The conclave starting May 7 will exclude 117 cardinals aged 80 or over from voting, due to reforms by Pope Paul VI. Cardinal Angelo Becciu, 76, also cannot vote due to a conviction for financial malfeasance. Despite not voting, over-80 cardinals can join preconclave meetings to discuss church needs and offer advice. The age limit is intended to relieve older cardinals from travel burdens and serves practical purposes. Ava Sinclair 29/04/2025 11:30 am
Four former pro-democracy lawmakers, part of the “47 democrats” in Hong Kong’s national security trial, were released after over four years in jail. Claudia Mo, Kwok Ka-ki, Jeremy Tam, and Gary Fan were freed amid tight security. The trial, stemming from 2019 protests, saw 45 of 47 charged with conspiracy to commit subversion under a Beijing-imposed law, with sentences up to 10 years. Only two were acquitted. The released individuals had been denied bail and were in custody for nearly two years before the trial began in 2023. Ava Sinclair 29/04/2025 8:00 am
President Trump criticized Russian leader Vladimir Putin and met with Ukrainian President Zelensky, signaling a pro-Ukraine stance while pursuing a peace deal. However, a U.S. peace proposal aligns with Putin’s interests, including Ukraine staying out of NATO. Trump and Secretary of State Rubio have threatened to abandon talks if no deal emerges, with uncertainty over continued U.S. support for Ukraine. Danielle Pletka advises Ukraine to secure guarantees under Trump’s proposal. Trump hinted at a significant development in Russia-Ukraine talks soon but provided few details. Penelope Kingsley 29/04/2025 8:00 am
Pope Francis’ funeral in Rome drew world leaders, monarchs, and vast crowds for a grand ceremony blending Catholic rites with personal grief. Sixteen Reuters photographers captured the event’s scale and solemnity, including cardinals in red robes, nuns with rosaries, and exhausted pilgrims. The 88-year-old pope’s death on Easter Monday surprised many, prompting immediate coverage plans. Photographers from around the world, some experienced from Pope John Paul II’s 2005 funeral, documented the mourning and arrival of leaders like U.S. President Donald Trump, starting their day as early as 3 a.m. Penelope Kingsley 29/04/2025 8:00 am
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a three-day ceasefire in Ukraine starting May 8 to honor the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory in WWII. Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, Andrii Sybiha, urged for a monthlong ceasefire instead, emphasizing the need for a lasting peace. Previously, a U.S.-brokered 30-day ceasefire proposal was accepted by Ukraine but not by Russia, as Putin feared Ukraine might use the time to rearm. An earlier Easter truce also failed to hold. Penelope Kingsley 29/04/2025 8:00 am
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a three-day ceasefire from May 8-10 to mark the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany. The U.S. is urging a swift peace deal to end the conflict that began with Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. President Trump is frustrated with the lack of progress and seeks a permanent ceasefire. Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha expressed readiness for a lasting peace but questioned the delay in halting attacks. Putin warned of a response if Ukraine violates the truce. Penelope Kingsley 29/04/2025 4:30 am
An SUV crashed into a crowd at a Filipino heritage festival in Vancouver, killing 11 and injuring 32. The suspect, a 30-year-old with mental health issues, faces multiple murder charges. Such “vehicle as a weapon” attacks have led to increased security measures in public spaces. In a similar incident, 15 were killed in New Orleans on New Year’s Day 2025, with the suspect dying in a police shootout. These attacks often stem from extremist motives or mental health issues. Penelope Kingsley 29/04/2025 4:30 am
In St. Peter’s Square, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re delivered a homily for Pope Francis’s funeral, emphasizing faith’s assurance of eternal life. He thanked attendees, including global leaders, for honoring the late Pope. The homily highlighted the profound impact of Pope Francis’s pontificate and recalled his final public blessing on Easter Sunday. The Cardinal entrusted Pope Francis’s soul to God, invoking the Gospel passage where Peter affirms his love for Christ. The ceremony celebrated Pope Francis’s enduring legacy and faith. Noah Prescott 29/04/2025 4:30 am
North Korean authorities confirmed their troops fought against Ukrainian forces in Russia’s Kursk region, claiming victory and describing their soldiers as heroic. Russian President Putin praised the North Korean troops for their valor, stating they covered themselves with glory. The Korean Central News Agency reported that North Korea’s Central Military Commission acknowledged their involvement in repelling Ukrainian forces. The operation was the largest Ukrainian offensive on Russian soil since 2022. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un hailed the troops as heroes, announcing a monument in Pyongyang to honor them. Penelope Kingsley 29/04/2025 4:30 am
Historically, the College of Cardinals has been hesitant about a U.S. pope, but this conclave might differ. Cardinal Joseph Tobin, 72, is a contender. Born in Detroit, Tobin joined the Redemptorists and was ordained in 1978. His extensive ecclesial experience, mostly outside the U.S., could alleviate concerns about an Americentric papacy. Tobin’s global missionary work and Vatican service make him well-known, especially in the developing world. A gifted linguist, he speaks multiple languages and has connections with influential figures like Pope Francis. Noah Prescott 29/04/2025 4:30 am
