Category: Feature Stories

The Vatican claims that St. Peter, one of Jesus’ apostles and the first pope, is buried beneath St. Peter’s Basilica. But how solid is the evidence? According to Christian tradition, Peter was martyred in Rome around 64 AD during Emperor Nero’s persecution. Early Christians reportedly buried him in a simple grave on Vatican Hill, a site that later became a significant place of worship. In the 4th century, Emperor Constantine built the original basilica directly over what was believed to be Peter’s tomb. Fast forward to the 20th century: during…

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The world is bidding farewell to Pope Francis: hundreds of pilgrims and 200 state guests are expected to attend the grand papal funeral in St. Peter’s Square in Rome on Saturday. Billions of people worldwide can follow the historic event live on television. The Italian capital is in an emergency, with the highest security precautions in place. More than 1,000 police officers will be on duty to ensure the safety of the 170 delegations in Rome.Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen and Federal Chancellor Christian Stocker (ÖVP) will lead the…

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The term “pope” comes from the ancient Greek word “πάππας” (Latin “papa” = father).The term “pope” is an honorary title. The title comes from the Greek world, where it initially referred to abbots and bishops, and from the 5th century AD, to both the Bishop of Rome and the other patriarchs. Since the Middle Ages, the term “Pope” has been used as shorthand for the holder of the Petrine office, although the term “Bishop of Rome” is formally the correct term. As Bishop of Rome and thus successor to the…

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Typically, the body begins to decompose about 24 hours after death. In the case of Pope Francis, this process was halted using a special method. Thanatopraxy was used to ensure that the faithful could say goodbye to the head of the church one last time. Thousands of people will file before Pope Francis’s body in St. Peter’s Basilica until Friday. For Catholics, the opportunity to bid farewell to the dead pope is a ritual and a gesture of gratitude. So that the faithful can see the Pope one last time,…

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Many people drink tea as part of everyday life, but what ends up in the cup is a cause for concern. As part of a recent market check, Greenpeace examined various herbal teas and published alarming findings. The main problem: Many tea bags contain microplastics that are released during brewing. Tea bags release microplasticsMany people drink tea as part of everyday life, but what ends up in the cup is a cause for concern. As part of a recent market check, Greenpeace examined various herbal teas and published alarming findings.…

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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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