International
Pope Francis does not read the homily at Palm Sunday Mass
Pope Francis did not read today the homily he had prepared for the Palm Sunday Mass, the Eucharistic celebration that opens the rites of Holy Week and that had gathered more than 60,000 faithful who crowded St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican.
At the opening of the ceremony, the 87-year-old pontiff had shown a tired voice and at the end of the reading of the Gospel, when the homily was expected, a prolonged silence followed after which he passed directly to the Creed.
The decision of the pope, who preferred not to read the homily to leave a time of personal reflection, was totally unexpected, since it was not planned for him to do so in such a prominent ceremony as Palm Sunday and surprised everyone by not doing so.
More than three weeks ago, Pope Francis had the flu and since then, although he has continued with his agenda, he has not been able to read on many occasions since he gets tired of reading long speeches.
Last Wednesday, during the general hearing, Francisco did not read the prepared catechesis and instead a collaborator did it because, he said: “I still can’t,” in reference to the respiratory problems he carries.
On this occasion no collaborator read the text and the Vatican did not give any immediate explanation about the cause for which Francis skipped the homily, something very unusual in a ceremony as important as Palm Sunday.
After the Mass, Francis did carry out the weekly Sunday prayer of the Angelus and his subsequent calls and messages
The square was decorated with the branches of olive trees and palms that the faithful, religious and members of the Curia had carried in procession before the mass, remembering the triumphal entry into Jerusalem of Jesus of Nazareth.
Before the mass, the procession took place in the central obelisk of St. Peter’s Square, where the branches were blessed.
Then they moved to the interior of the basilica in one of the oldest rites of Catholicism, which dates from the third century and in which today 30 cardinals, 25 bishops and 350 priests participated.
Pope Francis today condemned the “vile terrorist attack” last Friday in Moscow, which caused at least 133 deaths and which he described as “an inhuman act that offends God” during the Angelus prayer after the Palm Sunday Mass.
“I assure you of my prayers for the victims of the vile terrorist attack perpetrated the other night in Moscow. May the Lord receive them in his peace and comfort their families,” the pontiff said to the more than 25,000 faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square.
Francis also showed his hope that he will “convert the hearts of those who protect, who organize and perform these inhuman acts that offend God, who ordered ‘You shall not kill’.”
International
U.S. strike in Caribbean kills three suspected drug traffickers
A U.S. strike on a suspected drug-smuggling vessel in the Caribbean killed three people on Saturday, according to Pentagon Chief Pete Hegseth, marking the latest in a series of attacks in international waters.
The United States has deployed ships to the Caribbean and sent fighter jets to Puerto Rico as part of a large military force that Washington says is aimed at curbing drug trafficking.
“This vessel, like all the others, was known to our intelligence for being involved in illicit narcotics smuggling,” Hegseth stated on X. “Three narcoterrorists were aboard the vessel during the attack, which took place in international waters,” he added.
Experts argue that the attacks, which began in early September, amount to extrajudicial executions, even if the targets are known traffickers.
Washington has yet to publicly provide evidence that the targeted individuals were actively smuggling drugs or posed a threat to the United States.
Hegseth said the U.S. would continue “hunting… and killing” suspected traffickers. He also shared video footage of the strike, showing the vessel being hit and engulfed in flames. As in previous videos, sections of the ship were blurred, making it impossible to verify the number of people on board.
The United Nations called on Friday for Washington to halt its attacks.
International
At least 23 killed in Sonora supermarket blast, including minors
At least 23 people were killed and 11 others injured in an explosion at a supermarket in Hermosillo, in the northern Mexican state of Sonora, local authorities reported on Saturday.
“So far, there are 23 confirmed deaths and 11 injured, including minors,” said Sonora Governor Alfonso Durazo in a video message. He added that the injured are receiving treatment in various hospitals across the city.
“I have ordered a thorough and transparent investigation to determine the causes of the incident and assign responsibility where appropriate,” Durazo said.
The explosion occurred at a Waldo’s store in downtown Hermosillo. Local authorities confirmed that the incident was not an attack nor related to any violent act against civilians.
Meanwhile, Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum expressed her condolences on X, offering sympathy to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives.
International
Floods in Central Vietnam leave 28 dead, thousands displaced
The death toll from heavy rains and flooding in central Vietnam has risen to 28, with six people reported missing and 43 injured, local newspaper VnExpress reported Friday night.
More than 22,100 homes remain flooded, primarily in the cities of Hue and Da Nang. Floods and landslides have destroyed or swept away 91 houses and damaged another 181, the report added.
Around 245,000 households are still without electricity, particularly in Da Nang, where over 225,000 homes are affected.
Additionally, 80 stretches of national highways are blocked or disrupted due to landslides. Authorities expect the flooding to continue for another day or two in the region.
U.S. strike in Caribbean kills three suspected drug traffickers
At least 23 killed in Sonora supermarket blast, including minors
Floods in Central Vietnam leave 28 dead, thousands displaced
Tec de Monterrey honors one of its students for his contribution to nanotechnology in medicine
Defense Minister commends salvadoran soldier for Central American Cross Country victory
Extension of the state of emergency approved in southern Chile
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