Pope Francis Dies; World Leaders to Attend Funeral

Pope Francis has died at the age of 88, leading to tributes commemorating his legacy as the first Latin American pope and a champion of humility and social justice. World leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, have announced plans to attend the funeral in Rome, which will take place within four to six days pending Vatican confirmation. President Trump ordered U.S. flags flown at half-staff and publicly praised the pontiff, despite their previous disagreements. The Vatican confirmed that Pope Francis requested a simple burial in Rome, departing from traditional papal burial practices. Mourning has spread across the Catholic world, with crowds gathering at the Vatican and in the Maritimes. Online, reactions to Trump’s announcement have been mixed, reflecting both respect for the occasion and ongoing political discussions.