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.
After spending 38 days in hospital battling double pneumonia, Pope Francis made his first public appearance on Sunday since February 14 and returned to the Vatican.
However, doctors have advised the 88-year-old pontiff to rest for another two months to fully recover, raising questions about how frequently he will be seen in public over the coming weeks.
The pope left Rome's Gemelli hospital and returned to his residence at the Casa Santa Marta (St. Martha's House) within the Vatican, a facility that has served as his home since his election in 2013. While the building, primarily a residence for Vatican priests, remains generally closed to the public, the pope resides on the second floor in a series of rooms.
During his recovery, the pope will be supported by a 24-hour nurse and will continue to receive supplemental oxygen if necessary. A new adjustable bed with electronic controls has been added to assist him, especially as he has used a wheelchair in recent years. Despite these adjustments, no special care arrangements have been made to accommodate him in Santa Marta.
While it is unclear how strictly the pope will adhere to his doctors' orders for rest, he has a history of pushing through illness, even continuing his duties from the hospital. In the past, he has maintained public appearances through video links when particularly unwell. However, with two months of recovery ahead, it is uncertain whether he will keep upcoming appointments, including a meeting with Britain’s King Charles on April 8 and leading the Vatican’s annual Easter celebrations on April 20.
Pope Francis, the first pope from the Americas, has made his residence at Casa Santa Marta a matter of personal preference, stating that he enjoys being around people. "I'm happy at Santa Marta because I have people around me," he has written, adding that he will stay there "so long as God wishes."
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.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for April 10th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
A quiet Thursday afternoon at St. Peter’s Basilica turned into something extraordinary, as visitors caught a rare glimpse of Pope Francis — not in his familiar white papal robes, but dressed in black trousers and a striped blanket.
In a dramatic about-face, U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced a 90-day pause on newly implemented tariffs for dozens of countries — a move that eased market turmoil but further escalated tensions with China.
Several regions in Ukraine faced heightened alert on Palm Sunday, as reports of explosions and missile threats drew public attention and official responses.
U.S. President Donald Trump will personally attend a key meeting with Japanese trade officials on Wednesday, signaling his direct involvement in negotiations stemming from his recent wave of tariffs on global imports.
Türkiye has firmly rejected Greece's unilateral actions and claims regarding maritime spatial planning (MSP) in the Aegean Sea and Eastern Mediterranean, asserting that these actions will have no legal consequences for Ankara.
A passenger boat caught fire and capsized late Tuesday on the Congo River, killing at least 50 people and leaving hundreds more missing, officials confirmed Wednesday. The tragedy occurred near the northwestern town of Mbandaka in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
A new wave of attacks targeting French prisons has emerged overnight, with cars set on fire at several facilities, including at the Tarascon prison in southern France.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi is set to visit Russia on Thursday, ahead of a second round of talks between Tehran and the United States regarding Iran's nuclear program. According to Russia’s RIA state news agency, Araqchi will meet with senior Russian officials during the visit.
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