Pope Francis died on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88, following complications from a stroke and heart failure. His passing marks the end of a transformative era for the Catholic Church. Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, he became the first Jesuit and Latin American pope in 2013. His papacy was committed to humility, social justice, and inclusivity. He chose the name Francis to reflect his dedication to the poor and marginalized, drawing inspiration from St. Francis of Assisi. Throughout his 12-year tenure, Pope…
Read MoreLeading Candidates to Succeed Pope Francis
The selection of the next pope is always unpredictable. Still, several cardinals are widely seen as frontrunners based on their prominence, experience, and alignment with different factions within the Catholic Church. The next pope will be chosen by a conclave of cardinals under 80, many of whom were appointed by Pope Francis, potentially favoring candidates who share his progressive vision. Most Frequently Mentioned Contenders Name Country Age Profile & Strengths Notable Weaknesses/Controversies Luis Antonio Tagle Philippines 67 Known as the “Asian Francis,” a progressive, champion of social justice, head of…
Read MoreThe time of vacancy begins in the Vatican
The pontificate of the first South American pontiff has ended with Francis’s death. Between two pontificates, there is always a period of at least several weeks of “sede vacante,” during which the Holy See is vacant. During this time, the cardinals take over the reigns in the Vatican and the universal church. The Purple Senate experiences its finest hour during this period. It meets daily in general congregations and prepares the funeral of the old pope and the conclave, as well as the election of the new head of the…
Read MoreStep-by-Step Guide: How Overseas Filipinos Can Enroll and Become Eligible for Online Voting in the May 12, 2025 Philippine Elections
Eligibility Requirements Filipino citizen, at least 18 years old by May 12, 2025 Registered overseas voter with an active record (check if you are on the Certified List of Overseas Voters, CLOV) Not disqualified by law (e.g., not convicted of certain crimes, not declared insane/incompetent by a court) 1. Check Your Registration Status Visit the official COMELEC links to check if your name is included in the Certified List of Overseas Voters (CLOV) or the National Registry of Overseas Voters (NROV): CLOV/NROV Check If your name is not listed, you…
Read MorePhilippines’ oldest distillery takes the spotlight at GOTA Coffee Experts, Vienna this April
Established in 1852, Destileria Limtuaco is the oldest distillery in the Philippines. With over 170 years of tradition and craftsmanship, the distillery is known for producing some of the country’s most iconic and award-winning spirits and liqueurs. Destileria Limtuaco is featured at GOTA Coffee Experts in Vienna as part of the PH Coffee Month: Spirit of Philippine Coffee celebration this April. In this special collaboration, GOTA is serving exclusive coffee cocktails made with Philippine-grown and roasted specialty coffee, paired with two of Limtuaco’s standout products: Very Old Captain Dark Rum,…
Read MoreThe Pope gave the blessing “Urbi et Orbi”
In front of tens of thousands of people, Pope Francis gave the blessing “Urbi et Orbi” (“to the city and the world”) on Easter Sunday in St. Peter’s Square in Rome. The 88-year-old Francis appeared in a wheelchair on the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica without nasal cannulas and blessed the pilgrims. “Happy Easter!” the Pope wished the faithful weakly. He waved to the pilgrims. The papal master of ceremonies, Diego Ravelli, then read the Pope’s Easter message, in which the Holy Father once again pleaded for peace in Ukraine…
Read MoreWarning for credit card holders: fake call can cost you a fortune
There is currently an increasing number of fraudulent fake calls in the name of the credit card company Card Complete. Criminals are using spoofing to pretend that the calls are legitimate. Watchlist-Internet.at is currently issuing another warning about a brazen scam. Fraudsters pretend to be employees of the card company on the phone. These phishing attacks aim to steal sensitive data. The criminals use “spoofing” to simulate a trustworthy domestic number. This makes it look like the call comes directly from Card Complete. They try to trick you into revealing…
Read MoreHappy Easter from AustrianPress.com
To all our valued readers and supporters, As Easter arrives, we want to thank each of you for being part of the AustrianPress.com community. Your trust, engagement, and continued support drive us to do what we do daily. Easter is a time of reflection, renewal, and hope — values that feel especially meaningful in today’s world. Whether you’re celebrating with family, enjoying a quiet weekend, or simply resting, we hope this season brings you peace and clarity. We remain committed to bringing you honest, independent reporting and stories that matter.…
Read MoreWhat happened at Easter?
What does Easter mean?At Easter, the church celebrates Jesus Christ’s resurrection from the dead. It is the main festival of the Christian faith. According to the apostle Paul, the Christian faith would be invalid without Easter: “But if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is empty, and your faith is empty too” (1 Cor 15:14). The word “Easter” probably comes from the Greek word “eos,” the Latin word “aurora,” or “Austro” (Old Germanic), which all mean “dawn.” The resurrection took place in the early morning of Easter Day. What…
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