Pope Francis’s funeral marked a significant departure from centuries-old traditions in four major ways, reflecting his legacy as "the people's Pope." Some 200,000 mourners, including dignitaries from around the world, gathered at St. Peter’s Square to honor His Holiness, who passed away on Monday at the age of 88 following a stroke. Breaking with tradition, Francis personally simplified the funeral rites prior to his death, forgoing much of the traditional pomp in favor of a modest, 90-minute service. Unlike previous pontiffs, Francis chose to be buried in a single wooden coffin lined with zinc rather than the traditional three-layer casket and selected Rome’s Basilica of St. Mary Major — outside the Vatican — as his final resting place. His tomb is marked simply with the Latin inscription "Franciscus" and a humble iron-plated cross. After the funeral, Rome’s streets filled with tearful farewells as the motorcade made its way to the basilica, while the Church now turns its focus to the process of choosing Francis’s successor, with the conclave expected to begin in early May. An explosion in the southern Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas has left dozens dead and hundreds injured, shaking the Shahid Rajaee port area on Saturday. According to state media, at least 47 people have been injured so far. The blast occurred when several containers stored at the port's wharf area detonated, prompting emergency crews to evacuate and transfer the injured to nearby medical facilities. The incident comes as Iran enters a third round of nuclear negotiations with the United States in Oman. Video Raises Questions About Ed Martin’s Apology. Interim D.C. U.S. Attorney Ed Martin apologized this week for previously praising a pardoned Capitol riot defendant who had expressed Nazi sympathies, claiming he was unaware of the man’s extremist views. However, videos and podcasts reveal that Martin has been defending the individual since at least 2023, describing him as a friend who was unfairly "slurred and smeared" by accusations of antisemitism. Boxing Tonight: Eubank Jr vs Benn Fight Schedule and Ring Walk Times — Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn are set to clash in a highly anticipated middleweight bout, continuing the storied rivalry between their legendary fathers. World Boxing News has released the full running order, ring walk times, TV broadcast details, and undercard lineup for tonight's electrifying event. Fans eagerly await a showdown that promises to add a new chapter to one of boxing's most iconic family rivalries. Hundreds of new homes have been proposed near a picturesque Kent village, with plans indicating that almost half of the properties will be marketed as 'affordable'. The development aims to boost local housing supply while offering a significant portion of homes designed to be accessible to a wider range of buyers. Yale classmates issue warning to Scott Bessent as concerns mount over his role in the Trump administration. In a letter reported by CNBC, a group of Bessent’s former Yale University classmates urged the Treasury Secretary to reconsider his involvement in what they describe as efforts to transform the United States into an “authoritarian state.” Bessent responded by dismissing the warning, calling it “odd and sad” that people he mostly hasn’t met feel entitled to weigh in on his life choices. Criticizing the group for what he described as keyboard activism, Bessent encouraged them to get involved directly in the political process and prepare for the 2028 electoral cycle.
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