International
Pope Francis’ funeral procession will be a six-kilometer journey through the heart of Rome

The funeral procession that will take Pope Francis’ body from St. Peter’s Vatican to the Basilica of Santa María la Mayor, where he will be buried, will solemnly cross six kilometers of the heart of Rome on a journey full of symbolism.
The route will partially follow the route of the old Via Papalis, the procession that the pontiffs formerly made after being designated between St. Peter of the Vatican and the basilica of St. John of Lateran, cathedral of the diocese of Rome.
This ceremony, the emberment of the ancient parades of the Roman Empire, was the first official act of the pontiff as bishop of Rome.
As sources of the National Police confirmed to EFE, the courtshage of Francis, which poses one of the greatest organizational challenges for the Italian authorities, will pass in front of such iconic places as the Roman Colosseum.
After the end of the funeral, which will begin at 10:00 local time (08:00 GMT) on Saturday, the procession will pass through the Prince Amadeus of Savoy gallery, travel the Corso Vittorio Emmanuele and arrive at Piazza Venezia, and then turn towards the Imperial Forums.
From there, you will take the Via Labicana and the Via Merulana, leaving San Juan de Letrán in the background, until you reach the Plaza de Santa María la Mayor.
A vehicle will carry Francisco’s coffin “at a solemn pace”, followed by a small number of cars that will transport some cardinals, although general traffic will be closed.
Four giant screens will be placed in the area so that the faithful can follow the funeral and the funeral procession. After the burial, anyone who wishes can go and pay tribute to Francisco’s tomb in Santa María la Mayor.
International
Study finds COVID-19 vaccines prevented 2.5 million deaths worldwide

COVID-19 vaccines prevented an estimated 2,533,000 deaths worldwide between 2020 and 2024, according to an international study led by Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Italy and Stanford University in the United States, published in the journal JAMA Health Forum. Researchers calculated that one death was prevented for every 5,400 doses administered.
The analysis also found that the vaccines saved 14.8 million years of life, equivalent to one year of life gained for every 900 doses given.
The study, coordinated by Professor Stefania Boccia, revealed that 82% of the lives saved were people vaccinated before becoming infected with the virus, and 57% of deaths avoided occurred during the Omicron wave. In addition, 90% of the beneficiaries were adults over 60 years old.
“This is the most comprehensive analysis to date, based on global data and fewer assumptions about the evolution of the pandemic,” explained Boccia and researcher Angelo Maria Pezzullo.
International
Trump administration blasts judge’s ruling reinstating TPS for Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua

The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump criticized a federal judge’s ruling on Friday that reinstated Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua, stressing that the immigration program was never intended to serve as a “de facto asylum system.”
On Thursday, Judge Trina Thompson extended protections for about 7,000 Nepalese immigrants, whose TPS was set to expire on August 5. The ruling also impacts roughly 51,000 Hondurans and nearly 3,000 Nicaraguans, whose TPS protections were scheduled to end on September 8.
Immigrants covered by TPS had sued the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), alleging that the program’s termination was driven by “racial animus” and stripped them of protection from deportation.
DHS Deputy Undersecretary Tricia McLaughlin issued a statement saying the decision to end TPS was part of a mandate to “restore the integrity” of the immigration system and return the program to its original purpose.
“TPS was never conceived as a de facto asylum system; however, that is how previous administrations have used it for decades,” McLaughlin emphasized.
She also criticized Judge Thompson, calling the ruling “another example” of judges “stirring up claims of racism to distract from the facts.”
McLaughlin added that DHS would appeal the decision and take the legal battle to higher courts.
The Trump administration has also terminated TPS protections for approximately 160,000 Ukrainians, 350,000 Venezuelans, and at least half a million Haitians, among other immigrant groups.
International
Trump to build $200M ballroom at the White House by 2028

The U.S. government under President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that it will begin construction in September on a new 8,000-square-meter ballroom at the White House.
The announcement was made by Karoline Leavitt, the administration’s press secretary, during a briefing in which she explained that the expansion responds to the need for a larger venue to host “major events.”
“Other presidents have long wished for a space capable of accommodating large gatherings within the White House complex… President Trump has committed to solving this issue,” Leavitt told reporters.
The project is estimated to cost $200 million, fully funded through donations from Trump himself and other “patriots,” according to a government statement. Construction is scheduled to begin in September and is expected to be completed before Trump’s term ends in 2028.
The Clark Construction Group, a Virginia-based company known for projects such as the Capital One Arena and L’Enfant Plaza in Washington, D.C., has been selected to lead the project.
The new ballroom will be built on the East Wing of the White House, expanding the iconic residence with a space designed for state dinners, official ceremonies, and large-scale events.
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