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People visit a Catholic Church in Baoding, in China’s northern Hebei province on Tuesday, a day after the death of Pope Francis. Photo: AFP
China-Vatican relations

China conveys condolences after death of Pope Francis, seeks closer Vatican ties

Future of relations remains uncertain, analysts warn, given unresolved issues and possible policy shifts under the next pope.

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Italy

Vatican recounts Pope Francis’ final words and his ‘discreet death’

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Indonesia

Indonesians mourn Pope Francis’ death: ‘we were so proud of him’

Italy

Pope Francis’ funeral set for Saturday in Rome, public viewing begins Wednesday

Francis, 88, died unexpectedly on Monday after suffering a stroke and cardiac arrest.

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Pope Francis’ funeral will be held on Saturday, April 26 the Vatican said. Photo: Getty
Hong Kong society

Hongkongers gather at Cathedral of Immaculate Conception to mourn Pope Francis

Public can visit between 7am and 7pm in coming days to pay respects to late pontiff.

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Italy

Who is Kevin Farrell, the cardinal now running the Vatican?

Known as the Camerlengo, Farrell will determine the date of Francis’ funeral and supervise other organisational tasks.

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Pope Francis

Trump says he will attend funeral of Pope Francis in Rome

In what will be Trump’s first trip abroad since taking office in January, president said he and wife Melania ‘look forward to being there!’.

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US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump at an Easter event at the White House on Monday. Trump said he and Melania will attend Pope Francis’ funeral in Rome. Photo: Zuma Press Wire/dpa
Pope Francis

Pope Francis was the pontiff with ‘2 left feet’ who loved the ‘beautiful game’

From Argentine compatriots Messi and the late Maradona to Ibrahimovic and Buffon, Francis received greatest stars of football at the Vatican.

The Philippines

‘We grieve like orphans’: Filipinos mourn death of Pope Francis

Many Filipinos recall the pontiff’s supportive and caring ways, saying he ‘gave voice to the marginalised, the voiceless and powerless’.

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Italy

Explainer | Who could succeed Pope Francis in the Vatican’s secretive conclave?

Several contenders have emerged to replace Pope Francis, with each bringing unique qualities and influences to the Vatican’s future leadership.

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A person stands next to a photograph of Pope Francis inside Saint Anthony Catholic Church in Istanbul, Turkey on Monday. Photo: AP
Italy

World leaders, from King Charles to Putin and Zelensky, mourn Pope Francis’ death

World leaders praised Pope Francis for his compassion, peace efforts, and interfaith dialogue, leaving a legacy of justice and humility.

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Britain’s King Charles said he was “most deeply saddened” about the death of Pope Francis. Photo: Vatican Media/Reuters
Italy

Explainer | What happens after the death of Pope Francis?

Following Pope Francis’ death, key rituals commence, including sealing his flat, destroying the ring, and funeral arrangements.

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Italy

Pope Francis, first Latin American pontiff, dies at 88, on Easter Monday

The pope, who was elected in 2013, died of a stroke and irreversible heart failure, Vatican said in a death certificate released on Monday.

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South Africa

South Africa church holds mass Easter weddings for 3,000 people, some polygamous

Sunday’s ceremonies would see some men marry their sixth or seventh wives, a church spokesman said. Other grooms would marry multiple brides.

Brides and bridegrooms arrive to take part in a mass wedding ceremony at the International Pentecostal Holiness Church in Zuurbekom, west of Johannesburg, South Africa on Sunday. Photo: Reuters
United States

Vance meets Pope Francis amid row over Trump’s migrant plans

Vance’s motorcade was on Vatican territory for 17 minutes. The Vatican said there was an ‘exchange of opinions’ including current conflicts.

Pope Francis meeting with US Vice-President J.D. Vance in The Vatican. Photo: AFP
Africa

Ethiopians mark Easter with call for peace and charity

Christians of all denominations vowed to embrace sacrifice in a country facing armed conflict and still recovering from a war ended in 2022.

Sri Lanka

Buddha tooth relic photo sparks Sri Lankan police investigation

Photography is prohibited during the viewing of the highly venerated relic, which went on display this month for the first time since 2009.

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United States

LGBTQ book controversy in Maryland schools spills over to US Supreme Court

Montgomery County parents are upset over ‘sexual’ content of books which school district say are representative of families in the area.

A page from Prince & Knight. Photo: Handout
Easter

Language Matters | Where the word ‘Easter’ comes from and how only 2 European languages use it

‘Easter’ is found in English and German but in most other European languages the word for the festival comes from old words for ‘Passover’.

Pakistan

Mob in Pakistan beats to death man from persecuted minority

The minority Ahmadiyya community are considered heretics by the Pakistani government and have been persecuted for decades.

Easter

Easter’s date remains divisive 4 centuries on, but change may be coming

Different calculations and calendars by the Catholic and Orthodox churches have meant that Easter dates can coincide or be several weeks apart.

Penitents from a local religious confraternity known as “confratelli”, take part in the traditional Holy Week procession in Orte, central Italy, on Friday. Photo: Reuters
The Philippines

Philippine man nailed to cross for 36th time to mark Good Friday

The man, 64, was nailed to a cross for his 36th time amid warnings of temperatures reaching dangerous levels.

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Ruben Enaje kneels on the ground during his reenactment of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ on Good Friday, in San Fernando, Philippines. Photo: Reuters
Malaysia

‘It stinks’: Malaysian deodorant ad pulled over racial insensitivity claims

The ad featured a dark-skinned man with a religious marking and a light-skinned man with body odour, sparking accusations of racial insensitivity.

Fame and celebrity

Elisabeth Moss’ dating history, from Fred Armisen to Tom Cruise

Moss, who won an Emmy for her role in The Handmaid’s Tale, was married to Armisen for just 8 months before they called it quits; the father of her child is still undisclosed.

Parenting: teens

Colourful Buddhist tradition in Thailand is a rite of passage for Shan boys

The Poy Sang Long celebration is a vibrant three-day ritual before boys of Myanmar’s Shan people enter monastic life for up to one month.

An ethnic Shan boy during the annual Poy Sang Long procession, a traditional rite of passage ceremony for novice Buddhist monks at Wat Ku Tao, in Chiang Mai. Photo: AFP
Malaysia

Controversial Malaysian series on Islamic cult tops 1 billion streams

‘Bidaah’ echoes a real-life case in Malaysia of a shadowy cult hit by allegations of human trafficking and abuse.

The disturbing depiction of a predatory cult leader in Malaysian online series “Bidaah” has ignited strong emotions and debate among Muslims in Southeast Asia. Photo: Viu
US Politics

US State Department investigates ‘anti-Christian bias’ under Biden

Secretary of State Marco Rubio asked that reports also include actions taken due to opposition to vaccines or personal pronoun choice.

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Bangladesh

Bangladesh reintroduces ‘except Israel’ phrase on passports

Muslim-majority Bangladesh does not recognise Israel. The ‘except Israel’ phrase was removed in 2021 during former PM Sheikh Hasina’s tenure.

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