The Nation Newspaper

Category: Foreign

  • EU Commission fines Apple, Meta €700m for violation

    EU Commission fines Apple, Meta €700m for violation

    The European Commission has imposed 700 million euros in fines on Apple and Meta, accusing them of violating EU legislation on digital markets.

    Apple was ordered to pay 500 million euros, while Meta received a 200 million euro penalty. The fines can still be contested in court.

    The companies are alleged to have violated the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), which regulates large online platforms operating in the bloc.

    The penalties could have an impact on the current tensions between the United States and the EU, particularly over trade.

    The Republican leadership in Washington sees fines imposed by Brussels on big U.S. businesses as a form of taxation.

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    The commission, the EU’s executive arm, argues that proceedings against U.S. companies are not related to geopolitical tensions, and that they are “firm but balanced.”

    EU Commission Vice-President Teresa Ribera said “Apple and Meta have fallen short of compliance with the DMA by implementing measures that reinforce the dependence of business users and consumers on their platforms.’’

    Apple is accused by Brussels of having restricted app developers in marketing their products outside Apple’s own app store and failing “to demonstrate that these restrictions are objectively necessary and proportionate,” a commission press release said.

    Apple announced it would appeal against the fine.

    Yesterday’s announcements are yet another example of the European Commission unfairly targeting Apple in a series of decisions that are bad for the privacy and security of our users.

    “It is also bad for products, and forces us to give away our technology for free,’’ the company said.

    Meta’s fine is linked to its so-called pay-or-consent model in place between March and November 2024, under which Facebook and Instagram users in the EU had to choose between a monthly subscription for an ad-free version and a free version with personalised advertising.

    This model violated the DMA, as it did not give users the required specific choice to opt for a service that uses less of their data but is otherwise equivalent to the ‘personalised ads’ service,” the commission said.

    Apple and Meta were ordered to comply with the DMA within 60 days, otherwise, they risk periodic penalty payments, the commission stated.

     The fines are the first non-compliance decisions under the DMA, which entered into force in 2022.

    The penalties could in theory have been higher, the EU law provides for the possibility of imposing fines of up to 10 per cent of annual global turnover. For repeat offenders, this rate can rise to 20 per cent.

    In 2024, Apple reported a turnover of just fewer than 400 billion dollars while Meta stated a turnover of around 165 billion dollars.

  • Emulate Pope,  NNPP chief tells leaders

    Emulate Pope,  NNPP chief tells leaders

    A Southwest chieftain of New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Olufemi Ajadi, has urged leaders to emulate the selfless service of the late Pope Francis.

    He joined Christians in mourning the Vatican leader.

    Read Also: Tinubu to world leaders: time for climate action is now

    Ajadi said leaders should honour the late Pope with  high principle, justice, equity, fairness and show of love.

    He said the death, coming during the celebration of Jesus Christ’s resurrection, was significant.

    Ajadi said his death; hours after his address at Easter Sunday at the Vatican, should be a lesson that death can come any time

    He urged world leaders to emulate the late Pope’s message of mercy for the marginalised, refugees, migrants and the forgotten.

  • NSCIA consoles Catholics on Pontiff’s death

    NSCIA consoles Catholics on Pontiff’s death

    Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has described the late Pope Francis as a humane, humble and fair-minded servant of the God.

    In a letter of condolence by NSCIA’s Deputy National Legal, Haroun Muhammad, NSCIA, on behalf of Muslims in Nigeria, condoled with the Catholics on the transition of Pope Francis.

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    The letter said: “The late Pontiff was a humane, humble and fair-minded servant of the Almighty. The fact that the last public pronouncement of the late Pope called for a ceasefire in the war against the people of Gaza and the Palestinians is a testament to the late Pope’s commitment to a just and equitable world…

     “In memory of the late Pope, we renew the commitment of the NSCIA to dialogue, peace and understanding among all faiths.

    “May the Almighty comfort the Catholic community and guide them towards the election of an equally equitable and just leader.”

  • ‘ECOWAS’ institutions  to leave Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger’

    ‘ECOWAS’ institutions  to leave Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger’

    Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has concluded arrangements to relocate its institutions from Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger following their withdrawal from the body.

    ECOWAS Council of Ministers in Accra deliberated on  plans for the withdrawal and future engagement with the three, which have formed Alliance of Sahel States.

    In his address, Council Chair, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, said the council will examine relocation of the institutions and agencies in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, toward mitigating disruptions caused by their exit.

    Read Also: Tinubu to world leaders: time for climate action is now

    Tuggar, in a statement by his media aide, Alkasim Abdulkadir, urged ECOWAS ministers to view the crisis as an opportunity for institutional renewal and a recommitment to regional integration.

    He emphasised that ECOWAS remains the most integrated regional bloc in Africa, underpinned by harmonised policies and a shared vision for political, economic and security cooperation.

    The statement reads: “As we look ahead, our responsibility is to maintain the ECOWAS legacy and pass it on stronger to the next generation. Our unity has been tested before—and we emerged stronger. We will do so again,” he declared. The Chair concluded by calling on his colleagues to engage in constructive deliberations and to ensure the effective implementation of the withdrawal, reaffirming that ECOWAS remains the premier platform for addressing West Africa’s collective challenges.

    “Membership, as the saying goes, has its privileges.”

    He also congratulated Ghana and the ECOWAS Commission on the successful launch of the “ECOWAS at 50” celebrations”, describing the commemorative activities as a timely reflection of the bloc’s achievements and aspirations.

    “This gathering demonstrates our unwavering commitment to the advancement of our regional community and the fulfillment of ECOWAS’s core purpose,” the chair stated.

  • Africans root for first Black pope in modern history

    Africans root for first Black pope in modern history

    Catholic Church membership in Africa is growing. Names of cardinals from Ghana, Congo and Ivory Coast are circulating among the possible candidates. But, Vatican insiders are sceptical that any will become pope.

    Africans are hoping one of their own could become the first Black pope in modern history and build on Francis’s legacy of championing the developing world, though the chances of that happening appear slim.

    A continent where religion permeates most aspects of private and public life, Africa is where the Roman Catholic Church is growing fastest, according to Vatican figures published last month, opens new tab.

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    African Catholics attending services honouring Francis after his death on Monday said a Black pope was long overdue.

    “To have a Black pope would revive the Christian faith in Africa and change people’s views of Africa, by showing that an African can hold this office,” said Charles Yapi, a Catholic priest in Ivory Coast’s commercial capital Abidjan.

    Scholars researching the early Church have cited evidence that some first millennium popes were born in North Africa or were of African descent, though details are scant. One or more may have been Black.

    Some African contenders’ names have been circulating, but Vatican insiders are sceptical that any of them have a realistic chance of becoming pope, partly because none have been subjected to the same level of public scrutiny as most Western cardinals.

    That is a potential concern for an institution that has been shaken by devastating scandals in recent decades. In any case, forecasting who will become pope is notoriously tricky.

    African cardinals tip as pope

    Among African clerics tipped as potential popes are Ghanaian Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson, 76, Democratic Republic of Congo’s Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, 65, the archbishop of Kinshasa, and Ivory Coast’s Cardinal Ignace Bessi Dogbo, 63.

    Africa boasted about 20% of the world’s Catholics in 2023 and added 9 million worshippers the previous year.

    Choosing Turkson as pope would be a fitting recognition of that growth and also inspire African prelates, said Archbishop John Bonaventure Kwofie in Accra, who has known Turkson since the 1970s and was ordained by him as a bishop.

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    “Although it’s something I cannot bet on, as the cardinals who will make the selection will be led by the Holy Spirit, it will be good to have him as the next pope as this will motivate all bishops on the continent,” Kwofie told Reuters.

    However, some clerics said that a pope’s values mattered more than his home country or race.

    “We pray that the Holy Spirit will give the Church a good pastor, one who will guide the Church towards the true God,” said Congolese priest Josue-Misael Mobatila Kwilu after attending a service for Francis in Kinshasa.

    “Having a pope from Africa or another continent is not up to us.”

    The elevation of an African cardinal to the papal throne would be widely interpreted as a continuation of Francis’s track record of standing up for the poor and oppressed, migrants and civilians fleeing war.

    Congo’s President Felix Tshisekedi recalled Francis’s words during a 2023 visit to Congo: “Take your hands off the Democratic Republic of Congo. Take your hands off Africa! Stop suffocating Africa: it is not a mine to be exploited nor a land to be plundered.”

    Cardinals to discuss range of issues during conclave

    Andrea Gagliarducci, a Vatican analyst and journalist with the Catholic News Agency, explains that the discussions that happen in the conclave of cardinals – who will gather to elect a new pope – are generally kept secret.

    “In many cases, cardinals speak about general issues” such as family and the gospel, Gagliarducci told Al Jazeera.

     “But for example, during the general congregations that preceded Pope Francis’s election in 2013, there were also discussions about the financial issues of the church and how to reform the Roman Curia,” he said.

    Gagliarducci noted that the fact that 108 cardinals of the some 135 who will be eligible to vote in the conclave were appointed by Pope Francis, “tells you a lot about how much the pope has changed the college of cardinals”.

    “It does not say a lot about the election of the next pope, for one main reason: Now we have 135 cardinals that are going to be in a conclave,” he said.

    “These 135 cardinals never actually met together, so they will get to know each other during these meetings, and in that moment, everything will be very, very surprising.”

  • Cardinal Okpaleke among 135 Pope electors

    Cardinal Okpaleke among 135 Pope electors

    Catholic Bishop of Ekwulobia, Anambra State, Bishop Peter Okpaleke, remains Nigeria’s sole representative in the papal conclave to elect a new pope.

    Okpaleke was appointed a cardinal by the late Pope Francis in 2022 and will participate in the election of the new leader of the Catholic Church.

    His appointment as Bishop of Ahiara was met with resistance, but was eventually installed as Bishop of Ekwulobia.

    Despite the controversy, he has continued to serve the church and has held various positions, including Chairman of the Canon Law Commission of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN).

    The papal conclave will bring together 137 cardinal electors, including Bishop Okpaleke, to choose the new pope.

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    Three other Nigerian cardinals, Francis Arinze (92), John Onaiyekan (81), and Anthony Olubunmi Okogie (88), will attend the College of Cardinals meeting but will not have a vote having attained retirement age.

    Born on March 1, 1963, in Amesi, Anambra State, Bishop Okpaleke has had a distinguished career in the church, serving in various capacities, including as a priest, bishop, and cardinal.

    His educational background includes studying philosophy and theology at the Bigard Memorial Major Seminary in Ikot-Ekpene and Enugu.

    He was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Awka on August 22, 1990.

    With the conclave scheduled to take place in late April or early May, Bishop Okpaleke’s role in shaping the future of the Catholic Church will be significant.

  • Things to know about Pope Francis

    Things to know about Pope Francis

    Pope Francis died on Monday at 88. His death came just a day after he made a hopeful and cherished appearance at Saint Peter’s Square during Easter Sunday celebrations. Here are things to know about late Pope Francis:

    •Pope Francis failed to visit Argentina during papacy

    Pope Francis was born as Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936, in the Flores neighborhood of Buenos Aires. He was the eldest of five children in a deeply religious family of Italian immigrants.

    When he left Argentina’s capital to participate in the Vatican conclave to elect Pope Benedict XVI’s successor, he did not know it would be the last time he would see his hometown.

    The fact that Pope Francis never returned to his country after becoming the pontiff left some Argentines with a heavy heart.

    Speaking on Monday, Archbishop of Buenos Aires Jorge Ignacio García Cuerva said his parish was “orphans of a father who profoundly loved his country and had to learn to become the father of the whole world”.

    He also added that Francis becoming Pope “cost us as Argentines a little bit… Bergoglio left us to become Francis”.

    •Attended Salesian School in childhood

    As a boy, he was educated by the Salesians of Don Bosco, a religious order known for its emphasis on youth education and discipline, which influenced his later educational work.

    •Graduated as a chemical technician

    He earned a diploma in chemistry from Escuela Técnica Industrial Nº 27 Hipólito Yrigoyen and worked in a food lab before entering the seminary. His scientific training made him a rare pope with a STEM background.

    •Worked as a bouncer and janitor

    In his early adult life, he took on humble jobs—including working as a nightclub bouncer and janitor—experiences that grounded him and gave him a sense of the real struggles people face.

    • Lost part of a lung at 21

    At age 21, he suffered a severe respiratory illness that required removal of part of one lung. This health scare had a deep spiritual impact and helped clarify his vocation.

    • Joined the Jesuits in 1958

    He entered the Society of Jesus as a novice on March 11, 1958. The Jesuit order is known for its intellectualism, missionary work, and focus on education and social justice.

     Earned degrees in Philosophy and Theology

    He obtained a licentiate in philosophy in 1960 and later studied theology in Buenos Aires. He taught literature and psychology at Jesuit high schools while in formation.

    •Ordained a Priest in 1969

    Bergoglio was ordained a Catholic priest on December 13, 1969, marking the beginning of a pastoral career that would later revolutionise the global Church.

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    •Became Jesuit Provincial in Argentina

    In 1973, he became the head of the Jesuits in Argentina at just 36 years old, leading the order during a time of great political upheaval and violence in the country.

    •Rector of Jesuit Seminary

    He served as rector of the Jesuit seminary in San Miguel, Argentina, from 1980 to 1986, mentoring a generation of young priests and refining his own theological thought.

    • Studied in Germany and Ireland

    To improve his English and academic reach, he studied briefly in Ireland and later at the Sankt Georgen Graduate School in Germany, where he explored the works of theologian Romano Guardini.

     • Consecrated Auxiliary Bishop in 1992

    In 1992, Pope John Paul II appointed him auxiliary bishop of Buenos Aires, beginning his rise in the Catholic hierarchy.

    •Appointed Archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998

    He became archbishop following the death of his predecessor, leading the largest diocese in Argentina with a focus on social justice and outreach to the poor.

    Even as archbishop, he refused to live in the luxurious bishop’s residence, choosing a small apartment and cooking his own meals—a lifestyle he would continue as pope.

    • Created Cardinal in 2001

    Pope John Paul II elevated him to cardinal, giving him a global platform from which he became known for humility and theological depth.

    • Elected Pope on March 13, 2013

    Following Pope Benedict XVI’s historic resignation, the conclave elected Bergoglio pope, choosing a man few outside Latin America expected to ascend to the papacy.In a gesture symbolizing peace, humility, and care for the poor, he became the first pope to take the name Francis—setting the tone for a papacy rooted in service and compassion. He declined to live in the traditional Apostolic Palace, opting instead for a modest guesthouse, and continued using a simple white cassock without ornate embellishments.

  • ECOWAS@50: Tinubu challenges leaders on poverty, education

    ECOWAS@50: Tinubu challenges leaders on poverty, education

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has challenged West African leaders on the need to address the present reality confronting the region, which is poverty and high unemployment among the youth.

     President Tinubu spoke in Accra, Ghana, during the official launch of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Jubilee celebrations.

    He also charged them to invest in education, innovation and skill acquisition while promoting peace and inclusion.

    Tinubu, who was represented by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, according to a statement by Mr. Magnus Eze, Media aide to the Minister of State, said ECOWAS was a bold vision, which had crystallised.

    He, therefore, said the region is celebrating 50 years of progress, unity and resilience while rekindling the flame of solidarity that had guided the region through triumphs and trials.

    The President speech reads in part: “Five decades ago, our founding fathers from 15 nations envisioned regional economic integration, cooperation and shared prosperity. From the ashes of colonialism and the turbulence of post-independence struggles, they forged ECOWAS—a beacon of hope for our people. Their dream was not merely to dissolve borders but to build bridges of trade, cultural exchange, and mutual progress.

    “From the original Treaty of Lagos in 1975 to this momentous gathering here in Accra, ECOWAS has remained a pillar of integration and a beacon of hope for over 400 million citizens across our region.

    “Remarkably, our journey over the past five decades has not been without challenges. We have faced political instability, economic hardship, infrastructural deficits, and security threats. But we remain undaunted.

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    “We shall not relent in our commitment to a united, peaceful, purposeful, and prosperous West Africa.

    “Your excellencies and distinguished guests, today, we celebrate numerous remarkable achievements that distinguish ECOWAS as the most successful regional economic community on the African continent. We have established one of Africa’s most vibrant free trade areas in five decades, fostering intra-regional commerce and lifting millions from poverty.

    “We have championed peace through ECOMOG’s valiant efforts, mediating conflicts in Liberia, Sierra Leone and The Gambia.

    “We have introduced the ECOWAS passport, symbolising our commitment to free movement.

    “We have also advanced democratic norms, standing firm against tyranny and supporting transitions to constitutional governance.’

    He added: “However, the journey toward a truly united and prosperous region is far from over. We must confront the hard truths of our present reality.

    “Despite our shared vision, too many of our citizens still live in poverty, too many of our children lack access to quality education, and too many of our youth remain unemployed, disillusioned, or forced to seek opportunities abroad.

    “Our region continues to grapple with new and evolving threats — violent extremism, climate change and food insecurity. The wave of unconstitutional changes in our region seriously threatens the democratic gains we have painstakingly built.

    “As the current Chair of ECOWAS, I reaffirm Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to the fundamental principles that bind us: democracy, the rule of law, good governance, and regional solidarity. These are not just ideals; they are the foundations for peace, development, and the dignity of our people.

    “In this new chapter, we must reimagine ECOWAS as not just a Community of States but a Community of People.

    “We must place our young, dynamic, creative, and resilient people at the centre of our agenda. We must invest in education, innovation, and skills development to unleash the full potential of Africa’s future. We must seek to expand the frontiers of democracy. We must limit the forays of unconstitutional rule into the democratic space. We must always seek peace towards achieving the collaborations needed for development.

    “We must also deepen our economic cooperation, support intra-regional trade, and ensure that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) becomes a vehicle for genuine transformation. A prosperous West Africa is good for Africa and the world.”

    In deepening our integration, President Tinubu called for acceleration of the realisation of a single currency and strengthening infrastructure corridors to connect markets and minds.

    He said: “Your excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, let us use this Jubilee as a moment of renewal. Let us rededicate ourselves to the spirit of Pan-Africanism that inspired our founders. Let us build an ECOWAS that is more resilient, more inclusive, and more responsive to the needs of our people.

    “This moment calls for a renewed commitment to fostering unity and solidarity among Member States. It is a time to strengthen the bonds that tie us together through shared values, collective responsibility, and a common vision for a prosperous region.

    “In hopes of reconciliation and reintegration, we must remain open and willing to engage in sustained, constructive dialogue with our estranged brothers, those Member States currently outside our fold.

    “At the same time, there is an urgent need to implement bold, comprehensive reforms that will enhance our institutions’ effectiveness, relevance, and credibility to meet the challenges of today and the future.

    “By embracing these imperatives, the organisation can better respond to its people’s evolving needs and advance sustainable development, stability, and prosperity across the region.”

  • Next Pope: Possible candidates for the job

    Next Pope: Possible candidates for the job

    An old Italian saying warns against putting faith, or money, in any presumed front-runner ahead of the conclave, the closed-door gathering of cardinals that picks the pontiff. It cautions: “He who enters a conclave as a pope, leaves it as a cardinal”.

    But here are some cardinals who are being talked about as “papabili” to succeed Pope Francis, whose death at the age of 88 was announced by the Vatican on Monday. The current Nigerian Catholic Cardinals – Francis Arinze, Anthony Olubunmi Okogie, Peter Ebere Okpaleke, and John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan are not reported as part of those being considered.

    Cardinal Francis Arinze, born on November 1, 1932, he was named a cardinal in 1995; Cardinal Anthony Olubunmi Okogie, born on June 16, 1936, he was christened a cardinal in 1999; Cardinal Peter Ebere Okpaleke, born on March 1, 1963, he was named a cardinal in 2022; and Cardinal John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan, born on January 29, 1944, he was created a cardinal in 2012.

    Those being considered as the next Pope are listed in alphabetical order.

    Jean-Marc Aveline, archbishop of Marseille, French, aged 66

    According to the French press, he is known in some domestic Catholic circles as John XXIV, in a nod to his resemblance to Pope John XXIII, the round-faced reforming pope of the early 1960s.

    Pope Francis once quipped that his successor might take the name of John XXIV.

    Aveline is known for his folksy, easy-going nature, his readiness to crack jokes, and his ideological proximity to Francis, especially on immigration and relations with the Muslim world. He is also a serious intellectual, with a doctorate in theology and a degree in philosophy.

    Cardinal Peter Erdo, Hungarian (72)

    If Erdo is elected, he would inevitably be seen as a compromise candidate — someone from the conservative camp who has nonetheless built bridges with Francis’ progressive world.

    Erdo was already considered a papal contender in the last conclave in 2013 thanks to his extensive Church contacts in Europe and Africa as well as the fact that he was seen as a pioneer of the New Evangelisation drive to rekindle the Catholic faith in secularized advanced nations — a top priority for many cardinals.

    Cardinal Mario Grech, secretary general of the Synod of Bishops, Maltese (68)

    Grech comes from Gozo, a tiny island that is part of Malta, the smallest country in the European Union. But from small beginnings he has gone on to big things, appointed by Pope Francis to be secretary general of the Synod of Bishops — a heavyweight position within the Vatican.

    Initially viewed as a conservative, Grech has become a torchbearer of Francis’ reforms within the Church for years, moving sharply with the times.

    In 2008, several gay Maltese citizens declared they were leaving the Church in protest at what they saw as the anti-LGBT stance of the then pontiff — Pope Benedict.

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    Cardinal Juan Jose Omella, archbishop of Barcelona, Spanish (79)

    Omella is a man after Pope Francis’ own heart. Unassuming and good-natured, he lives a humble life despite his lofty title, dedicating his Church career to pastoral care, promoting social justice and embodying a compassionate and inclusive vision of Catholicism.

    “We must not see reality only through the eyes of those who have the most, but also through the eyes of the poor,” he told the Crux news site in April 2022, in words reflecting Francis’ world vision.

    He was born in 1946 in the village of Cretas in northeastern Spain. After being ordained in 1970 he served as a priest in a number of Spanish parishes and also spent a year as a missionary in Zaire, now called Democratic Republic of Congo.

    Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Italian, Vatican diplomat (70)

    A punters’ favourite, Parolin is seen as a compromise candidate between progressives and conservatives. He has been a Church diplomat for most of his life and served as Pope Francis’ secretary of state since 2013, the year Francis was elected.

    The position is similar to that of a prime minister and secretaries of state are often called the “deputy pope” because they rank second to the pontiff in the Vatican hierarchy.

    Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson, Ghanaian, Vatican official (76)

    From humble beginnings in a small African town, Cardinal Peter Turkson has gone on to great things in the Church, making him a contender to become the first pope from sub-Saharan Africa.

    He combines a long pastoral background of tending to congregations in Ghana with hands-on experience of leading several Vatican offices, as well as strong communication skills.

    He studied at seminaries in Ghana and New York, was ordained in 1975, and then taught in his former Ghanaian seminary and did advanced Biblical studies in Rome.

    Matteo Maria Zuppi, Italian, archbishop of Bologna (69)

    When Zuppi got a promotion in 2015 and became archbishop of Bologna, national media referred to him as the “Italian Bergoglio”, due to his affinity with Francis, the Argentine pope who was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio.

    Zuppi would be the first Italian pope since 1978.

    Cardinal Robert Sarah, Guinea  (79)

     At 79, Cardinal Robert Sarah stands as a strong voice for Catholic orthodoxy. Born in Guinea, Sarah has had a distinguished career within the Vatican, serving as Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments from 2014 until his retirement in 2021.

    Throughout his tenure, Sarah became known for his unwavering defence of traditional Catholic liturgy and doctrine, including his opposition to same-sex marriage, abortion, and modern gender ideologies. He has also publicly criticised Islamic extremism, positioning himself as a defender of both Catholic identity and global stability.

    In 2016, he sparked debate by advocating for priests to celebrate Mass facing the altar, a practice largely abandoned after the Second Vatican Council. His conservative theology and commitment to preserving the Church’s ancient traditions have earned him both respect and criticism within the Catholic world.

  • The process for funeral, congregation of cardinal electors

    The process for funeral, congregation of cardinal electors

    Pope Francis’ death initiates a centuries-old process of rituals and traditions that culminates with a conclave, a gathering of the church’s current 135 Cardinal Electors who are sealed inside the Sistine Chapel to elect the next pontiff.

    Here’s what’s to come in the following days.

    Day One

    The pope was formally pronounced dead by the Cardinal Camerlengo — currently Irish-born American Kevin Farrell — who is one of the most important Vatican officials during the interregnum period.

    Traditionally, the camerlengo (chamberlain) would tap a silver hammer on the pope’s head while calling out his baptismal name three times. The hammer is no longer used. Far more conventionally, an electrocardiogram was used to confirm John Paul II’s death in 2005.

    Once the camerlengo pronounces the pope dead, and before sealing the papal apartment, he breaks the pope’s Fisherman’s ring and destroys the dies used to make the papal seal for apostolic letters, to symbolise the end of the pontificate.

    These items will be buried with the pope. But first, the pontiff is transported to lie in state in St. Peter’s Basilica. Hundreds of thousands of mourners descended on Vatican City after the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI in 2022  to pay their respects.

    Pope Francis’s death will be followed by a nine-day mourning period called Novemdiales, a tradition that dates back to Roman times.

    Vatican flags will fly at half-staff, and the bronze doors of St Peter’s Basilica are closed.

    His funeral

    The funeral must take place four to six days after the pope’s death. Weather permitting, it will be held in St. Peter’s Square. Most recent popes have asked to be buried beneath the Basilica there, but Francis said he would be laid to rest in Rome’s St. Mary Major Basilica. He also asked to be buried in a simple wooden casket.

    The papal funeral is broken down into three separate phases, or “stations.” They are the preparation of the body, the viewing of the body, and then the burial.

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    At the funeral, attended by kings, queens, heads of state and religious leaders, the coffin will be carried through the so-called “door of death” to the left of the main altar, and a single bell will toll. The coffin will then be lowered into a marble sarcophagus and covered by a stone slab.

    During the nine-day mourning period, cardinals from around the world gather in Rome and begin meeting in “General Congregations,” a sort of campaigning period where various papal candidates give speeches about their visions for the church, mapping out the direction they think it should take.

    The conclave

    Between 15 and 20 days after the pope’s death, voting will begin, as the Cardinal Electors of the papal conclave isolate themselves from the world and begin the centuries-old process of choosing the next pope. Only cardinals under the age of 80 — currently a group of about 135 — are eligible to vote.

    Behind closed doors in the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel, the cardinals will cast ballots for their choice, repeating the process until a candidate emerges with a two-thirds-plus-one majority. The paper ballots are burned after each round of voting, sending up black smoke to signal no choice has been reached yet, and finally white smoke to reveal that a new pope has been selected.