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Pope Francis led the Catholic Church for 12 years. The first Latin American in the office was as much a pastor as a pope, traditional as well as open to change. But he did not fulfill the many hopes for reform.
He was the first pope from Latin America, and the first Jesuit to head the Catholic Church. And never before had a church leader chosen this name: Francis, recalling Saint Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of ecology and of animals.
The choice was clearly meaningful. The son of a merchant, the original Francis renounced all riches, felt called by Jesus to a life of utter poverty and founded the Franciscan order. The pope's name did not evoke the pomp of papal palaces, nor the office of a head of church and state.
For the Argentine Jorge Mario Bergoglio, whom the cardinals elected pope in 2013, the choice of name was a program: Like no pope before him, he stood up for refugees and the homeless and fought for the protection of environment and the climate.
Now, after more than 12 years as head of the Catholic Church and the 266th bishop of Rome, Francis has died at the age of 88, making him the second-oldest pope in history.
Pope from the 'ends of the Earth'
Before his papal election in March 2013, Bergoglio spoke in a pre-conclave, in which the cardinals exchanged views on the state of the church. In what was later described as a "firebrand" address, he called for "bold freedom of speech" in the church. The Catholic Church, he said, should not revolve around itself.
The power of this speech could still be felt in the 2018 film "Pope Francis: A Man of His Word," by German director Wim Wenders. In the film, Francis spoke in a relatable way about the church's closeness to people on the margins. From the outset, the pope, who referred to himself as being from the "ends of the Earth" during his first public appearance in 2013, reached out to the marginalized.
All of this was in keeping with his demeanor. Unlike his predecessors, Francis did not move into the so-called Apostolic Palace, which towers high above St. Peter's Square. Instead, he stayed in two rooms in the Vatican guest house throughout his pontificate, dining with employees and guests at a simple buffet.
He repeatedly criticized globalization and capitalism, delivering his strongest political speeches in his early years in office. In doing so, he always appeared as an advocate for the poor and the Global South.
He addressed the European Parliament in 2014 and criticized "throwaway culture and an uncontrolled consumerism." Speaking before the US Congress and the United Nations in New York in 2015, he highlighted immigration and the refugee crisis. The phenomenon of US President Donald Trump, and what he stands for, remained alien to him.
Francis often called on the international community to implement rapid reforms, and to do more in terms of development aid and climate protection. He dedicated his most important encyclical letter, "Laudato Si," or "Praised Be" to this topic in 2015. This teaching letter for the preservation of creation reads like a political indictment — but it has rarely been heard. Francis followed up in 2023 with another strong letter on the subject, entitled "Laudate Deum." The longer he was in office, the more impatient this pope sounded.
He was the first pope from Latin America, and the first Jesuit to head the Catholic Church. And never before had a church leader chosen this name: Francis, recalling Saint Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of ecology and of animals.
The choice was clearly meaningful. The son of a merchant, the original Francis renounced all riches, felt called by Jesus to a life of utter poverty and founded the Franciscan order. The pope's name did not evoke the pomp of papal palaces, nor the office of a head of church and state.
For the Argentine Jorge Mario Bergoglio, whom the cardinals elected pope in 2013, the choice of name was a program: Like no pope before him, he stood up for refugees and the homeless and fought for the protection of environment and the climate.
Now, after more than 12 years as head of the Catholic Church and the 266th bishop of Rome, Francis has died at the age of 88, making him the second-oldest pope in history.
Pope from the 'ends of the Earth'
Before his papal election in March 2013, Bergoglio spoke in a pre-conclave, in which the cardinals exchanged views on the state of the church. In what was later described as a "firebrand" address, he called for "bold freedom of speech" in the church. The Catholic Church, he said, should not revolve around itself.
The power of this speech could still be felt in the 2018 film "Pope Francis: A Man of His Word," by German director Wim Wenders. In the film, Francis spoke in a relatable way about the church's closeness to people on the margins. From the outset, the pope, who referred to himself as being from the "ends of the Earth" during his first public appearance in 2013, reached out to the marginalized.
All of this was in keeping with his demeanor. Unlike his predecessors, Francis did not move into the so-called Apostolic Palace, which towers high above St. Peter's Square. Instead, he stayed in two rooms in the Vatican guest house throughout his pontificate, dining with employees and guests at a simple buffet.
He repeatedly criticized globalization and capitalism, delivering his strongest political speeches in his early years in office. In doing so, he always appeared as an advocate for the poor and the Global South.
He addressed the European Parliament in 2014 and criticized "throwaway culture and an uncontrolled consumerism." Speaking before the US Congress and the United Nations in New York in 2015, he highlighted immigration and the refugee crisis. The phenomenon of US President Donald Trump, and what he stands for, remained alien to him.
Francis often called on the international community to implement rapid reforms, and to do more in terms of development aid and climate protection. He dedicated his most important encyclical letter, "Laudato Si," or "Praised Be" to this topic in 2015. This teaching letter for the preservation of creation reads like a political indictment — but it has rarely been heard. Francis followed up in 2023 with another strong letter on the subject, entitled "Laudate Deum." The longer he was in office, the more impatient this pope sounded.
Klaus Schwab has led the WEF — the organization behind the prestigious Davos conference — for over 50 years. But Schwab's life work has also been criticized as a symbol of the elites' detachment from ordinary people.
The founder of the World Economic Forum (WEF), Klaus Schwab, resigned on Monday as chairman of the forum's board.
"Following my recent announcement, and as I enter my 88th year, I have decided to step down from the position of Chair and as a member of the Board of Trustees, with immediate effect," he said in a statement released by the WEF.
The German-born economist did not offer a reason for leaving the Geneva-based WEF, which organizes annual meeting of the international political and economic elite in the Swiss luxury ski resort of Davos.
Vice Chairman Peter Brabeck-Letmathe will serve as interim chairman, with the search for a new chair having begun after Schwab's resignation was accepted at an extraordinary meeting on April 20.
Davos summit as face of globalization
Schwab established the WEF in 1971 with the aim of creating a forum for policymakers and top corporate executives to tackle major global issues. The first conference was also held in Davos that year, with hundreds attending, including businesspeople, academics and politicians.
Over the decades, however, the WEF and the annual summit started drawing criticism from opponents on both left and right as being too elitist and detached from lives of ordinary people. Schwab himself was targeted by various conspiracy theorists in recent years. One viral controversy links him to the "You'll own nothing. And you'll be happy" quote which was published by the WEF in a 2016 video clip.
The video speculates on the ways the world could change by 2030. Schwab has never said or wrote the words shown on screen, which are actually based on an essay by Danish politician Ida Aukens about possible futures "for better and for worse." However, many have interpreted the video as proof of the WEF working to create a dystopian future without private ownership.
The founder of the World Economic Forum (WEF), Klaus Schwab, resigned on Monday as chairman of the forum's board.
"Following my recent announcement, and as I enter my 88th year, I have decided to step down from the position of Chair and as a member of the Board of Trustees, with immediate effect," he said in a statement released by the WEF.
The German-born economist did not offer a reason for leaving the Geneva-based WEF, which organizes annual meeting of the international political and economic elite in the Swiss luxury ski resort of Davos.
Vice Chairman Peter Brabeck-Letmathe will serve as interim chairman, with the search for a new chair having begun after Schwab's resignation was accepted at an extraordinary meeting on April 20.
Davos summit as face of globalization
Schwab established the WEF in 1971 with the aim of creating a forum for policymakers and top corporate executives to tackle major global issues. The first conference was also held in Davos that year, with hundreds attending, including businesspeople, academics and politicians.
Over the decades, however, the WEF and the annual summit started drawing criticism from opponents on both left and right as being too elitist and detached from lives of ordinary people. Schwab himself was targeted by various conspiracy theorists in recent years. One viral controversy links him to the "You'll own nothing. And you'll be happy" quote which was published by the WEF in a 2016 video clip.
The video speculates on the ways the world could change by 2030. Schwab has never said or wrote the words shown on screen, which are actually based on an essay by Danish politician Ida Aukens about possible futures "for better and for worse." However, many have interpreted the video as proof of the WEF working to create a dystopian future without private ownership.
Russian president has previously spurned direct negotiations unless Ukraine holds elections; Ukrainian delegation headed to London. What we know on day 1,154
Vladimir Putin has said for the first time in years that he is open to bilateral talks with Ukraine – having previously demanded Volodymyr Zelenskyy be replaced before it could happen. Zelenskyy, whom Putin has falsely called an illegitimate president, meanwhile said Kyiv was prepared for any discussion to halt attacks on civilian targets. The Ukrainian president, in his nightly video address, said: “Ukraine maintains its proposal not to strike at the very least civilian targets. And we are expecting a clear response from Moscow. We are ready for any conversation about how to achieve this.”
Putin, speaking to Russian state TV, said: “We have always talked about this, that we have a positive attitude towards any peace initiatives. We hope that representatives of the Kyiv regime will feel the same way.” However, Putin has previously stipulated that elections must be held in Ukraine to elect a new president who would be his interlocutor. Elections are not permitted under the Ukrainian constitution while the country is, unavoidably, in a state of martial law.
Putin and Zelenskyy face pressure from the Trump administration in the US which has threatened to walk away from its peace efforts unless some progress is achieved. There have been no direct talks between the two sides since the early weeks after Russia’s February 2022 invasion.
Luke Harding writes from Kyiv that Moscow appears to be deliberately stalling the peace talks, betting that continued battlefield gains will bolster its position and enable it to demand greater concessions at the negotiating table. Russian attacks on Monday killed at least three people in Ukraine’s southern Kherson region, after an informal 30-hour Easter ceasefire declared by Putin that Kyiv said Moscow’s armed forces repeatedly violated. Zelenskyy said Russia had launched numerous attacks using artillery and drones, as well as infantry. The most active part of the Easter frontline was near the city of Pokrovsk, in the eastern Donetsk region, he said, while enemy forces also continued combat operations in Russia’s Kursk region where Ukrainian units hold a small amount of territory. Russia claimed Ukraine broke the ceasefire.
A Ukrainian delegation is due in London on Wednesday for talks with Britain, France and the US. Zelenskyy said on Monday: “We are ready to move forward as constructively as possible.” The talks are a follow-up to a Paris meeting last week where the US and European states discussed ways to end the war and the US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, reportedly presented Washington’s plan for ending the war. Zelenskyy said the London talks “have a primary task: to push for an unconditional ceasefire. This must be the starting point.”
Leaks suggest the Trump administration is now pushing for a “peace deal” that heavily favours Russia. It would include a pause to the conflict along the existing 1,000km frontline; recognition that Crimea belongs to Moscow; and a veto on Ukraine’s Nato membership. There are also unconfirmed reports that the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station – which Russia seized in 2022 – would be part of a “neutral” zone. Russia has maintained its maximalist demands, that Ukraine cede all the land Putin claims to have annexed and accept permanent neutrality. Ukraine says that would amount to surrender and leave it undefended if Moscow attacks again.
Because of Viktor Orbán’s intransigence and siding with Putin over the Ukraine war, Brussels is considering its “nuclear” option of removing Hungary’s voting rights under the European Union treaty, writes Jennifer Rankin. Under Orbán’s prime ministership, Hungary has repeatedly sought to block EU sanctions against Russia, though eventually backed down. It has vetoed the release of €6bn to reimburse EU countries providing military aid to Ukraine and refused to sign declarations in support of its invaded neighbour. The removal of voting rights from Hungary under the EU treaty’s article 7 would deliver a reckoning for Orbán just as he faces his toughest political challenger in years: Péter Magyar, whose Tisza party has extended its lead on Orbán’s Fidesz, with elections due next year.
A Russian journalist who faced up to 10 years in prison for criticising the army has escaped house arrest and is wanted by police, Russian state media has reported. Ekaterina Barabash, 63, was arrested in February. She had been an outspoken critic of Moscow’s war on Ukraine, writing on Facebook that Russia had “bombed the country” and “razed whole cities to the ground”. Putin has made it illegal to criticise the army and the “special military operation” against Ukraine. Former Russian state TV journalist Marina Ovsyannikova, who protested against the Ukraine war during a live broadcast, escaped Russia in 2022 after fleeing house arrest.
Vladimir Putin has said for the first time in years that he is open to bilateral talks with Ukraine – having previously demanded Volodymyr Zelenskyy be replaced before it could happen. Zelenskyy, whom Putin has falsely called an illegitimate president, meanwhile said Kyiv was prepared for any discussion to halt attacks on civilian targets. The Ukrainian president, in his nightly video address, said: “Ukraine maintains its proposal not to strike at the very least civilian targets. And we are expecting a clear response from Moscow. We are ready for any conversation about how to achieve this.”
Putin, speaking to Russian state TV, said: “We have always talked about this, that we have a positive attitude towards any peace initiatives. We hope that representatives of the Kyiv regime will feel the same way.” However, Putin has previously stipulated that elections must be held in Ukraine to elect a new president who would be his interlocutor. Elections are not permitted under the Ukrainian constitution while the country is, unavoidably, in a state of martial law.
Putin and Zelenskyy face pressure from the Trump administration in the US which has threatened to walk away from its peace efforts unless some progress is achieved. There have been no direct talks between the two sides since the early weeks after Russia’s February 2022 invasion.
Luke Harding writes from Kyiv that Moscow appears to be deliberately stalling the peace talks, betting that continued battlefield gains will bolster its position and enable it to demand greater concessions at the negotiating table. Russian attacks on Monday killed at least three people in Ukraine’s southern Kherson region, after an informal 30-hour Easter ceasefire declared by Putin that Kyiv said Moscow’s armed forces repeatedly violated. Zelenskyy said Russia had launched numerous attacks using artillery and drones, as well as infantry. The most active part of the Easter frontline was near the city of Pokrovsk, in the eastern Donetsk region, he said, while enemy forces also continued combat operations in Russia’s Kursk region where Ukrainian units hold a small amount of territory. Russia claimed Ukraine broke the ceasefire.
A Ukrainian delegation is due in London on Wednesday for talks with Britain, France and the US. Zelenskyy said on Monday: “We are ready to move forward as constructively as possible.” The talks are a follow-up to a Paris meeting last week where the US and European states discussed ways to end the war and the US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, reportedly presented Washington’s plan for ending the war. Zelenskyy said the London talks “have a primary task: to push for an unconditional ceasefire. This must be the starting point.”
Leaks suggest the Trump administration is now pushing for a “peace deal” that heavily favours Russia. It would include a pause to the conflict along the existing 1,000km frontline; recognition that Crimea belongs to Moscow; and a veto on Ukraine’s Nato membership. There are also unconfirmed reports that the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station – which Russia seized in 2022 – would be part of a “neutral” zone. Russia has maintained its maximalist demands, that Ukraine cede all the land Putin claims to have annexed and accept permanent neutrality. Ukraine says that would amount to surrender and leave it undefended if Moscow attacks again.
Because of Viktor Orbán’s intransigence and siding with Putin over the Ukraine war, Brussels is considering its “nuclear” option of removing Hungary’s voting rights under the European Union treaty, writes Jennifer Rankin. Under Orbán’s prime ministership, Hungary has repeatedly sought to block EU sanctions against Russia, though eventually backed down. It has vetoed the release of €6bn to reimburse EU countries providing military aid to Ukraine and refused to sign declarations in support of its invaded neighbour. The removal of voting rights from Hungary under the EU treaty’s article 7 would deliver a reckoning for Orbán just as he faces his toughest political challenger in years: Péter Magyar, whose Tisza party has extended its lead on Orbán’s Fidesz, with elections due next year.
A Russian journalist who faced up to 10 years in prison for criticising the army has escaped house arrest and is wanted by police, Russian state media has reported. Ekaterina Barabash, 63, was arrested in February. She had been an outspoken critic of Moscow’s war on Ukraine, writing on Facebook that Russia had “bombed the country” and “razed whole cities to the ground”. Putin has made it illegal to criticise the army and the “special military operation” against Ukraine. Former Russian state TV journalist Marina Ovsyannikova, who protested against the Ukraine war during a live broadcast, escaped Russia in 2022 after fleeing house arrest.
Ekaterina Barabash, 63, facing up to 10 years in jail due to outspoken criticism of Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine
A Russian journalist who faced up to 10 years in prison for criticising the army has escaped house arrest and is now wanted by police, Russian state media has reported.
Ekaterina Barabash, 63, had been arrested in February on suspicion of spreading false information about the Russian armed forces in several posts she made on social media.
“The accused has been declared wanted,” the Moscow branch of Russia’s federal penitentiary service said, the state Tass news agency reported on Monday. Authorities were alerted to her disappearance on 13 April by an electronic monitoring system.
Since Russia launched its military offensive in Ukraine in February 2022, authorities have launched thousands of cases against people accused of discrediting the army.
Barabash had written for several news outlets, including Republic and the Russian service of Radio France Internationale.
She had been an outspoken critic of Moscow’s military offensive on Ukraine, writing on Facebook in March 2022 that Russia had “bombed the country” and “razed whole cities to the ground”.
Russia, which denies targeting civilians, made it illegal to criticise the army and its military operations in Ukraine shortly after its offensive began.
Rights groups said authorities are using the law to wage an unprecedented crackdown on dissent reminiscent of the Soviet era.
Fleeing house arrest is risky in Russia, but not unheard of. Former Russian state TV journalist Marina Ovsyannikova, who protested against the Ukraine conflict during a live broadcast, escaped Russia in 2022 after fleeing house arrest.
A Russian journalist who faced up to 10 years in prison for criticising the army has escaped house arrest and is now wanted by police, Russian state media has reported.
Ekaterina Barabash, 63, had been arrested in February on suspicion of spreading false information about the Russian armed forces in several posts she made on social media.
“The accused has been declared wanted,” the Moscow branch of Russia’s federal penitentiary service said, the state Tass news agency reported on Monday. Authorities were alerted to her disappearance on 13 April by an electronic monitoring system.
Since Russia launched its military offensive in Ukraine in February 2022, authorities have launched thousands of cases against people accused of discrediting the army.
Barabash had written for several news outlets, including Republic and the Russian service of Radio France Internationale.
She had been an outspoken critic of Moscow’s military offensive on Ukraine, writing on Facebook in March 2022 that Russia had “bombed the country” and “razed whole cities to the ground”.
Russia, which denies targeting civilians, made it illegal to criticise the army and its military operations in Ukraine shortly after its offensive began.
Rights groups said authorities are using the law to wage an unprecedented crackdown on dissent reminiscent of the Soviet era.
Fleeing house arrest is risky in Russia, but not unheard of. Former Russian state TV journalist Marina Ovsyannikova, who protested against the Ukraine conflict during a live broadcast, escaped Russia in 2022 after fleeing house arrest.
"For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ," 1 Thessalonians 5:9
Maranatha!
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My Original Stories (available in English and Spanish)
List of Compiled Binary Executables I have published...
HiddenChest & Roole
Give me a free copy of your completed game if you include at least 3 of my scripts!
Just some scripts I've already published on the board...
KyoGemBoost XP VX & ACE, RandomEnkounters XP, KSkillShop XP, Kolloseum States XP, KEvents XP, KScenario XP & Gosu, KyoPrizeShop XP Mangostan, Kuests XP, KyoDiscounts XP VX, ACE & MV, KChest XP VX & ACE 2016, KTelePort XP, KSkillMax XP & VX & ACE, Gem Roulette XP VX & VX Ace, KRespawnPoint XP, VX & VX Ace, GiveAway XP VX & ACE, Klearance XP VX & ACE, KUnits XP VX, ACE & Gosu 2017, KLevel XP, KRumors XP & ACE, KMonsterPals XP VX & ACE, KStatsRefill XP VX & ACE, KLotto XP VX & ACE, KItemDesc XP & VX, KPocket XP & VX, OpenChest XP VX & ACE
Maranatha!
The Internet might be either your friend or enemy. It just depends on whether or not she has a bad hair day.
My Original Stories (available in English and Spanish)
List of Compiled Binary Executables I have published...
HiddenChest & Roole
Give me a free copy of your completed game if you include at least 3 of my scripts!
Just some scripts I've already published on the board...
KyoGemBoost XP VX & ACE, RandomEnkounters XP, KSkillShop XP, Kolloseum States XP, KEvents XP, KScenario XP & Gosu, KyoPrizeShop XP Mangostan, Kuests XP, KyoDiscounts XP VX, ACE & MV, KChest XP VX & ACE 2016, KTelePort XP, KSkillMax XP & VX & ACE, Gem Roulette XP VX & VX Ace, KRespawnPoint XP, VX & VX Ace, GiveAway XP VX & ACE, Klearance XP VX & ACE, KUnits XP VX, ACE & Gosu 2017, KLevel XP, KRumors XP & ACE, KMonsterPals XP VX & ACE, KStatsRefill XP VX & ACE, KLotto XP VX & ACE, KItemDesc XP & VX, KPocket XP & VX, OpenChest XP VX & ACE
