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Pope Francis’ death at 88 has been mourned across the world, with tributes to his compassion, defence of the marginalised, advocacy for the poor, consistent appeals for world peace, and brave moves to open up decision-making in the church – “The very human, holy man of God”. Catherine Pepinster reports here.
In our briefing, Catholic commentators discussed the initiatives of Pope Francis and whether they would last, with an observation that the changes would be “very difficult to put back in the box”. The panel included Professor Tina Beattie, Catherine Pepinster, Sr Dr Gemma Simmonds, Fr Christopher Jamison, Prof Brendan Gallaher, Prof Anna Rowlands, Dr Lorna Gold and Kerry Weber. Links to recordings of the briefing on YouTube and as a podcast are here.
We’ve linked to many of the hundreds of articles on the Pope’s life and legacy published this week on our daily news bulletins. Here is a selection:
‘Three British cardinals to have vote on the next pope’, Kaya Burgess in The Times >>
The Vatican doctor said cause of death was a stroke, followed by a coma and irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse.
Immediate outpouring of affection and respect from world leaders collated here >>
Requiem Mass at Westminster Cathedral, Monday 21 April: Catholics mourn ‘merciful’ Pope after death aged 88 following stroke, in The Independent >>
Cardinal Vincent Nichols’ Thought for the Day on 21 April – transcript here.
‘Pope Francis: a prophet of hope in a despairing world’, editorial in The Tablet.
BBC One broadcast a documentary on Pope Francis’ life: ‘The People’s Pope’. View the documentary here.
Vatican News has published ‘The Pope’s Agenda’ listing rituals marking the death of Pope Francis, with orders of service and guides here >>
Pope Francis chose to be buried at Santa Maria Maggiore. Text of his wishes here >>
‘Pope Francis’s funeral is loaded with potential for diplomatic awkwardness’, by Harriet Sherwood in The Guardian.
‘A bloke called Kevin from Dublin’: Irish-American cardinal who will run papal conclave, Rory Carroll, Ireland correspondent, The Guardian
‘Inside the conclave: the politics of choosing a new pope’, Kaya Burgess in The Times
‘Which cardinals are seen as contenders to be the next pope?’ Associated Press >>
Other news…
| Board of Deputies investigates all 36 signatories of letter to the Financial Times, criticising Israel over war in Gaza >> Eve Kugler, Holocaust survivor, has died aged 94 >> ‘Pilgrimage’, on BBC2 is broadcast to rave reviews >> Eric Gill watercolour reinstated in Methodist Art Collection – with explanation >> Bradford becomes fifth cathedral to win Gold Eco environmental award >> Offensive graffiti at Lancashire parish church over Easter weekend ‘deeply shocking’ >> URC ‘laments’ impact of Supreme Court ruling on definition of a woman >> CofE earmarks cash to help parishes build housing on church land >> Sikh celebrations of Vaisakhi continue until 4 May, including this in Oxford First Indian Hindu temple in Stoke-on-Trent officially opens >> Protests at killing of 200 Christians in Nigeria >> Presidents of Israel and Poland join annual Auschwitz march >> Ten commandments school display now obligatory in three US states >> |
Interviews with Cathy Newman, Channel 4 news; Lord Russell Rook, adviser to the Faith Minister; and Sir Mark Thompson CEO of CNN and former BBC Director General. Panels on British Muslims; Community Relations and the Media; British Media and British Jews; and Millenials, Faith and the Digital Space.
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