picture", the Vatican said.
On Saturday, it said there had been no repeat of this crisis and he was in a "stable" condition.
The pope's haemodynamic parameters -- those relating to the flow of blood -- were also stable, and he did not have the high white-blood-cell count that often indicates an infection, the Vatican said.
Worried world
Catholics and other well-wishers around the world have been praying for the liberal reformer, the first pontiff from the Americas.
Pilgrims have flocked to the Gemelli hospital, many leaving handwritten messages including posters illustrated by children, and balloons bearing his image.
Francis has continued to work from the special papal suite on the hospital's 10th floor, amid speculation about his ability to continue to lead the Church.
Francis has always left open the option of resigning if his health declined, following the example set by his predecessor, German theologian Benedict XVI, who quit in 2013.
Before his hospitalisation, Francis had repeatedly said it was not yet the time -- and might never be.
He maintains a packed schedule, particularly with the Church celebrating a Jubilee holy year this year, an event predicted to draw tens of millions of pilgrims to Rome and the Vatican.
Yet medical experts have warned that Francis's age and health means a sustained recovery will take time.

During off-the-cuff remarks, the pope relayed his experience attending a festival in northern Argentina before his pontificate where he witnessed the importance of popular piety for the faithful “that seeks a healthy complicity.”

Pope Francis’ makes 1st papal visit to France’s Corsica awash in expressions of popular piety

During off-the-cuff remarks, the pope relayed his experience attending a festival in northern Argentina before his pontificate where he witnessed the importance of popular piety for the faithful &ldquo;that seeks a healthy complicity.&rdquo;

Pope Francis on the first papal visit ever to the French island of Corsica on Sunday called for a dynamic form of laicism, promoting the kind of popular piety that distinguishes the Mediterranean island from secular France as a bridge between religious and civic society.
Speaking at the close of a Mediterranean conference on popular piety, Papa Francescu, as he is called in Corsican, described a concept of secularity &ldquo;that is not static and fixed, but evolving and dynamic,&rdquo; that can adapt to &ldquo;unforeseen situations&rdquo; and promote cooperation &ldquo;between civil and ecclesiastical authorities.&rdquo;
The pontiff said that expressions of popular piety, including processions, and the communal prayer of the Holy Rosary, &ldquo;can nurture constructive citizenship&rsquo; on the part of Christians. At the same time, he warned against such manifestations being seen only in terms of folklore, or even superstition.
During off-the-cuff remarks, the pope relayed his experience attending a festival in northern Argentina before his pontificate where he witnessed the importance of popular piety for the faithful &ldquo;that seeks a healthy complicity.&rdquo;
The visit to Corsica&rsquo;s capital Ajaccio, birthplace of Napoleon, is one of the briefest of his papacy beyond Italy&rsquo;s borders, just about nine hours on the ground, including a 40-minute visit with French President Emmanuel Macron.
Francis was joined on the dais by the bishop of Ajaccio, Cardinal Francois-Xavier Bustillo, who organized the conference that brought together some 400 participants from Spain, Sicily, Sardinia and southern France. The two-day meeting examined expressions of faith that often occur outside formal liturgies, such as processions and pilgrimages.
Often specific to the places where they are practised, popular piety in Corsica includes the cult of the Virgin Mary, known locally as the &ldquo;Maddunuccia,&rdquo; which protected the island from the plague in 1656 when it was still under Genoa.
Corsica stands out from the rest of secularized France as a particularly devout region, with 92 confraternities, or lay associations dedicated to works of charity or piety, with over 4,000 members.
&ldquo;It means that there is a beautiful, mature, adult and responsible collaboration between civil authorities, mayors, deputies, senators, officials and religious authorities,&rsquo; Ajaccio Cardinal Fran&ccedil;ois-Xavier Bustillo told The Associated Press ahead of the visit. &ldquo;There is no hostility between the two. And that is a very positive aspect because in Corsica there is no ideological hostility.&rdquo;
The visit was awash in signs of popular piety. The pope was greeted by children in traditional garb and was continually serenaded by bands, choruses and singing troupes that are central to Corsican culture from the airport, to the motorcade route, convention centre and cathedral. Thousands stood along the roadside to greet the pontiff and more waved from windows.
Ren&egrave; Colombani travelled with 2,000 others by ship from northern Corsica to Ajaccio, on the western coast, to see the pope. &ldquo;It is an event that we will not see again in several years. It may be the only time that the pope will come to Corsica. And since we wanted to be a part of it, we have come a long way. Colombani said.
The island, which Genoa ceded to France in 1768, is located closer to the Italian mainland than France.
From the conference, the pope travelled to the 17th-century cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta to meet with clergy, stopping along the way at the statue of the Maddunuccia.
Francis will later celebrate Mass at the Place d&rsquo;Austerlitz park, where it is said Napoleon played as a child. Around 7,000 faithful are expected. He will meet privately with Macron at the airport before departing for the 50-minute flight back to Rome.
They are expected to talk about the world&rsquo;s crisis, including wars in the Middle East and Ukraine, and environment and climate-related issues, Macron&rsquo;s office said.
The pontiff pointedly did not make the trip to Paris earlier this month for the pomp surrounding the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral following the devastating 2019 fire. The visit to Corsica seems far more suited to Francis&rsquo; priorities than a grand cathedral reopening, emphasizing the &ldquo;church of the peripheries.&rdquo;
It is Francis&rsquo; third trip to France, each time avoiding Paris and the protocols that a state visit entails. He visited the port of Marseille in 2023, on an overnight visit to participate in an annual summit of Mediterranean bishops, and went to Strasbourg in 2014 to address the European Parliament and Council of Europe.
Corsica is home to more than 340,000 people and has been part of France since 1768. But the island has also seen pro-independence violence and has an influential nationalist movement, and last year Macron proposed granting it limited autonomy.

Pope Francis came under immense criticism from Ukraine and its allies for saying that Kyiv should have the courage to negotiate an end to the war with Russia.

Pope Francis' 'white flag' comment is met by criticism from Ukraine and allies

Pope Francis came under immense criticism from Ukraine and its allies for saying that Kyiv should have the courage to negotiate an end to the war with Russia.

&nbsp;Ukrainian and allied officials criticised Pope Francis for saying that Kyiv should have the &ldquo;courage&rdquo; to negotiate an end to the war with Russia, a statement many interpreted as a call on Ukraine to surrender.
The foreign minister of Poland, a vocal ally of Kyiv, and Ukraine's ambassador to the Vatican both used World War II analogies to condemn the pope's remarks, while a leader of one of Ukraine's Christian churches on Sunday said that only the country's determined resistance to Russia's aggression had prevented a mass slaughter of civilians.
In an interview recorded last month with Swiss broadcaster RSI and partially released on Saturday, Francis used the phrase &ldquo;the courage of the white flag&rdquo; as he argued that Ukraine, facing a possible defeat, should be open to peace talks brokered by international powers.
&ldquo;How about, for balance, encouraging Putin to have the courage to withdraw his army from Ukraine? Peace would immediately ensue without the need for negotiations,&rdquo; Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski responded with a post on X, formerly Twitter.
In a separate post, Sikorski drew parallels between those calling for negotiations while &ldquo;denying (Ukraine) the means to defend itself" and European leaders' &ldquo;appeasement&rdquo; of Adolf Hitler just before World War II.
Andrii Yurash, Ukraine's ambassador to the Holy See, said that it was &ldquo;necessary to learn lessons&rdquo; from that conflict. His post on X appeared to compare the pope's comments to calls for &ldquo;talking with Hitler&rdquo; while raising &ldquo;a white flag to satisfy him&rdquo;.
A Vatican spokesman later clarified that the pope supported &ldquo;a stop to hostilities (and) a truce achieved with the courage of negotiations,&rdquo; rather than an outright Ukrainian surrender. Matteo Bruni said that the journalist interviewing Francis used the term &ldquo;white flag&rdquo; in the question that prompted the controversial remarks.
&ldquo;I think that the strongest one is the one who looks at the situation, thinks about the people and has the courage of the white flag, and negotiates,&rdquo; Francis said, when asked to weigh in on the debate between those who say that Ukraine should agree to peace talks and those who argue that any negotiations would legitimise Moscow's aggression.
Kyiv remains firm on not engaging directly with Russia on peace talks, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said multiple times the initiative in peace negotiations must come from the country that has been invaded.
Throughout the war, Francis has tried to maintain the Vatican's traditional diplomatic neutrality, but that has often been accompanied by apparent sympathy with the Russian rationale for invading Ukraine, such as when he noted that NATO was &ldquo;barking at Russia's door&rdquo; with its eastward expansion.
While the pope has spoken in the past about the need for negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow, the RSI interview appears to mark the first time when he publicly used terms such as &ldquo;white flag&rdquo; or &ldquo;defeated&rdquo; while discussing the war.
Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, said Sunday that surrender is not on the minds of Ukrainians.
&ldquo;Ukraine is wounded, but unconquered! Ukraine is exhausted, but it stands and will endure. Believe me, it never crosses anyone's mind to surrender. Even where there is fighting today: listen to our people in Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Odesa, Kharkiv, Sumy,&rdquo; Shevchuk said while meeting with Ukrainians in New York City. He mentioned the regions that have been under heavy Russian artillery and drone attacks.
Shevchuk also spoke of the brutality of Moscow's aggression, referencing the town near Kyiv where Russian occupation left hundreds of civilians dead in the streets and in mass graves. He argued that, if not for Ukrainians' fierce resistance as Russian forces marched on the capital in February 2022, the gruesome scenes seen in Bucha would have been &ldquo;just an introduction".
During the Angelus prayer on Sunday from the window overlooking St Peter's Square, Francis said that he was praying &ldquo;for peace in the tormented Ukraine and in the Holy Land&rdquo;.
&ldquo;Let the hostilities which cause immense suffering among the civilian population cease as soon as possible,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;

The Guardian reported that the Pope called sexual pleasure a gift from god that is to be cherished but asked Catholics to avoid pornography.

'Sexual pleasure God's gift but...': Pope Francis' advice

The Guardian reported that the Pope called sexual pleasure a gift from god that is to be cherished but asked Catholics to avoid pornography.

Pope Francis at his general audience in Saint Peter's Sqaure at the Vatican on Wednesday advised Catholics to stay away pornography.&nbsp;
"Sexual pleasure is a gift from God' but Catholics must avoid pornography, The Guardian quoted the Pope as saying.&nbsp;
He also said that sexual pleasure is something to be cherished but it was being 'undermined by pornography'. The Pope added that 'satisfaction without a relationship can generate forms of addiction'.&nbsp;
The Guardian reported that the Pope's words were in response to his conservative criticis who expressed outrage last week after a book featuring sexually explicit content written decades ago by the Vatican&rsquo;s head of doctrine resurfaced.&nbsp;
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Pope Francis in an annual speech on January 8 called for a universal ban on surrogate motherhood.

Pope Francis demands universal ban on surrogacy, calls it threat to peace, human dignity

Pope Francis in an annual speech on January 8 called for a universal ban on surrogate motherhood.

Pope Francis called Monday for a universal ban on the &ldquo;despicable&rdquo; practice of surrogate motherhood, as he included the &ldquo;commercialization&rdquo; of pregnancy in an annual speech listing threats to global peace and human dignity.
In a foreign policy address to ambassadors accredited to the Holy See, Francis lamented that 2024 had dawned at a time in history in which peace is &ldquo;increasingly threatened, weakened and in some part lost.&rdquo; Citing Russia's war in Ukraine, the Israel-Hamas war, migration and climate crises and the &ldquo;immoral&rdquo; production of nuclear and conventional weapons, Francis delivered a lengthy laundry list of the ills afflicting humanity and the increasing violation of international humanitarian law that allows them.
But Francis also listed smaller-scale issues that he said were threats to peace and human dignity, including surrogacy. Francis said the life of the unborn child must be protected and not &ldquo;suppressed or turned into an object of trafficking.&rdquo; &ldquo;I consider despicable the practice of so-called surrogate motherhood, which represents a grave violation of the dignity of the woman and the child, based on the exploitation of situations of the mother's material needs,&rdquo; he said.
He called for the international community &ldquo;to prohibit this practice universally.&rdquo; Francis has previously voiced the Catholic Church's opposition to what he has called &ldquo;uterus for rent,&rdquo; and some European countries prohibit it, including Spain and Italy. At the same time, however, the Vatican's doctrine office has made clear that homosexual parents who resort to surrogacy can have their children baptized.
In his geopolitical roundup, Francis singled out Russia by name in noting that &ldquo;large-scale war waged by the Russian Federation against Ukraine&rdquo; had ground on. It marked an unusual break with Francis' usual tendency to spare Moscow direct, public blame for the invasion when expressing solidarity with the Ukrainian people.
Francis was more balanced in his lament of Israel's ongoing war in Gaza, condemning Hamas' October 7 assault on southern Israel &ldquo;and every instance of terrorism and extremism.&rdquo; At the same time, he said the attack provoked a &ldquo;strong Israeli military response&rdquo; that had left thousands dead and created a humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

In Christmas appeal, Pope  Francis criticises weapons industry

In Christmas appeal, Pope  Francis criticises weapons industry

Speaking from the loggia of St. Peter&rsquo;s Basilica, Francis said he grieved the &ldquo;abominable attack&rdquo; of Hamas against southern Israel on Oct. 7 and called for the release of hostages.

Pope Francis on Monday blasted the weapons industry and its &ldquo;instruments of death&rdquo; that are fueling wars around the globe as he made a Christmas Day appeal for peace in the world and in particular between Israel and the Palestinians.
Speaking from the loggia of St. Peter&rsquo;s Basilica to the throngs of people below, Francis said he grieved the &ldquo;abominable attack&rdquo; of Hamas against southern Israel on Oct. 7 and called for the release of hostages.
And he begged for an end to Israel&rsquo;s campaign in Gaza and the &ldquo;appalling harvest of innocent civilians&rdquo; as he called for humanitarian aid to reach the strip.
Francis devoted his Christmas Day blessing to a call for peace in the world.
Francis&rsquo; annual &ldquo;Urbi et Orbi&rdquo; (to the city and the world) speech typically offers a lament of all the misery facing the world, and this year&rsquo;s edition was no different.
From Armenia and Azerbaijan to Syria and Yemen, Ukraine to South Sudan and Congo and the Korean peninsula, Francis appealed for humanitarian initiatives, dialogue and security to prevail over violence and death.
He took particular aim at the weapons industry, which he said was fueling the conflicts around the globe with scarcely anyone paying attention.
&ldquo;It should be talked about and written about, so as to bring to light the interests and the profits that move the puppet-strings of war,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;And how can we even speak of peace, when arms production, sales and trade are on the rise?&rdquo;
Francis has frequently blasted the weapons industry as &ldquo;merchants of death&rdquo; and has said wars today in Ukraine, in particular, are being used to try out new weapons or use up old stockpiles.
He called for peace between Israel and Palestinians, and for the conflict to be resolved &ldquo;through sincere and persevering dialogue between the parties, sustained by strong political will and the support of the international community.&rdquo;
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Pope says priests can bless same-sex unions, requests should not be subject to moral analysis

The new document repeats that rationale and elaborates on it, reaffirming that marriage is a lifelong sacrament between a man and a woman.

Pope Francis has formally approved allowing priests to bless same-sex couples, with a new document explaining a radical change in Vatican policy by insisting that people seeking God's love and mercy shouldn't be subject to &ldquo;an exhaustive moral analysis&rdquo; to receive it.
The document from the Vatican's doctrine office, released Monday, elaborates on a letter Francis sent to two conservative cardinals that was published in October. In that preliminary response, Francis suggested such blessings could be offered under some circumstances if they didn't confuse the ritual with the sacrament of marriage.
The new document repeats that rationale and elaborates on it, reaffirming that marriage is a lifelong sacrament between a man and a woman. And it stresses that blessings should not be conferred at the same time as a civil union or even with the clothing and gestures that belong in a wedding.
But it says requests for such blessings should not be denied full stop. It offers an extensive definition of the term &ldquo;blessing&rdquo; in Scripture to insist that people seeking a transcendent relationship with God and looking for his love and mercy should not be subject to &ldquo;an exhaustive moral analysis&rdquo; as a precondition for receiving it.
&ldquo;Ultimately, a blessing offers people a means to increase their trust in God,&rdquo; the document said. &ldquo;The request for a blessing, thus, expresses and nurtures openness to the transcendence, mercy, and closeness to God in a thousand concrete circumstances of life, which is no small thing in the world in which we live.&rdquo; He added: "It is a seed of the Holy Spirit that must be nurtured, not hindered.&rdquo;&nbsp;

Pope Francis blasted Portugal’s Catholic church leaders for the “scandal” of clergy sex abuse on Wednesday,

Pope Francis blasts Portugal clergy for response to sex abuse cases

Pope Francis blasted Portugal&rsquo;s Catholic church leaders for the &ldquo;scandal&rdquo; of clergy sex abuse on Wednesday,

Pope Francis met with survivors of clergy sexual abuse in Portugal on Wednesday and blasted members of the country's Catholic hierarchy for their response to the long-ignored scandal, which he said had marred the Catholic Church and helped drive the faithful away.
Francis dove head-on into the crisis roiling the Portuguese church on the first day of a five-day visit to Lisbon for the Catholic Church's World Youth Day festival. His trip comes at a delicate moment for the Portuguese church; a panel of experts hired by Portugal's bishops reported in February that priests and other church personnel may have abused at least 4,815 boys and girls since 1950.
The Vatican said Francis met with 13 abuse victims for more than an hour at the Vatican Embassy and characterised the pope's role in the meeting as one of "intense listening". The victims were accompanied by church personnel in charge of child protection programmes.
The encounter, which had been expected since Francis met with survivors on previous trips abroad, was aimed at trying to help the Portuguese hierarchy and faithful come to terms with the church's own legacy of abuse and cover-up after many other European countries have gone through similar reckonings.
The response by Portugal's bishops to the expert report's findings, however, in some ways added to the problem. Prior to the report, Portuguese church officials had insisted there were only a handful of child sex abuse cases. After the document's release, the bishops initially refused to remove named abusers from ministry and said they would only compensate victims if courts ordered them to.
The meeting with victims took place after Francis presided over a vigil service for Portuguese clergy and nuns at the capital's iconic Jeronimos Monastery, where in February hundreds of people gathered to brave for victims of sex abuse after the experts' report was released.
Speaking in his native Spanish, Francis acknowledged many clergy and nuns in countries with once-thriving Catholic parishes feel weary about their vocations because the faithful are increasingly detached from their faith.
"It is often accentuated by the disappointment and anger with which some people view the church, at times due to our poor witness and the scandals that have marred her face and call us to a humble and ongoing purification, starting with the anguished cry of the victims, who must always be accepted and listened to," he said.
Bishop Jose Ornelas, the head of the Portuguese Bishops' Conference, promised in a speech to Francis to devote "our special attention to the protection of the welfare of children and the undertaking to protect them from all kinds of abuse".
Although critics have chided church officials for their sluggish response, the bishops' conference later said the pope's meeting with abuse survivors was evidence of "the path of reconciliation that the Portuguese church has been following in this area".
Portugal's bishops are committed to "putting the victims first" and "working together" with the victims on reparations and their recovery, a conference statement asserted.
The Portuguese Catholic Church also promised in March to build a memorial to victims that would be unveiled during World Youth Day, but organisers scrapped the plan a few weeks ago.

All engagements of Pope Francis have been cancelled through June 18, the Vatican said.

Pope Francis undergoes abdominal surgery for hernia

Pope Francis underwent surgery Wednesday to repair a hernia in his abdominal wall. 

All engagements of Pope Francis have been cancelled through June 18, the Vatican said.

Pope Francis underwent surgery Wednesday to repair a hernia in his abdominal wall.&nbsp;
The Vatican said there were no complications after the three-hour surgery, during which Francis was under general anaesthesia. &nbsp;The 86-year-old pontiff is expected to remain in the hospital for several days. As a precaution, all papal audiences were cancelled through June 18, the Vatican said.
The pope was suffering from a &ldquo;painful and worsening&rdquo; hernia that formed over a previous scar, presumably from his 2021 colon surgery. Experts said the formation of the hernia, called a laparocele, is a known complication from intestinal surgery. The concern is that a portion of his intestine may have bulged through the tear and become trapped.
Francis went to the hospital for previously unannounced tests Tuesday, returned to the Vatican and presided over his audience Wednesday morning, but then went straight to Gemelli for the procedure afterwards.
Francis remains in charge of the Vatican and the 1.3-billion-strong Catholic Church, even while unconscious and in the hospital, according to canon law.
(with AP inputs)

Blasting couples who have pets instead of children, Francis called for resources to be dedicated to helping couples grow their families
 

'Have more kids not pets': Pope joins Giorgia Meloni in urging Italians

Blasting couples who have pets instead of children, Francis called for resources to be dedicated to helping couples grow their families
&nbsp;

Pope Francis joined Italy's conservative premier on Friday in encouraging Italians to have more children, denouncing the financial precariousness facing young couples and &ldquo;selfish, egotistical&rdquo; choices that have led to a record low birth rate that is threatening the country's economic future.
Francis urged concrete political action to invert the &ldquo;demographic winter,&rdquo; which in population terms resulted in the disappearance of a city the size of Bari last year. Blasting couples who have pets instead of children, Francis called for resources to be dedicated to helping couples grow their families, saying it was necessary to &ldquo;plant the future&rdquo; with hope.
&ldquo;Let us not resign ourselves to sterile dullness and pessimism,&rdquo; Francis told an annual gathering of pro-family organizations. &ldquo;Let us not believe that history is already marked, that nothing can be done to reverse the trend.&rdquo; Italy recorded a record-low number of live births last year, 392,598, which combined with an elevated number of deaths, 713,499, has accelerated the demographic trend that threatens to crash the country's social security system.
The government of Premier Giorgia Meloni is backing a campaign to encourage at least 500,000 births annually by 2033, a rate that demographers say is necessary to prevent the economy from collapsing by growing the wage-earning population as retirees draw on their pensions.
Meloni came to power last year on a pro-family campaign of &ldquo;God, family, fatherland&rdquo; and her government has proposed a host of measures to try to encourage families to have more children, given Italy's fertility rate of 1.24 children per woman is among the lowest in the world.
Numerous studies have pointed to a combination of factors that discourage women from having children, including a lack of affordable child care spots, low salaries and precarious work contracts, and a tradition of women often bearing the burden of caring for older parents.
Meloni, who has a daughter with her partner, told the family association congress that it was time to reverse the trend. But she said it must be done without resorting to surrogacy, hitting on broader political talking points that have surrounded the demographic debate in Italy as well as the government's crackdown on migrants and aversion to registering children of same-sex couples.
&ldquo;We want a nation where it is no longer scandalous to say that &mdash; whatever the legitimate, free choices, inclinations of each person &mdash; we are all born of a man or a woman,&rdquo; Meloni said to applause. &ldquo;Where it is not taboo to say that motherhood is not for sale, that wombs are not for rent and children are not over-the-counter products that you can choose on the shelf as if you were in the supermarket and maybe return if then the product does not match what you expect.&rdquo; Speaking in religious terms, Meloni concluded by saying that her government wants to begin by &ldquo;respecting the dignity, the uniqueness, the sacredness of every single human being, because each of us has a unique and unrepeatable genetic code. And this, like it or not, has something of the sacred.&rdquo;&nbsp;

In a film called 'The Pope Answers', the 86-year-old pontiff met 10 people in their 20s.

'Sex is a...': Pope Francis in new documentary

In a film called 'The Pope Answers', the 86-year-old pontiff met 10 people in their 20s.

Pope Francis, the head of the Roman Catholic Church, has praised the virtues of sex in a new documentary, as per reports.
In a film called 'The Pope Answers', the 86-year-old pontiff met 10 people in their 20s.
Francis said that "sex is one of the beautiful things that God has given to the human person, and anything that detracts from real sexual expression lessens" the person and "depletes this richness".
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'I am still alive', says Pope Francis as he leaves hospital

The 86-year-old pontiff, who was admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital on Wednesday with breathing difficulties, got out of the car transporting him and smiled and joked with the crowd.

A jovial Pope Francis joked with well-wishers on Saturday as he left hospital after a three-night stay for bronchitis, and headed back to the Vatican to prepare for Christianity's most important week.
The 86-year-old pontiff, who was admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital on Wednesday with breathing difficulties, got out of the car transporting him and smiled and joked with the crowd.
Asked by someone how he felt, he quipped twice with a big smile "I am still alive!"
Francis will now begin preparations for Holy Week and Easter, the most important week in the Christian calendar.
The pontiff felt unwell Wednesday after a general audience in St Peter's Square, but his condition improved after he was given antibiotics.

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI died in retirement at the Vatican on Saturday aged 95.

Pope Francis prays for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI at New Year's Day mass

Pope Francis prayed for his predecessor's passage to heaven as he presided over a special New Year's Day Mass Sunday in St. Peter’s Basilica.

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI died in retirement at the Vatican on Saturday aged 95.

Pope Francis prayed for his predecessor's passage to heaven as he presided over a special New Year's Day Mass Sunday in St. Peter&rsquo;s Basilica.
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI died in retirement at the Vatican on Saturday aged 95. He headed the Roman Catholic Chruch from 2005 to 2013 before announcing a shock retirement.&nbsp;
He became the first pontiff in 600 years to resign.&nbsp;
At the age of 78 he was thrust into following the footsteps of the beloved Pope John Paul II and running the 1 billion-strong Catholic Church through scandal and indifference.
Benedict ran the church for nearly eight years through the fallout of the clerical sex abuse scandal, and then a second scandal that erupted when his own butler stole his personal papers and gave them to a journalist.
(with AP inputs)
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Pope Francis himself is yet to allow women to become priests or deacons within the Roman Catholic Church.

Watch what Pope Francis said on female genital mutilation, Iran anti-hijab protests, equality for women

Pope Francis himself is yet to allow women to become priests or deacons within the Roman Catholic Church.

Pope Francis strongly condemned the practice of female genital mutilation (FGM) in a speech on 6 November 2022. Calling the ritual cutting of girls' external genitalia a "criminal act" and "tragedy", the Pope said that it was "terrible" that humanity had not been able to stop the practice yet.
The head of the Roman Catholic Church had been asked about the protests against hijab rules in Iran following the death of Mahsa Amini. Pope Francis did not directly comment on the issue, but spoke about women being treated as second-class citizens or worse in many cultures around the world.
Francis said that the fight must continue "because women are a gift", and "God created two equals: man and woman". However, Francis himself is yet to allow women to become priests or deacons within the Roman Catholic Church.
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