Pope Leo XIV Urges Global Leaders to End Conflict in First Address

Pope Francis's funeral took place today in St. Peter’s Square, Rome, attended by dignitaries from 170 foreign delegations and tens of thousands of mourners. The ceremony, conducted by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, began at 10 a.m. local time, marking a significant farewell to the pope, who passed away at age 88 following a stroke earlier this week, as reported by the Vatican. Francis’s body lay in state in St. Peter’s Basilica from Wednesday to Friday, allowing more than 150,000 people to pay their respects. His final resting place will be the Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica, a departure from traditional practices, with the pontiff requesting a humble burial devoid of ornate decoration. The public will have access to his tomb starting Sunday morning. Moreover, all Serie A matches scheduled for today have been postponed as a sign of respect. The Vatican confirmed that a conclave to elect Francis's successor will commence within the next few weeks, adhering to papal traditions, according to various sources.

Pope Francis has died at the age of 88, as confirmed by the Vatican on April 21, 2025. The announcement, made by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, revealed that Francis passed away early this morning, just one day after his appearance at Saint Peter’s Square for Easter. According to reports, he had been recovering from a severe illness that included a 38-day hospitalization for double pneumonia. In accordance with tradition, the College of Cardinals will convene in a conclave at the Sistine Chapel to elect a successor. Only cardinals under 80 years old, totaling about 138 eligible electors from the 252 cardinals, will participate in the voting process. The conclave’s procedures, which have been in place for over 700 years, involve secret ballots with smoke signals indicating the selection outcome. Possible successors include Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State since 2013, and Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, known for his progressive stance and connections to Pope Francis. As the world anticipates the new pontiff, the Vatican prepares for the solemn process of electing the next leader of the Catholic Church.

A 4.4-magnitude earthquake struck the Campi Flegrei area around Naples on March 14, 2025, marking the strongest seismic event in the region in the past 40 years, according to the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology. The quake occurred at 1:25 AM, with a depth of 2.5 kilometers, prompting terrified residents to flee their homes into the streets. In the aftermath, there were reports of light injuries and significant property damage, particularly in Bagnoli, a seaside district. Images revealed smashed car windows and damage to a local church. Naples Mayor Gaetano Manfredi reported that while one woman sustained injuries from a ceiling collapse, most of the 11 individuals who sought medical attention were suffering from panic attacks rather than serious injuries. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated she is closely monitoring the situation. The area has a history of seismic activity due to its status as Europe's largest volcanic caldera, which raises concerns among the approximately 500,000 residents living nearby.