Day: April 26, 2025

Vatican City: A group of poor people will welcome the late Pope Francis’s body at St. Mary Major where he will be buried Saturday, the Vatican said Thursday. According to Philippines News Agency, the body will be taken from St. Peter’s, where he has been lying in state and viewed by tens of thousands, to the Marian Basilica at a walking pace on Saturday morning. Santa Maria Maggiore was beloved of Francis who always prayed to the Virgin there before and after foreign trips. “The poor have a privileged place in the heart of God. So also in the heart

Vatican City: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos on Saturday joined world leaders and the Catholic faithful in paying final respects to Pope Francis. The First Couple went to St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City for the late pontiff’s funeral, which started at 4 p.m. (PH time). According to Philippines News Agency, around 170 world leaders and 200,000 people attended Pope Francis’ funeral, as stated by the Presidential Communications Office. In an interview with GMA News upon their arrival in Vatican, the First Lady recalled her memories of meeting Pope Francis, describing him as ‘humble [and]

Quezon City: The Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) is on heightened alert in the wake of reported threats and violence against journalists amid the election season. ‘Ang (The) Presidential Task Force on Media Security ay (is) on alert these weeks, especially ahead of the midterm elections,’ PTFoMS executive director Undersecretary Jose Torres Jr. said in a weekly news forum in Quezon City on Saturday. According to Philippines News Agency, Torres cited the case of dzRH reporter Romeo Be±as who was threatened by La Paz, Abra Mayor Joseph Bernos through Facebook messenger and a video call on April 21.

Rome: United States President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania visited Pope Francis’ coffin at St. Peter’s Basilica on Saturday, offering a moment of silent prayer before the funeral. According to Philippines News Agency, Italian President Sergio Mattarella, joined by his daughter Laura, along with several other world leaders, also paid their respects ahead of the late pontiff’s final rites. Meanwhile, Trump also met with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky before the funeral service, Sky News quoted Vatican sources as saying. The two leaders agreed to meet later on Saturday after the funeral, according to the report.

Nonthaburi: The quest for glory continues for Tennnielle Madis as she gears up for the Nonthaburi Closed Regional Championships in Thailand from April 28 to May 3. “Try and try until you succeed, that’s my mindset. I always give my best in every match so whatever the outcome, I learn from the experience,” the 17-year-old from M’lang, North Cotabato said in a statement. According to Philippines News Agency, after a runner-up finish in the doubles with Russian Alexandra Malova at the J200 ITF Kuala Lumpur on April 20, Madis made an early exit at the J300 ITF Kuching at the