Pope Francis’ body will lie in state until funeral on Saturday
The body of the late Pope Francis will be carried from the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta to St Peter’s Basilica this morning, where it will lie in state so that the faithful may pay their respects. The procession will pass through Santa Marta Square and into St. Peter’s Square, entering the Vatican Basilica through the central door. At the Altar of the Confession, the Cardinal Camerlengo will preside over the Liturgy of the Word, after which at around 11am, visits will commence until Friday evening. The Holy See Press Office has announced that Pope Francis’ funeral Mass will take place on Saturday 26 April at 10 am in St. Peter’s Square. Patriarchs, Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops, and priests from across the globe will attend, and they have already started to arrive in Rome. The King will be represented by Prince William. Cardinals will meet in early May to elect the Pope’s successor.
He told loyal nurse: ‘Thank you for bringing me back to the Square’
The Vatican has released details of the Pope’s last hours and his conversations with his personal health assistant, nurse Massimiliano Strappetti, who had been with him throughout his hospital stay and was by his side during the final hours. It says that the day before Easter Sunday, they had gone together to St. Peter’s Basilica to review the route he would take the following day when he was to appear on the balcony to give a blessing. “The late Pope wanted to offer one last, meaningful surprise to the 50,000 faithful with a ride in the popemobile on Sunday after the blessing on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica façade. However, Pope Francis did hesitate a bit and asked the opinion of Mr. Strappetti, asking him, ‘Do you think I can manage it?’. Once in St. Peter’s Square, he embraced the crowd, especially the children, since this was his first ride after being discharged from Gemelli hospital, as well as the last outing among the faithful of his life. Tired but content, the Pope afterwards thanked his personal healthcare assistant, saying, ‘Thank you for bringing me back to the Square.’.” The following morning, the Pope lapsed into a coma and died “a discreet death, almost sudden, without long suffering or public alarm”.
Worldwide response, analysis and comment on his legacy
“Inside the conclave: the politics of choosing a new pope”, Kaya Burgess in The Times
“The Pope dodged the culture wars. His successor won’t have that option”, Fraser Nelson in The Times
“A bloke called Kevin from Dublin’: Irish-American cardinal who will run papal conclave” Rory Carroll, Ireland correspondent, The Guardian
“Look to his stand on Gaza: Pope Francis gave us moral leadership in amoral times”, Owen Jones, The Guardian
Cardinal Vincent Nichols Thought for the Day on 21 April – transcript here
“Watching and waiting: customs and ceremonies surrounding death of a pope”, Miles Pattenden, The Catholic Herald
“Gaza’s Christians ‘heartbroken’ for Pope who phoned them nightly”, by Nidal Al-Mughrabi and Maya Gebeily, Reuters
“Pope Francis: a prophet of hope in a despairing world”, editorial in The Tablet
“In Argentina, debates over Pope Francis’ legacy lead to one question: Why didn’t he return?”, by Almudena Calatrava and Isabel Debre, Associated Press
“UK Muslim leaders pay tribute to ‘voice of conscience’ Pope Francis”, by Saman Javed, Hyphen Online
Other news:
Board of Deputies investigates all 36 signatories of FT Gaza letter
Jewish News and the Jewish Chronicle report that the Board of Deputies has suspended the vice-chair of its international division, Harriet Goldenberg, pending an investigation into complaints regarding a letter published by the Financial Times, signed by 36 board members, which criticised Israel over the war in Gaza. The reports say that the Board also asked under 35s representative Nat Kunin to step back from his role on the executive. Board of Deputies president, Phil Rosenberg, is quoted saying only democratically-elected honorary officers and authorised staff of the Board of Deputies can speak on behalf of the organisation: “We take alleged breaches of the code of conduct seriously”. The constitution committee is reviewing cases against all 36 signatories after complaints were received.
Eric Gill watercolour re-instated in Methodist Art Collection – with explanation
The watercolour “Annunciation”, by the controversial artist Eric Gill who sexually abused two of his daughters, is to be displayed again after extensive consultation between the Methodist church and survivors. A Methodist church statement reads: “Annunciation” is part of the Methodist Modern Art Collection and had been in the permanent touring collection until it was withdrawn in 2017 and placed in the Reserve Collection. It was also removed from the MMAC’s website. Discussions re-started in 2022 about what should happen to the artwork, and the Methodist Survivors’ Advisory Group was consulted for its views. Extensive and careful consultations with the survivors resulted in a long-term goal of reinstating the artwork on the website, with a full explanation of Gill’s history in relation to the sexual abuse of his daughters and his sisters. Survivors felt this artwork should not be hidden away or “swept under the carpet” as sexual abuse has been in the past”. Full statement here
US Veterans told to report anti-Christian bias
The US Department of Veteran Affairs Secretary Douglas Collins has told employees to report any instances of anti-Christian bias, including any policies that are “hostile to Christian views” or punishments for displaying Christian symbols. Bob Smietana, writing for the Religion News Service, says Collins is a former Southern Baptist pastor and Air Force chaplain turned politician, whose list of discrimination includes retaliation in response to requests for religious holidays. Report is here
Bradford becomes fifth cathedral to win an environmental award
Bradford Cathedral has become the fifth English cathedral to be awarded the Gold Eco Church award by the Christian conservation charity A Rocha UK, reflecting its public influence on the environment and climate change. It has adapted the cathedral’s liturgy to incorporate creation care, developed environmentally-focussed prayers, encouraged preachers to include care of creation, has a net zero action plan including recycling of candles and using environmentally-friendly cleaning products, conserved gardens and increased biodiversity. The other four cathedrals holding the award ar Salisbury, Chelmsford, Ely, and Chichester cathedrals. The announcment was made yesterday “Earth Day”, when churches across the world took part in climate change events.
