Brian's Kenya

Funeral of Pope Francis to take place on Saturday

The Vatican has confirmed that the service for the late pontiff will be held in St Peter's Square on 26 April from 9am UK time.
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The body of Pope Francis is placed in an open casket. Pic: Vatican Media/­Handout/Reuters

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Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, left, prays in front of the body of Francis. Pic: Vatican Media/Handout/AP

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Pope Francis in 2014. Pic: AP

Royal Navy’s flagship HMS Prince of Wales begins eight-month deployment

As many as 4,500 military personnel will be involved in exercises in the Indo-Pacific region, which will include support from ships or personnel of 12 other nations, including Norway, Canada and Spain.
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HMS Prince of Wales pictured at Portsmouth Naval Base in February. Pic: PA

Pope Francis phoned Gaza’s only Catholic church ‘every day’ – as priest reveals details of last call

Speaking outside the Holy Family Church, Father Gabriel Romanelli paid tribute to the Pope and said it was a “very sad day”.
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Palestinian Christians paid tribute to the Pope in Gaza's only Catholic church

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Father Gabriel Romanelli spoke about the Pope's last call to his church community on Saturday

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The Holy Family Church in Gaza

Starmer and Zelenskyy discuss ending Russia’s ‘brutal war’ – as Putin says says he is open to bilateral talks on longer ceasefire

Asked by a state TV reporter about Volodymyr Zelenskyy's call for a 30-day ceasefire on civilian targets, Vladimir Putin said talks could be held bilaterally and added “we do not rule this out”.

Pope’s final testament released as he outlines burial wishes – read in full

Pope Francis asked to be buried “in the ground, without particular ornamentation” but with the inscription “Franciscus”.
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The Vatican shared the Pope's final testament with his burial wishes. Pic: The Vatican

Pope Francis died from stroke and heart failure, Vatican says

The pontiff, who fell into a coma before his death, asked to be buried “in the ground, without particular ornamentation” but with the inscription “Franciscus”.
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File pic: AP

Gangs behind billion-pound cyber scam industry expanding as they try to dodge government crackdowns – new UN report

South East Asian crime syndicates behind a multibillion-pound cyber scam industry are expanding targets and growing their business, a UN agency warned, adding that countries were reaching an “inflection point” to tackle the issue.

Podcast
Podcast
What’s the legacy of Pope Francis?

Analysis
Analysis
How the Pope remained a driving force behind his hectic schedule right to the end

Behind the scenes of Pope Francis' final days, there was an unseen clash of wills unfolding as the ailing pontiff was determined to keep going in spite of medical advice. Doctors prescribed two months of bed rest, but Francis went back to work.

‘British man’ dies after being dragged out of police station in Ecuador – reports

The man died from his burns after being dragged out of a police station by a group of people, according to local media.
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The incident reportedly happened in the Playas del Cuyabeno area of Sucumbios province