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Worldnews

What We Know About The Funeral Of Pope Francis

Hundreds of thousands of guests and mourners are expected to attend the late pontiff’s funeral ceremonies, which will be a simpler affair than previous papal funerals. Vatican City – Pope Francis’s funeral will be held in the Vatican on Saturday at 10am local time (8:00 GMT), with hundreds of thousands of guests and mourners expected to attend the late pontiff’s final ceremonies. US President Donald Trump and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will be among the dozens of dignitaries travelling to the Vatican for the ceremony, which will be a simpler affair than previous papal funerals. Last year, the Argentine pope amended the funeral rites to show that he was a “disciple of Christ” rather than “a powerful man of this world”. As well as being a major religious event, papal funerals also have an important diplomatic dimension. The pope is the head of the Roman Catholic Church, but he also leads the Holy See – a sovereign juridical entity with a seat at the United Nations – and the Vatican city-state. There are some 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide, concentrated above all in Europe, the Americas and increasingly in Africa. For this reason, papal funerals tend to attract large numbers of political figures. When Pope John Paul II died in 2005, his funeral attracted some 70 presidents and prime ministers – making it one of the largest gatherings of world leaders in history. Among those to have already confirmed their attendance for Francis’s funeral on Saturday are US President Trump, the UN chief Guterres, and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has no plans to attend, according to the Kremlin, but there will be a delegation from China. Alongside these political figures, there will be large numbers of Catholics and other well-wishers. The Italian government said on Tuesday that it expected at least 200,000 foreigners to travel to Rome for the funeral. Although the Vatican is a sovereign state, it is located in the heart of the Italian capital, and Italy will help manage some elements of the logistics. There is, however, some reason to think that the eventual turnout will be higher than the Italian government’s estimate – the last funeral of a sitting pope, John Paul II, attracted some four million attendees. That said, the number of mourners on Saturday might not quite reach that high. While both popes enjoyed high levels of popularity, John Paul had served for 26 years, compared to Francis’s 12. Moreover, John Paul’s native Poland – where he had a huge number of admirers – was close enough to Italy to facilitate large-scale travel. In 2024, Pope Francis simplified the Rite of Burial for Roman Pontiffs, which lays out the rubrics for papal funerals. According to the new rites, Francis will be buried in a single coffin, rather than the three used by previous popes. Different language will be used, too – during the funeral, the pope will be called “Bishop of Rome”, “Pope”, “Pastor”, or “Roman Pontifex”, with grander titles such as “Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church” now avoided. Mirticeli Medeiros, a Catholic Church historian and Vatican correspondent for Brazil’s GloboNews, told Al Jazeera that “Francis’s simplification of the funeral rituals reflects not only his humility, which was well known, but also his revolution of the institution of the papacy”. “He always said that he did not feel comfortable with the idea that the Vatican was the last absolute monarchy of Europe,” Medeiros said. “That is why, from the very beginning, he presented himself as ‘Bishop of Rome’, which for him was the most dignified title – he was a bishop, a pastor and a Christian like any other.” Explaining the changes, Archbishop Diego Ravelli, master of Papal Liturgical Ceremonies, said that the aim was to highlight that the pope’s funeral is “that of a shepherd and disciple of Christ, and not of a powerful man of this world”. Archbishop Ravelli added that it was Francis himself who had stressed the need to “adapt certain rites, so that the celebration of the funeral of the Bishop of Rome might better express the Church’s faith in the risen Christ”. Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the 91-year-old Italian who is currently dean of the College of Cardinals, is expected to preside over the pope’s funeral mass. He will lead those present in prayers and Bible readings, and will deliver the final commendation and valediction, entrusting the pope’s soul to God. The funeral will be held in a variety of different languages, reflecting the Catholic Church’s international nature and the varied backgrounds of those present. It is likely that – as is the case for most masses of this kind at the Vatican – the main prayers will be said in Latin and Italian, with Bible readings in Italian, Spanish, and English, and a number of shorter prayers in other languages such as Arabic, Polish, and Chinese. After Pope Francis’s funeral, his coffin will be transferred to the Basilica of St Mary Major, a church lying outside the Vatican’s walls that he was particularly fond of visiting. Francis will be the first pope to be buried there since the 1600s, and the first in over 100 years to be buried outside the Vatican. In his final testament, released on Monday, the pope asked that his tomb be “in the ground; simple, without particular ornamentation”, and specified that the only word should be his papal name in Latin: “Franciscus.” A plain gravestone in a church that hasn’t held a pope’s remains in centuries – it’s a fitting final resting place for a man who will be remembered by many for his humility and his independence. “After his election in 2013, the pope first appeared in public wearing simple white vestments, as a way to demonstrate his desire for a less ostentatious church”, Christopher White, Vatican correspondent for National Catholic Reporter, told Al Jazeera. “So,” White added, “it is fitting that he has stripped down the funeral rites, to ensure that in death he can offer one final lesson in symbolism for a church which, he hopes, will continue on a path toward humility.” Follow Al Jazeera English:...

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Futbol

Scotland Must Build On 'progress' Against Elite Germany

Uefa Women's Nations League A: Scotland v Germany Venue: Tannadice Park, Dundee Date: Friday, 4 April Kick-off: 19:35 BST Coverage: Watch on BBC Alba & iPlayer, listen on BBC Radio Scotland Extra & Sounds, live text commentary on the BBC Sport website & app Caroline Weir says Scotland must build on the "definite progress" in the Nations League amid a "transitional period" for the managerless national side. Scotland face a double header against Germany, ranked third in the world, after a 1-0 defeat in Austria and a 2-1 home loss to the Netherlands in their opening games. Those were both under the stewardship of interim boss Michael McArdle as the Scottish FA continues its search for a new manager after the departure of Pedro Martinez Losa, following the failed bid to qualify for Euro 2025. McArdle will continue to guide the team for the visit of Germany to Tannadice on Friday, before the return in Wolfsburg the following Tuesday. Weir says "clarity" on who the next manager will be is the "most important thing" but until then she and the rest of the squad must focus on taking on one of the world's best sides. "It's two really tough games, but I think they're important for us," Weir told BBC Scotland. "They are one of the best teams. I'm interested to see how we do. Off the back of the last camp, that performance against the Netherlands, I think there was definitely some positives to take. "We were competitive for most of the match as much as we didn't get any points. "It is a transitional period for sure for the squad, the manager situation and then obviously the change in personnel and the players. "But for us, it's easy. We turn up, we want to be in the best shape possible, prepare the best we can to play an international match." Weir was speaking at the launch of a new film produced by the Scottish FA about her life and career called 'Galactica', which will be published on Wednesday. It documents her rise from humble beginnings to playing in Real Madrid's midfield and earning 108 caps for Scotland, including her recent comeback after a year out with a knee injury. "It's a little bit surreal to be honest - it's quite strange to see your face on posters and on a big screen," the 29-year-old said. "I remember when they were filming in October and they were asking me all these different questions. It was sparking so many memories that I'd just kind of forgotten or just moved on from. "It's a nice day for my friends, family and to celebrate the last couple of years and the journey that I've been really fortunate to be on."

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News_Naija

Chelsea Eye Guirassy As Osimhen Alternative

English Premier League side Chelsea are considering making a move for Guinea and Borussia Dortmund striker Serhou Guirassy, as an alternative to in-demand Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, PUNCH Sports Extra reports. The Blues have been linked with Osimhen since last summer, but his hefty release clause has hindered a move. As a new summer transfer window approaches, the Blues are considering testing the Guinea forward, in case they are priced out of the move for Osimhen again. Currently on loan from Napoli, Osimhen is set to leave Galatasaray when his loan spell ends and Napoli are willing to let the former LOSC Lille man walk for €75m. As per Spanish outlet, Fichajes, Chelsea are preparing a $75m offer to sign Guirassy as they aim to fix their goalscoring problems in front of goal. Guirassy has been brilliant for a dull Dortmund side this season, scoring 28 goals and providing five assists in 41 games across all competitions for Nico Kovac’s side. He’s also the top scorer in the UEFA Champions League. In comparison, Osimhen has 29 goals and six assists in 34 games across all competitions for Galatasaray. He is the leading scorer in the Super Lig with 21 goals and his contributions are propelling the Turkish giants to their 25th league title. While Osimhen continues to raise his profile on the pitch, negotiations are said to be ongoing between his parent club Napoli and potential buyers, including Galatasaray but the 26-year-old isn’t certain of remaining at the club. The most recent report on his imminent transfer is that he has agreed to join Manchester United in the summer.

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Worldnews

I Grabbed My Cat And Ran: Istanbul Panics As Earthquake Hits

Istanbul’s earthquake leaves residents anxious, reviving memories of past disasters and fears of future catastrophes. Istanbul, Turkiye – For five terrifying seconds, buildings shook, shelves toppled, and panic rippled through Istanbul, Turkiye’s cultural and economic heart. The ground beneath Istanbul trembled at 12:49pm (09:49 GMT) on Wednesday, sending millions scrambling into the streets as a magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck in the sea off the city’s western coast. Several smaller aftershocks have followed, with magnitudes of between 3.5 and 5.9. No major damage was reported according to authorities, although Istanbul Governor Davut Gul said that at least 151 people were injured after jumping from heights to escape in a panic. The quake, centred near Silivri in the Sea of Marmara, revived painful memories of past disasters and left residents grappling with fear over what might come next. In the upscale Nisantasi district, 69-year-old Bilge was at home when her building suddenly rattled. “People in the building screamed ‘earthquake!’ and ran outside. My hands wouldn’t stop shaking,” she told Al Jazeera, describing crowds spilling onto the sidewalks, clutching phones to check on loved ones. Nearby, coffee shop workers rushed out into the street. “We were just calling our families,” one said, as aftershocks continued to ripple across the city. The earthquake coincided with National Sovereignty and Children’s Day, a public holiday, leading to the cancellation of events and heightened public anxiety. Parents were seen walking through the streets with their children still dressed for celebrations. “I was on the seventh floor, just about to make lunch,” said Zeynep Karatas, 41, a freelance designer from Sisli who had come to Nisantasi’s Macka Park with hundreds of others who wanted the safety of an open space. “The walls in my building cracked, the glasses clinked. I didn’t wait – I grabbed my cat and ran,” said Karatas. She joined dozens of neighbours already gathered outside. Some clutched pets, others their phones, trying to contact relatives. “We all ran out together. Strangers were helping elderly people down the stairs. I felt like crying,” she added. Some in the park are anxious, and say they will stay awake as long as possible at night. Others are planning to pack a small bag in case they need to leave their home quickly. Turkiye’s emergency authority AFAD has warned residents to stay alert, as aftershocks can continue for hours, even days. While initial reports indicated little structural damage, the psychological impact was immediate. “Everyone was talking about 2023,” said Baran Demir, 62, referring to the devastating earthquake that killed more than 53,000 people in southern Turkiye, and another 6,000 people in Syria. “You could see it on people’s faces, that same fear. My building didn’t collapse then, but the memory came rushing back.” In Nisantasi, 35-year-old cafe worker Mehmet was helping usher customers outside when the aftershocks hit. “Everyone stayed calm, but the mood shifted fast. We just kind of held our breath. We thought this was the big one we’ve been waiting for.” Residents of Istanbul have long feared a major earthquake hitting the city, as has happened in the past. Earthquakes with a magnitude greater than 7 have hit Istanbul in 1509, 1766 and 1894, causing thousands of deaths and large-scale destruction. A 1999 earthquake in Izmit, approximately 100 kilometres (62 miles) east of Istanbul, killed more than 17,000 people. The city lies near the North Anatolian Fault, a major fault line that regularly triggers earthquakes. Improved building codes in recent decades are designed to counteract the effect of earthquakes in the densely populated city, but many are still worried. “I’m scared to sleep tonight,” said Gokhan, an elderly man who lives alone. “What if there are strong aftershocks tonight, I can’t move quickly,” he says with a wry smile. “If it’s my time, it’s my time.” Follow Al Jazeera English:...