Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Syrian sources: The Israeli occupation has begun withdrawing from the areas it infiltrated last night in the Quneitra countryside.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Massive bombings in eastern Gaza, the second within half an hour, and its sound was heard from central area.
Russian air defense units destroyed a drone that was heading toward Moscow.
Maduro: Tomorrow, a business meeting will be held bringing together hundreds of entrepreneurs from advanced Russian industries with hundreds of Venezuelan businesspeople.
Maduro: In the face of threats, Trinidad and Tobago agreed to suspend all effects of the energy agreement and everything that had been agreed upon in that regard.
Maduro: It’s time to make a choice, either stand with the warmongers who want death and violence, or stand with life.
Maduro: They want our wealth. This is not about drug trafficking, and they know it.
Maduro: Everyone in the world knows that what the economic elite ruling the United States seeks today is Venezuela’s oil, gas, and gold.
Maduro: The Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago is complicit and promoting war due to her personal, physical, mental, and moral weaknesses.
President Nicolás Maduro: A series of arrests have been carried out against what could be a group of mercenaries trained and funded by the CIA.

Pope Francis funeral set for Saturday as world leaders pay tribute

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 22 Apr 2025 15:36
3 Min Read

Among the world leaders who have confirmed their attendance are US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, both traveling to Rome to honor the Argentine-born pontiff.

Listen
  • x
  • Pilgrims arrive in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
    Pilgrims arrive in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Tuesday, April 22, 2025 (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

Pope Francis, who passed away on Monday at the age of 88 following a stroke, will be laid to rest this Saturday, the Vatican confirmed. The funeral will begin at 10:00 am local time (0800 GMT) in St. Peter's Square, with massive crowds and global dignitaries expected to attend.

Among the world leaders who have confirmed their attendance are US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who would both be traveling to Rome to honor the Argentine-born pontiff.

Francis, who had returned home recently after a five-week hospitalization for double pneumonia, spent his final moments at the Casa Santa Marta, the Vatican residence where he had chosen to live throughout his 12-year papacy. 

His coffin, constructed from wood and zinc in accordance with his earlier instructions, will be moved inside St. Peter's Basilica following the public service, and later transferred to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore for burial.

Papal transition

The process of choosing a new pope is already underway, with the first "general congregation" of cardinals held on Tuesday morning. This centuries-old procedure will culminate in the election of Francis's successor within the next three weeks.

Related News

Maduro says late Pope Francis warned him of US death threat

Pope Leo XIV commits to continuing Pope Francis' reform agenda

The Vatican also shared the first official photos of the late pontiff, who was shown lying in an open casket wearing red papal robes, a mitre on his head, and a rosary placed between his fingers. The images were taken during a private ceremony on Monday evening in the chapel of Casa Santa Marta, where he passed away.

Public viewing will begin on Wednesday at 9:00 am (0700 GMT), when the pope's body is moved to St. Peter's Basilica to lie in state.

Sister Nathalie Becquart, undersecretary to the synod of bishops, was among those who paid their respects. "I was very moved," she said. "Both sadness and gratitude for everything he gave."

Read more: Pope Francis died of stroke, willed to be buried in Rome

Vatican News, the Holy See's official media outlet, offered insight into the pope's final hours. According to the report, Francis became ill early Monday around 5:30 am, just one day after greeting worshippers in St. Peter's Square during the Easter Sunday celebration.

Before slipping into a coma, he reportedly turned to his personal nurse, Massimiliano Strappetti, and waved—a gesture Vatican News described as "a gesture of farewell."

Earlier that day, Francis had thanked Strappetti for persuading him to go on what would be his final appearance before the faithful. "Thank you for bringing me back to the Square," he was quoted as saying.

He was declared dead at 7:35 am on Monday morning.

"He did not suffer. It all happened quickly," Vatican News reported, citing those who were with him at the time of his passing.

  • Pope Francis
  • Vatican

Most Read

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

  • Technology
  • 24 Oct 2025
Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

  • Politics
  • 27 Oct 2025
Abu Hamza, the spokesperson for the Al-Quds Brigades, during a speech televised on October 22, 2025 (Al-Quds Brigades Military Media)

Al-Quds Brigades' Abu Hamza mourns leaders, vows continued resistance

  • Politics
  • 22 Oct 2025
US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

  • Africa
  • 23 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Delta Air Lines flight lands at Harry Reid International Airport, Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in Las Vegas (AP)
Politics

Nearly 3,800 US flights disrupted amid ongoing government shutdown

FILE - The Amazon logo is pictured at the Amazon Robotic Sorting Fulfillment Center in Madison County, Miss., Aug. 11, 2022. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File)
Economy

Amazon to cut 30,000 jobs in largest layoff in company history

Eurofighter Typhoon Spain's Air Force fighter jets fly above the military parade marking 'Día de la Hispanidad', or Hispanic Day, in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025. (AP)
Politics

UK sells 20 Eurofighter jets to Türkiye in £8bn defense agreement

Smoke billows after drone strikes by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) targeted the northern port in the Red Sea city of Port Sudan, Sudan, May 6, 2025 (AP)
Politics

RSF tightens El Fasher siege as Sudan risks fragmentation: Reuters

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS