International

Social networks, protagonists in the farewell to Pope Francis for ‘selfies’ in front of his coffin

Social networks continue to be protagonists in the massive farewell to Pope Francis, who died last Monday at the age of 88, in the midst of a growing controversy over the ‘selfies’ that some visitors have published in front of his coffin in St. Peter’s Basilica.

More than a hundred thousand people have paraded these days through the Vatican temple to say goodbye to the Argentine pontiff, including many tourists and curious people who have “snealed” for photographs for the last time the most “viral” pope in history.

In recent hours, images have been released of people who, after hours of waiting, take advantage of the few seconds that the authorities let stop in front of the coffin to take a selfie next to Francisco’s body inside the coffin and then publish them on social networks.

This has unleashed criticism from many faithful, who denounce the lack of respect and solemnity in a context of mourning.

“The moment lived with so many people loses a lot of intimacy; the queues, the speed, blur that experience,” Pedro lamented to EFE, who traveled a whole night by car from the Spanish town of Murcia to say goodbye to the pope.

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“Many come more to take pictures than to pray for the pope,” he added bitterly.

Francis’ closeness to young people and his active digital presence, especially through the official account @Pontifex in X (formerly Twitter), marked the style of a pope who knew how to adapt to contemporary languages and build bridges with the new generations.

Although the account was inaugurated by Benedict XVI in December 2012, it was Francisco who turned that channel into a common communication tool with millions of faithful.

Four days after his death and on the eve of the massive funeral expected for Saturday, social networks continue to mourn his death with an avalanche of tributes, messages of affection and content that consolidates the Argentine pontiff as the most “viral” and photographed in history.

Now, those same young people pay tribute to him from platforms such as TikTok and Instagram with emotional posts that compile his most remembered speeches and the iconic moments of his pontificate.

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And even videos generated with Artificial Intelligence (AI) in which he is seen coming to heaven, received by his predecessors John Paul II and Benedict XVI, or even by Jesus, with whom he appears taking a picture “between the clouds.”

In the first 24 hours after the announcement of his death, more than 9.7 million content related to the pope and about 200 million interactions on social networks around the world were generated, according to an analysis by the SocialCom platform for Adnkronos.

A figure that surpassed other events of great global impact, such as the assassination attempt of US President Donald Trump in 2024.

Much loved by the new generations, Francisco managed to connect with her thanks to his direct tone, his simple language and his positive look towards the use of social networks, which he did not condemn or ignore during his pontificate.

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International

Kristi Noem credits Trump for mass migrant deportations by mexican president

U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem claimed that Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has deported “more than half a million” migrants due to pressure from former President Donald Trump.

During a cabinet meeting highlighting the “achievements” of Trump’s administration in its first 100 days, Noem asserted that under the Republican leader’s influence, “Mexico has finally come to the table” to negotiate on migration and fentanyl trafficking.

“The president of Mexico told me she has returned just over half a million people before they reached our border,” Noem stated, criticizing media reports that suggest the Biden administration deported more migrants than Trump’s.

“I wish those deportations were counted,” Noem added, “because those people never made it to our border—she sent them back because you made her.” She went on to thank Trump: “They never made it here because they got the message—because you were so aggressive.”

Noem has made controversial claims about Sheinbaum in the past, prompting the Mexican leader to refute them.

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On April 1, Sheinbaum responded to one such statement by declaring, “The president answers to only one authority, and that is the people of Mexico,” after Noem said on Fox News that she gave Sheinbaum “a list of things Trump would like to see” and that Mexico’s actions would determine whether Trump granted tariff relief.

International

Vatican releases special “Sede Vacante” stamps ahead of papal transition

he Vatican’s post offices and select collector shops began selling special edition stamps this week to mark the period between the death of Pope Francis and the election of his successor.

Known as “Sede Vacante” stamps, they feature an image used on official Vatican documents during the interregnum between popes — two crossed keys without the papal tiara. These stamps went on sale Monday and will remain valid for postal use only until the new pontiff appears at the window overlooking St. Peter’s Square.

Until then, they can be used to send letters, postcards, and parcels. “Once the new pope is elected, the stamps lose their postal validity, but their collectible value rises,” said Francesco Santarossa, who runs a collectors’ shop across from St. Peter’s Square.

The Vatican has issued the stamps in four denominations: €1.25, €1.30, €2.45, and €3.20. Each is inscribed with “Città del Vaticano” and “Sede Vacante MMXXV” — Latin for “Vacant See 2025.”

International

Conclave to choose pope Francis’ successor could begin in early may

The conclave, which in the coming weeks must choose the successor to Pope Francis, will strictly follow a precise protocol refined over centuries.

The 135 cardinal electors, all under the age of 80, will cast their votes four times a day — except on the first day — until one candidate secures a two-thirds majority. The result will be announced to the world through the burning of the ballots with a chemical that produces the eagerly awaited white smoke, accompanied by the traditional cry of “Habemus Papam.”

The start date for the conclave could be announced today, as the cardinals are set to hold their fifth meeting since the pope’s passing. Luxembourg Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich suggested it could begin on May 5 or 6, following the traditional nine days of mourning. According to German Cardinal Reinhard Marx, the conclave could last only “a few days.”

Although the late Argentine pontiff appointed the majority of the cardinal electors, this does not necessarily ensure the selection of a like-minded successor. Francis’ leadership style differed significantly from that of his predecessor, Benedict XVI, a German theologian who was less fond of large public gatherings. It also marked a contrast with the popular Polish pope, John Paul II.

The Argentine Jesuit’s reformist papacy drew strong criticism from more conservative sectors of the Church, who are hoping for a doctrinally focused shift. His tenure was marked by efforts to combat clerical sexual abuse, elevate the role of women and laypeople, and advocate for the poor and migrants, among other causes.