Pope Francis has died (updated 21st April 2025)

flazio · 21-04-2025 10:50AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123376464#Comment_123376464

A news banner on RTE 1 saying there will be a special after Kelly Clarkson. As you say it happened early this morning on a bank holiday. The black tie news readers in the UK are the folks who were going to be there anyway, they have to have funeral attire ready in case of any major sudden death of Charlie or Stammer. RTÉ doesn't have a 24hr live TV news service, they need time to script up and line up speakers.

Oscar_Madison · 21-04-2025 10:54AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123376473#Comment_123376473

It’s embarrassing - apparently they’re gearing up on RTÉ 1 soon but it’s a pathetic reflection of our national station that it can’t respond quickly - wall to wall coverage on Sky and BBC- they just have commentators talking away whilst recent and stock footage is displaying - it doesn’t take much to put such a programme together

pureza · 21-04-2025 10:54AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123376487#Comment_123376487

They could have relayed euro news until the taxi’s from Kerry or Galway or Donegal arrived with the anchors wherever they were

Fr Tod Umptious · 21-04-2025 10:54AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123376431#Comment_123376431

It was just briefly mentioned by RTE.

It was the top story on their news app and website when it happened.

zell12 · 21-04-2025 10:56AM

ABC Australia in black too

Oscar_Madison · 21-04-2025 10:58AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123376431#Comment_123376431

If you asked me before last week were there any pedophiles left practicing as priests in Ireland I would have said unlikely- given this guy is still in his 50s or early 60s it’s extraordinary news.

Given child protection policies are reasonably robust now, I shudder to think what’s going on in not so developed and poor countries

Rawr · 21-04-2025 11:02AM

The way the news was going, I had a gut feeling that he was on the way out. A little surprised that it happened so soon after a public appearance…but sure…didn’t The Queen sort of go that way too?

Now in quick succession, the funeral but then also all the shenanigans around a Papal Election. Little doubt we’ll get a slate of favourites that the bookies will be all over.

Just like in previous papal elections we’ll likely get a proposed «First Pope from Africa», because I remember that coming up the last couple of times. It would be a fresh take on the role, a potentially a good idea for them with the right canditate. However most of the cardinals who vote have a knack of being ancient Italians. So they’ll likely vote for what they’re used to.

They should at least try to get a younger candidate. The Vatican has a bit of a history of Popes only surviving a month before needing to elect a new one.

Oscar_Madison · 21-04-2025 11:03AM

I know it’s the Daily Mail but there’s likely only a certain few in the running anyway regardless of what paper you read it from - doesn’t exactly inspire confidence

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14439109/Pope-black-Asian-cardinal-contenders-replace-Francis.html

Cluedo Monopoly · 21-04-2025 11:03AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123376497#Comment_123376497

I am not one bit embarrassed. I won't watch the "coverage" on any station. He died, I get it. I doubt many people will waste their bank holiday watching RTE "coverage". But if it gives you a break from Trump and the sky falling down, then I am happy for you.

pureza · 21-04-2025 11:06AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123376525#Comment_123376525

About a third of the country will dip in and out of the coverage to be fair which is a significant number

NIMAN · 21-04-2025 11:16AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123376511#Comment_123376511

How naive of you to think there were no more paedophiles employed by the CC.

itsacoolday · 21-04-2025 11:20AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123376511#Comment_123376511

The Irish Independent reported:

"The Diocese of Derry has confirmed it is aware of an alleged incident outside a hotel in Derry involving a priest of the diocese.

It comes after videos circulated online of a man in clerical garb being challenged by self-styled "paedophile hunters”.

The PSNI say a 58-year-old man was arrested at a hotel in Derry on suspicion of alleged attempted sexual communication with a child.

A spokesperson for the PSNI said, “A 58-year-old man was arrested on Thursday, April 17, on suspicion of alleged attempted sexual communication with a child."

So despite all the "child protection policies" and you would think most people suspicion of single male Priests, such cases still seemingly do occur. As a parent I would not like to see any kids go to confession with such a man anyway.

Galwayguy35 · 21-04-2025 11:28AM

RIP

Seemed like a decent man.

magicbastarder · 21-04-2025 11:36AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123376524#Comment_123376524

IIRC technically any baptised male Catholic can be elected?

Is Michael D baptised? He'll be on the job market soon.

yagan · 21-04-2025 11:43AM

Coincidently according to tradition Romulus and Remus founded Rome on this date in 753 BCE.

It would be interesting who devout Irish catholics would react to an african pope. I know my auld mother in law used to say that there was a Polish priest then she "hadn't really got mass". She was a bit of a bitter christian.

Edit to add as a non catholic I thought separate to the organisation he seemed a decent individual.

Rawr · 21-04-2025 11:48AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123376608#Comment_123376608

Pretty much, which means technically I’m eligible to be voted as Pope. They really shouldn’t though. I’m actually an atheist and the second they vote me in I’d empty balance of the Vatican Bank into all of the worlds charities…and then run like hell…

Possibly another argument for making it easier to end your membership of the Catholic Church? Just a thought…

Raichų · 21-04-2025 11:51AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123376525#Comment_123376525

yeah I’d have to say the same; who cares that RTE aren’t donned in black quoting Latin verses for the pope.

okay if it was Italian state media I’d understand the confusion and concern but I wouldn’t expect a sinner on this island to get up at the crack on a bank holiday Monday to wear black and tell us the popes dead.

TheIrishGrover · 21-04-2025 11:55AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123376524#Comment_123376524

Would never click on a Daily Mail link but looking at the URL, I would agree that the next pope would probably be from Africa. MAYBE Asia but most likely Africa. Don't mean to be crass but it probably is where the church has its biggest support. Their history of abuse, lack of action (and, indeed, enablement) along with western society (outside of the US) moving towards a more secular society probably rules out Europe. Abuses rife in South America also. All politics aside, Trump will no doubt attempt to weigh in on having an American pope. That should sully any potential nominee no matter how valid they may be.

So, yeah, the next pope will most likely be from Africa.

Yellow_Fern · 21-04-2025 12:02PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123376665#Comment_123376665

Unreal snobbery. The Daily Mail has done amazing investigatative journalism over the years. For example, the Beacon vaccine scandal, €1million barter deal at RTÉ. Aisling Moloney has done great work there.

Anyway, the more I read about Francis, the more I realise what a remarkable man he was. I have lived through three popes now and I feel, golly that we are so luckly to have such amazing popes in modern times.

scottser · 21-04-2025 12:05PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123376665#Comment_123376665

My granny always used to say that the world would end if there was a black pope. Malachy's prediction of the popes says (apparently) that there will be only one more pope after Benedict; Peter the Roman. It would be gas if he was black..