Pope puts Sagrada Familia architect Gaudi on path to sainthood
Pope Francis has approved the first step towards sainthood for Antoni Gaudi, the modernist architect behind Barcelona's "Sagrada Familia" basilica, the Vatican said on Monday.
Vatican City, Feb 17 — Pope Francis spent a fourth consecutive day in Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Monday, as he continues treatment for a respiratory tract infection, the Vatican confirmed. Officials stated that the 88-year-old pontiff remains in stable condition.
Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni reported that Pope Francis had slept well overnight and eaten breakfast on Monday. A further update on his health is expected later in the day.
Francis was admitted to the hospital on Friday after struggling with bronchitis for over a week. Doctors have recommended complete rest, leading to the cancellation of his scheduled public engagements, including his traditional Sunday prayer at St. Peter’s Square and a special mass for artists marking the Catholic Church’s Jubilee Year.
Despite his hospitalization, the pope has maintained contact with the outside world. Italian broadcaster Mediaset reported that he made phone calls over the weekend to members of a Catholic parish in Gaza. A parish member noted that Francis was in “good humor” but sounded “a bit tired.”
On Sunday, the Vatican reiterated that his condition was stable and that he would remain hospitalized “as long as required.” His planned visit to Rome’s Cinecittà film studios, scheduled for Monday, has been canceled.
Expressing gratitude for the well-wishes he has received, the pope wrote on X, formerly Twitter: “Thank you for the affection, prayer, and closeness with which you accompany me in these days.”
Francis, who has faced ongoing health challenges in recent years, underwent abdominal surgery last year and has been seen using a wheelchair due to knee pain. His latest hospitalization raises fresh concerns about his ability to maintain his demanding schedule as leader of the Catholic Church.
The Vatican is expected to provide further updates on his condition in the coming days.
The Russian ruble has emerged as the top-performing currency globally in 2025, registering an impressive 38% appreciation against the US dollar since the beginning of the year, according to a report by Bloomberg.
A small plane crashed near Kopake, New York, on April 13, killing at 6 people. The Mitsubishi MU-2B aircraft, carrying six people, went down under unclear circumstances. This marks the second aviation accident in New York in a week, raising safety concerns.
Several regions in Ukraine faced heightened alert on Palm Sunday, as reports of explosions and missile threats drew public attention and official responses.
The Holy Fire ceremony stands as one of Christianity's most enduring and mysterious rituals, drawing thousands of pilgrims to Jerusalem each year.
Severe rainfall on April 17 led to flooding and landslides in the Piedmont region, prompting a large-scale emergency response from over 400 firefighters.
Jordan's King Abdullah II and Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi held a phone conversation on Saturday to discuss ongoing efforts to end the Israeli war on Gaza, which has been ongoing since October 7, 2023.
Elon Musk announced on Saturday that he plans to visit India later this year, following a discussion with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi about potential collaboration in technology and innovation.
Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said of Oman is scheduled to visit Moscow on Monday, just days after the commencement of a new round of U.S.-Iran nuclear talks mediated by Muscat.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance met with senior Vatican officials on Saturday for talks that the Vatican described as "cordial," following ongoing criticisms of the Trump administration’s policies, particularly regarding immigration.
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a temporary ceasefire in Ukraine for Easter, set to last from 6 p.m. Moscow time (1500 GMT) on Saturday until midnight (2100 GMT) following Easter Sunday.
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