Category: Feature Stories

On Wednesday, the AFP news agency asked four artificial intelligence (AI) chat programs about their predictions. But AI is also struggling to come up with clear answers to the question of the papal succession, which is not only keeping Vatican insiders and betting shop operators around the world on tenterhooks. Since Pope Francis’s death on Easter Monday, the Catholic Church has been in mourning, and speculation about his successor has begun. However, the outcome of the conclave, in which cardinals decide on the next pope in a secret procedure, remains…

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Following the death of Pope Francis, the Vatican has declared a nine-day period of mourning starting on Saturday. The traditional period of mourning for the pontiff, known as the “Novendiale”, will last until May 4, the Vatican announced Wednesday evening. During this time, daily ceremonies will be held in St. Peter’s Basilica in honor of the deceased head of the Church. The body of Pope Francis was laid out in St. Peter’s Basilica, and since Wednesday, the faithful have been able to bid farewell at the open coffin.According to the…

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With Pope Francis’s passing, the Catholic Church faces one of its most sacred and secretive processes: the conclave to elect a new pope. While the event carries centuries of tradition, many outside the Vatican don’t know how it unfolds. The word conclave comes from the Latin cum clave, meaning “with a key.” That’s because the cardinals—senior church officials from around the world—are locked inside the Sistine Chapel during voting. No phones, no press, no contact with the outside world. The goal is to protect the integrity of the decision and…

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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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