Australia's Election Campaign Pauses Amid Pope Francis Mourning

Australia's federal election campaign paused on Tuesday as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and opposition leader Peter Dutton suspended public events to pay respects following the death of Pope Francis. Both leaders attended church services—Albanese at Melbourne's St Patrick's Cathedral and Dutton at Sydney's St Mary's Cathedral—reflecting on the late pontiff's legacy rather than engaging in typical campaign activities. Albanese offered a rare public reflection on his Catholic faith, describing Pope Francis as a courageous leader who championed social justice and significant change within the Church. Despite the pause, early voting for the May 3 election began as scheduled, with the leaders set to resume the campaign and participate in a televised debate later in the evening. The temporary suspension underscored the pope’s influence in Australia and the respect afforded to his memory across the political spectrum. Both major parties are preparing for a closely contested election.