From the Vatican’s tolling bells to the Eiffel Tower going dark and candlelit vigils in Nairobi, cities on every continent paused this week to mourn Pope Francis, turning plazas, cathedrals and national monuments into a single, global memorial.
Pope Francis: Tributes, mass and vigils held in towns and cities across the world
Italy – The bells of St Peter’s Basilica tolled and Vatican flags dropped to half‑mast as thousands filed into evening prayers in the square.
France – Paris’ Notre Dame rang its bells 88 times—one for each year of Francis’ life—before the Eiffel Tower went dark at 23:30.
Spain – Madrid declared three days of mourning; a packed Mass at Almudena Cathedral drew worshippers who hailed him as a pope “of love and inclusion.”
Croatia & Bulgaria – Crowds gathered outside Zagreb’s cathedral, while candles burned in Sofia’s St Joseph’s as clergy honoured Francis’ concern for the marginalised.
United Kingdom – A Requiem Mass at Westminster Cathedral led by Cardinal Vincent Nichols coincided with flags flying half‑mast across London.
Latin America
Argentina – President Javier Milei ordered seven days of national mourning; Buenos Aires Cathedral overflowed with candle‑bearing faithful paying homage to their “father of mercy.”
Brazil – President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva decreed a week‑long mourning period, while Rio’s Christ the Redeemer statue prepared a special illumination in Francis’ memory.
Mexico & Peru – Major shrines scheduled all‑night rosaries; Lima projected the pontiff’s image across the Magic Water Circuit fountains.
North America
United States – President Trump ordered federal flags to half‑staff; churches from New York to Los Angeles held memorial liturgies, with Catholic leaders calling Francis “the People’s Pope.”
Canada – Prime Minister Mark Carney praised the pope’s “moral clarity,” while Toronto’s cathedral drew crowds recalling his 2022 apology to residential‑school survivors.
Africa
Democratic Republic of Congo – Kinshasa’s Our Lady of the Congo Cathedral hosted a packed sunset Mass, echoing the million‑strong crowd Francis drew there in 2023.
Kenya – Nairobi believers linked his Easter‑Monday passing to the “resurrection promise,” holding street vigils and painting murals of the pontiff.
Nigeria – The Catholic Secretariat issued a national statement of grief, and Lagos archbishop Alfred Martins called Francis “a fresh breath of life” during a televised homily.
Middle East
Israel – Worshippers placed a portrait of the pope inside Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre and offered evening prayers.
Egypt – President Abdel Fattah el‑Sisi and Al‑Azhar’s Grand Imam paid joint tribute, lauding Francis as “a voice for peace.”
Gulf & Levant – Cathedrals in Abu Dhabi and Beirut scheduled inter‑faith memorials, reflecting the pope’s landmark 2019 visit that opened new dialogue channels.
Asia
India – New Delhi declared three days of state mourning; Prime Minister Narendra Modi called Francis “a beacon of compassion and hope.”
Philippines – Thousands packed Manila’s Cubao Cathedral, some calling him a “true father to us.”
South Korea – Seoul’s Myeongdong Cathedral overflowed as the government weighed sending a condolence delegation to the Vatican.
East Timor – President José Ramos‑Horta ordered flags at half‑staff for a week and a nationwide Mass of thanksgiving.
Oceania
Australia – Sydneysiders laid flowers outside St Mary’s Cathedral at dawn, praising the pontiff’s push for Church transparency.
New Zealand – St Patrick’s Cathedral in Auckland held a special evening liturgy, with bishops urging faithful to “walk humbly, as he did.”
Following the death of Pope Francis at the age of 88, the Catholic Church is preparing to elect his successor — a pontiff likely to reflect a more centrist or traditionally conservative vision, according to church analysts, according to the New York Post.
Hungary’s persistent attempts to undermine EU efforts in support of Ukraine have pushed member states to seriously consider invoking Article 7 of the EU treaty — the bloc’s most severe disciplinary tool, which could strip Budapest of its voting rights, The Guardian reports.
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From the Vatican’s tolling bells to the Eiffel Tower going dark and candlelit vigils in Nairobi, cities on every continent paused this week to mourn Pope Francis, turning plazas, cathedrals and national monuments into a single, global memorial.
Ukraine and Russia have signaled a renewed willingness to pursue peace, as Kyiv prepares for high-level talks in London and Moscow voices support for diplomatic solutions to the ongoing conflict.
Following the death of Pope Francis at the age of 88, the Catholic Church is preparing to elect his successor — a pontiff likely to reflect a more centrist or traditionally conservative vision, according to church analysts, according to the New York Post.
Hungary’s persistent attempts to undermine EU efforts in support of Ukraine have pushed member states to seriously consider invoking Article 7 of the EU treaty — the bloc’s most severe disciplinary tool, which could strip Budapest of its voting rights, The Guardian reports.
South Korean Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok departed for Washington on Tuesday to lead high-level trade negotiations with U.S. officials.
Klaus Schwab, founder of the World Economic Forum, whose annual gathering of business and political leaders in the Swiss mountain resort of Davos became a symbol of globalisation, has resigned as chair of its trustees.
The Vatican has announced that Pope Francis' funeral will take place on Saturday, April 26, at 10:00 a.m. local time (0800 GMT) at St. Peter's Basilica.
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.
The Holy Fire ceremony stands as one of Christianity's most enduring and mysterious rituals, drawing thousands of pilgrims to Jerusalem each year.
Pope Francis's relationship with Azerbaijan has evolved significantly over the years, characterized by diplomatic exchanges, promotion of religious tolerance, and peace advocacy in the Caucasus region.
Severe rainfall on April 17 led to flooding and landslides in the Piedmont region, prompting a large-scale emergency response from over 400 firefighters.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for April 16th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
At least 16 people, including women and children, lost their lives and over 30 others were injured when a passenger vehicle veered off the road and fell into a ravine in Pakistan’s Sindh province, local authorities said.
Following the death of Pope Francis at the age of 88, the Catholic Church is preparing to elect his successor — a pontiff likely to reflect a more centrist or traditionally conservative vision, according to church analysts, according to the New York Post.
Hungary’s persistent attempts to undermine EU efforts in support of Ukraine have pushed member states to seriously consider invoking Article 7 of the EU treaty — the bloc’s most severe disciplinary tool, which could strip Budapest of its voting rights, The Guardian reports.
South Korean Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok departed for Washington on Tuesday to lead high-level trade negotiations with U.S. officials.
Klaus Schwab, founder of the World Economic Forum, whose annual gathering of business and political leaders in the Swiss mountain resort of Davos became a symbol of globalisation, has resigned as chair of its trustees.
Following the death of Pope Francis at the age of 88, the Catholic Church is preparing to elect his successor — a pontiff likely to reflect a more centrist or traditionally conservative vision, according to church analysts, according to the New York Post.
Hungary’s persistent attempts to undermine EU efforts in support of Ukraine have pushed member states to seriously consider invoking Article 7 of the EU treaty — the bloc’s most severe disciplinary tool, which could strip Budapest of its voting rights, The Guardian reports.
South Korean Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok departed for Washington on Tuesday to lead high-level trade negotiations with U.S. officials.
Klaus Schwab, founder of the World Economic Forum, whose annual gathering of business and political leaders in the Swiss mountain resort of Davos became a symbol of globalisation, has resigned as chair of its trustees.
The Vatican has announced that Pope Francis' funeral will take place on Saturday, April 26, at 10:00 a.m. local time (0800 GMT) at St. Peter's Basilica.
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