Category: Feature Stories

The Pope, who died on Easter Monday, only mentioned one wish in his will. This concerns his final resting place, which should be somewhere other than that of his predecessor. The Vatican published the last will and testament of the head of the church—he also wishes for a simple grave. The last wish of the pontiff, who died at the age of 88, concerns his burial. The will clearly states that Francis wanted to be buried without much opulence and pomp.The Pope stated this in his will: “Aware that the…

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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…

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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…

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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,…

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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…

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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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Austria celebrates Easter with a rich tapestry of traditions that blend Christian rituals, local customs, and festive family activities. Here are the most common Austrian Easter traditions: Key Austrian Easter Traditions Palm Sunday (Palmbuschen and Palmesel) On Palm Sunday, Austrians craft and decorate Palmbuschen—bundles of evergreen twigs (such as catkins, boxwood, or holly) often adorned with colorful ribbons and sometimes a painted egg in the center. These are blessed in church and then placed at home, believed to protect the household In some regions, particularly near Salzburg, the Palmesel procession reenacts Jesus’ entry…

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Black Saturday, also known as Holy Saturday, is the final day of Holy Week, observed by Christians worldwide as a day of profound significance. It falls between Good Friday, which commemorates the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ, and Easter Sunday, which celebrates His resurrection. Key Significances Commemoration of Jesus Lying in the TombBlack Saturday marks the day when Jesus Christ’s body lay in the tomb after His crucifixion. This period is remembered as a time of mourning and silence, reflecting on the reality of His death and the grief…

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Do you usually store your bread in plastic bags? Then you should rethink this habit! You probably know the situation: You have bought a deliciously fresh loaf of bread from the bakery and assume that it will keep for at least a week. But on the second day, you realize that the bread has become so dry that it is barely edible. What has gone wrong? There are several factors to consider when storing bread. Packaging plays an important role According to baker Joost Arijs, both the packaging and the…

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