More than 100,000 people pay respects to Pope Francis
More than 100,000 people have paid their respects to Pope Francis as his body lies in state at St Peter’s Basilica in Rome, a crowd so large that the doors have been open through the nights to allow as many people as possible to file past. The procedure will end this evening, when his coffin will be closed. Some of the people in the crowd took selfies with the open coffin in the background, acts which provoked outrage among other mourners. The funeral will take place tomorrow, with global political and church leaders joining the solemn ritual. Vatican News lists all the events taking place headed “The Pope’s Agenda”, with links to accompanying booklets including the order of service for the funeral. Telegraph report here
Archbishop of York says filing past the Pope lying in state is ‘deeply moving moment’
The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, has already arrived in Rome for Pope Francis’ funeral and said, on BlueSky, that filing past the coffin was “a deeply moving moment among thousands of mourners. I give thanks for Pope Francis’ witness to Jesus—his love for the poor, his thirst for justice, his work for peace, & his call to unity”. The archbishop is part of a delegation of ten Anglicans who will attend Pope Francis’ funeral. They include the Rt Rev Anthony Ball, Director of the Anglican Centre in Rome, who expressed gratitude for the Pope’s work in building relations between Anglicans and Roman Catholics.
Doctor speaks of Pope Francis’ final hour
Pope Francis’ doctor has given several newspaper interviews explaining that in Pope Francis’ final hours, he was in a coma with his eyes open, breathing with oxygen and unresponsive to efforts to revive him. Dr. Sergio Alfieri said: “He died without suffering, at home’.
Cardinal says participating in conclave to elect Pope’s successor is “intimidating”
Cardinal Vincent Nichols, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales, has given an interview to BBC North West, on the “intimidating” prospect of participating in a conclave to elect Pope Francis’s successor. He said he never thought he would be voting because Pope Francis “didn’t show many signs of slowing down” and appeared to be recovering from his long stay in hospital due to double pneumonia. He also said that he was sure he would be coming home after the vote and not staying in Rome. BBC report of the interview here.
More analysis and comment on Pope Francis:
“Pope Francis’s funeral is loaded with potential for diplomatic awkwardness”, by Harriet Sherwood in The Guardian
Church divisions once more in public gaze: “Cardinal Müller: Church risks split if it elects a liberal pope”, by Tom Kington in The Times
“Meet the ‘papabile’: The likely contenders to become the next pope”, by RNS Vatican reporter, Claire Giangravé for the Religion News Service.
There are three podcasts from the Religion News Service on the Pope:
“Complexified” – Vatican Reporter Claire Giangravè on Pope Francis’ legacy
“Saved by the City” – Passing the Papal Torch: Claire Giangravé on Pope Francis’ Legacy
“State of Belief” – Father James Martin Reflects on Pope Francis
“Assessing Pope Francis’s most controversial decisions” (world politics, women, divorce, same sex relationships, Latin mass,) by Elise Ann Harris for Crux Now
“Could the next Pope be English?”, by Dominic Selwood for The Telegraph
“Pope Francis: ‘ethical helmsman’ whose feel for international relations steered church in turbulent times” by Dr Sara Silvestri in The Conversation
Other news
URC ‘laments’ impact of Supreme Court ruling on definition of a woman
The United Reformed Church says it “laments” the impact of the Supreme Court ruling on the legal definition of a woman and urges members to follow the example of Jesus, uplifting the marginalised and challenging the powerful. In a statement it says: “We lament that the Supreme Court ruling on the legal definition of a woman, attempting to clarify equality legislation, should have a negative impact on the lives of trans, intersex, non-binary/gender non-conforming people, who already experience significant marginalisation and misunderstanding within our society”. It says it has been at the forefront of moves to uphold the worth and dignity of all human beings and understands the challenge of protecting rights without putting some at risk or treating them less equally. It adds: “The United Reformed Church continues to follow the example of Jesus, who sat with, listened to and uplifted the marginalised in society, and used his influence to challenge the powerful. We invite our own members and others to do likewise”.
Presidents of Israel and Poland join Annual Auschwitz March
The Associated Press reports on the annual “March of the Living” at Auschwitz, when the Polish and Israeli presidents joined thousands of Israeli young people, Holocaust survivors and Israeli hostages held in Gaza. The aim of the march is to take a stand against antisemitism and was especially poignant this year, the 80th anniversary of liberation of Auschwitz from the Nazis, on 27 January 1945.
CofE earmarks cash to help parishes build housing on church land
The Church of England has announced it will provide £25,000 towards the cost of architects, consultants and other professional fees required to develop housing proposals on church land. In a statement, it says that the funding is from an overall grant of £4.25 million over five years to help dioceses and parishes in building homes on their land as a response to the housing crisis. A newly-formed Church of England Housing Project team is seeking parishes interested in, or already working on, developing homes that address the needs of their communities.
Bishop supports tobacco and vapes ban bill
The Bishop of Oxford, Dr Steven Croft, has supported a bill to ban the sale of tobacco and vapes to young people under 16. He told the Lords that choices have consequences for others, and a Christian response could be at the expense of an individual preference. Church Times report here.
Ten commandments display now obligatory in three US states
The Alabama House of Representatives has passed a series of bills requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in public school halls or common areas, banning teachers from displaying LGBT pride flags, and prohibiting school employees from using pronouns that do not align with students’ biological sex. Arkansas and Louisiana have passed similar bills on the Ten Commandments.
Pastor leads boycott of Target stores over diversity policy
The Rev Jamal Bryant, pastor of the New Birth Missionary Baptist mega church in Georgia, is calling for a national boycott of all 2,000 Target stores over the company’s decision to phase out diversity, equality and inclusion initiatives. Target is the seventh largest retail store chain in the USA, selling groceries and household goods, and responded saying it has an ongoing commitment to creating a welcoming environment for all team members, guests, and suppliers.
Muslim Brotherhood banned in Jordan
Jordan has banned the Muslim Brotherhood and seized assets, citing national security concerns. This follows the arrests of 16 people accused of links to a sabotage plot. Interior Minister Mazin Al Farrayeh said elements of the Muslim Brotherhood “worked in darkness to carry out activities that undermine stability and tamper with security and national unity.”
