Norway’s Queen Sonja leaves hospital after breathing problems

MASSAD BOULOS on #DRC congo

Global tributes pour in to honour #Pope Francis after his #death.

LYON, France — #Church bells tolled in mourning. Well-wishers flocked into pews. Tributes to Pope Francis poured in from around the world on Monday after the Vatican announced the pontiff’s death at age 88.

The 266th pope was praised for his groundbreaking steps to honor the poor and the vulnerable; seek to end conflicts like those in the Middle East, Ukraine and Africa; protect the environment; and guide the Catholic Church toward greater tolerance of gays and lesbians, among other things. Some critics say he didn’t always go far enough. Others said he went too far.

Many recalled his legacy as the first pope from Latin America, and the first Jesuit to reach the pinnacle of church hierarchy, one who stressed humility over hubris for a Church beset with scandal and indifference.

Here’s a look at some of the global reactions a day after his last public appearance on Easter Sunday to bless thousands of people in St. Peter’s Square.

-- U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who met with the pope on Easter Sunday before traveling to India, wrote on social media that his “heart goes out” to the millions of Christians who loved him, and said: “I was happy to see him yesterday, though he was obviously very ill.”

-- King Charles III praised the pope for his work on safeguarding the planet, and alluded to their multiple personal meetings -- including a private visit on April 10 at the Vatican. “We were greatly moved to have been able to visit him earlier in the month,” the King wrote in a statement signed “Charles R.” It was the pope’s first known meeting with a foreign dignitary after he was hospitalized for five weeks with double-pneumonia.

-- Church bells tolled in honor of Francis, from the recently reopened Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris to a lone bell at the St. Bartholomew Parish in Bulacan, in the Philippines, that was rung 88 times to signify “the 88 fruitful years of our dear Pope Francis,” the parish wrote on social media.

-- Martin Pendergast, secretary of the LGBT Catholics Westminster in London, recalled how Francis looked past sexual orientation and said he wouldn’t judge people who tried to carry out the will of God. “He was the first pope to actually use the word `gay,’ so even the way he speaks has been a radical transformation -- and some would say a bit of a revolution as well -- compared with some of his predecessors,” Pendergast said.

-- The Women’s Ordination Conference lamented Francis’ unwillingness to push for the ordination of women. “His repeated `closed door’ policy on women’s ordination was painfully incongruous with his otherwise pastoral nature, and for many, a betrayal of the synodal, listening church he championed,” the conference said. “This made him a complicated, frustrating and sometimes heart-breaking figure for many women.”

-- President Emmanuel Macron of France, a largely Roman Catholic country, focused on the pope’s impact on the church, writing on social media that “from Buenos Aires to Rome, Pope Francis wanted the Church to bring joy and hope to the poorest. For it to unite humans among themselves, and with nature. May this hope forever outlast him.”

-- Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, one of the few official visitors to see Francis during his recent hospitalization, alluded to the pope’s personal comfort and advice, saying it “never failed me, not even in times of trial and suffering.” She added: “We are saying goodbye to a great man and a great shepherd.”

-- Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te expressed condolences on social media and said people there would “continue to draw inspiration from his lifelong commitment to peace, global solidarity, and caring for those in need.” The Holy See is among Taiwan’s only 12 remaining diplomatic allies while China, which claims self-ruled Taiwan as its own territory, has been poaching others.

-- South African President Cyril Ramaphosa noted the pope’s “extraordinary life story” and said “Pope Francis advanced a world view of inclusion, equality and care for marginalized individuals and groups, as well as responsible and sustainable custody of the natural environment.” Africa has seen some of the Catholic Church’s biggest growth in recent years.

-- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen recalled the pontiff as an inspiration for the entire world, not just Christians. “He inspired millions, far beyond the Catholic Church, with his humility and love so pure for the less fortunate,” she said on social media. “My thoughts are with all who feel this profound loss.”

-- Israeli President Issac Herzog, whose role is mostly ceremonial, called Francis a man of “deep faith and boundless compassion.” Francis repeatedly criticized Israel’s wartime conduct in Gaza and said allegations of genocide, which Israel has adamantly denied, should be investigated. “I truly hope that his prayers for peace in the Middle East and for the safe return of the hostages will soon be answered,” Herzog said on social media.

-- The Palestine Red Crescent offered condolences to Christians, calling the pope “one of the most prominent supporters of justice and human dignity, including his noble stances regarding the suffering of the Palestinian people and their right to freedom and justice.”

-- President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi of Egypt, an overwhelmingly Muslim country, said Francis leaves behind “a great human legacy that will remain etched in the conscience of humanity.”

-- President Alexander Van der Bellen of Austria recalled how the pope traveled to the Italian island of Lampedusa, a key landing point for migrants seeking to reach Europe, to meet with refugees and commemorate those who died while trying to cross the Mediterranean. The Austrian leader said on social media that the pope’s impact resonated in ways large and small: “He ensured that homeless people near St. Peter’s Square could shower. He criticized dehumanizing words and gestures. That was Pope Francis.”

-- President Vladimir Putin of Russia hailed the pope as a “consistent defender of the high values of humanism and justice” and alluded to the pontiff’s efforts to foster interfaith dialogue between the Russian Orthodox and the Roman Catholic Churches. Last year, the pope suggested Ukraine should have the courage to negotiate an end to the war with Russia and not be ashamed to sit at the same table to carry out talks. Critics said that suggested he was siding with Russia. Francis tried to maintain the Vatican’s traditional diplomatic neutrality during the war, but that often was accompanied by apparent sympathy with Russia’s rationale for invading Ukraine -- like when he said NATO was “barking at Russia’s door” with its eastward expansion.

U.S. airstrikes killed 12 people in #Yemen’s capital, the #Houthi rebels say

Ukraine used US-made #HIMARS systems to violate Easter truce — Russian diplomat
According to Maria Zakharova, this was quite expected from the Ukrainian side.

The Ukrainian side violated the Easter truce using US-made HIMARS MLRS systems to deliver strikes, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said, commenting on the US Department of States’ statement where it expressed the hope for the extension of the Easter truce between Russia and Ukraine.

"It (the ceasefire - TASS) was not observed by the Kiev regime during Easter. Notably, the used American weapons, HIMARS systems, to violate it," she wrote on her Telegram channel.

According to Zakharova, this was quite expected from the Ukrainian side. "Thus, during the moratorium on strikes on energy facilities, [Vladimir] Zelensky, who had agreed on it, targeted civilian energy infrastructure," she emphasized.

At a meeting with Valery Gerasimov, the Chief of the General Staff, on April 19, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced an Easter truce until 12:00 a.m. Moscow time (9:00 p.m. GMT) on April 21. He also urged Kiev to follow suit. Gerasimov issued a corresponding order to Russian troops engaged in the special military operation. The truce came into effect from 6:00 p.m. Moscow time (3:00 p.m. GMT) on April 19.

#Russia has announced a cessation of all hostilities until 00:00 Moscow time on April 21 and has urged Kiev to reciprocate, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated following a report in the Kremlin by Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov.

Gerasimov informed the supreme commander-in-chief that the majority of the Kursk Region has been liberated from Ukrainian forces, and an enemy group has been encircled in a village in the Belgorod region.

TASS has reviewed the key points of the meeting.
Easter Truce

Guided by humanitarian considerations, Russia will halt all hostilities from 18:00 Moscow time on April 19 until 00:00 Moscow time on April 21.

"I order a ceasefire during this period. We expect the Ukrainian side to follow our example," Putin declared.

Russian troops "must remain vigilant to potential violations and provocations by the enemy, including any aggressive actions."

"We are aware that the Kiev regime has violated the agreement to refrain from strikes on energy infrastructure over 100 times."
Situation in the Special Operation Zone

"The situation along the contact line is stable and developing favorably for us. Russian forces are advancing systematically."

"In the border areas - specifically in the Kursk and Belgorod regions - after completing combat operations to secure these territories, reports will be provided separately."

Russia remains open to negotiations and welcomes the interest of the U.S., China, and other nations in pursuing a "just and peaceful resolution" to the Ukrainian crisis.
Gerasimov’s Report

Gerasimov reported that the Russian Armed Forces have liberated the majority of the districts in the Kursk Region previously invaded by Ukrainian forces.

"The main part of the region’s territory, covering approximately 1,260 square kilometers - 99.5% - has now been liberated."

"Operations to secure the Gornal area are nearing completion, with assault groups from the 810th Marines Brigade conducting combat missions against enemy units in Gornal and nearby groves."

Ukrainian units attempted to breach into Russian territory near Demidovka and Popovka in the Belgorod Region, but these efforts to insert significant enemy forces into Russian territory were thwarted.

"At present, there are no enemy forces in the Demidovka area; the territory has been cleared. Small infiltrated groups - up to 12 men - remain in the forest south of Popovka. These groups are under blockade, with ongoing efforts for their destruction and extraction, and the areas have been isolated.".

US offers easing of anti-Russia sanctions as part of Ukrainian settlement — Bloomberg
The proposals presented by the US to its allies in Paris also imply that all territories liberated by Russia remain under Moscow’s control, while "Kyiv’s aspirations of joining NATO would be off the table".


The United States’ peace proposals on Ukraine suggest easing of anti-Russia sanctions, Bloomberg reported citing sources.

The contours of the US plan were shared during meetings in Paris on Thursday attended by representatives of the UK, the US, Ukraine, and France, according to sources.

The proposals presented by the US to its allies in Paris also imply that all territories liberated by Russia remain under Moscow’s control, while "Kyiv’s aspirations of joining NATO would be off the table," the agency said. Washington’s plans, which need to be further discussed, wouldn’t amount to a definitive settlement, according to the report.

The agency said earlier that US officials noted at the Paris meeting that they wanted to secure a full ceasefire in Ukraine within weeks.

On April 17, French President Emmanuel Macron held a meeting with the US secretary of state and US Special Envoy Steven Witkoff in Paris. According to the Elysee Palace, the constructive talks helped to converge positions on resolving the Ukraine conflict. During their visit, Rubio and Witkoff also met with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, British Prime Minister’s National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell, German Chancellor’s Foreign Policy Adviser Jens Ploetner, and the head of Vladimir Zelensky’s office, Andrey Yermak.

Another meeting of representatives from the five countries is scheduled for next week in London, AFP reported.

A U.S. citizen was held for pickup by #ICE even after proving he was born in the country

A U.S. citizen was arrested in Florida for allegedly being in the country illegally and held for pickup by immigration authorities even after his mother showed a judge her son’s birth certificate and the judge dismissed charges. The man was released after his case received widespread coverage.

Juan Carlos Lopez Gomez, 20, was in a car that was stopped just past the Georgia border by the Florida Highway Patrol on Wednesday, said Thomas Kennedy, a spokesperson at the Florida Immigrant Coalition. Gomez and others in the car were arrested under a new Florida law that’s on hold that makes it a crime for people who are in the country illegally to enter the state.

It is unclear if Lopez Gomez showed documents proving that he’s a citizen to the arresting officers. He was held at Leon County Jail.

The charge of illegal entry into Florida was dropped Thursday after his mother showed the judge his state identification card, birth certificate and Social Security card, said Kennedy, who attended the hearing. Court records show records show Judge Lashawn Riggans found no basis for the charge.

Lopez Gomez briefly remained in custody after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement requested that he remain there for 48 hours, a common practice when the agency wants to take custody of someone. ICE did not respond to a request for comment.

The case drew widespread attention because ICE is not supposed to take custody of U.S.-born citizens. While the immigration agency can occasionally get involved in cases of naturalized citizens who committed offenses such as lying on immigration forms, it has no authority over people born in the U.S. Adding to the confusion is that a federal judge had put a hold on enforcement of the Florida law against people who are in the country illegally entering the state, which meant it should not have been enforced.

“No one should be arrested under that law, let alone a U.S. citizen,” said Alana Greer, an immigration attorney from the Florida Immigrant Coalition. “They saw this person, he didn’t speak English particularly well, and so they arrested him and charged him with this law that no one (should) be charged with.”

Russian troops stay put at their bases in Syria, as Moscow is holding talks with the government in Damascus, Russia's UN envoy Vasily Nebenzya told reporters.

"Our servicemen stay where they were. We are talking to the current Syrian government," he said to a question about the Russian military presence in the Arab country.

Syria’s armed opposition units started a major offensive on government troops at the end of November and entered Damascus on December 8. Bashar Assad resigned as president and left the country.

The de facto leader of Syria is now Ahmad al-Sharaa, also known under his nom de guerre Abu Mohammed al-Golani, who heads a group called Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (banned in Russia). On January 29 he declared himself the country’s interim president for a period that he said could last four to five years.

Ecuador reelects President Noboa, a millionaire with a divisive no-holds-barred crimefighting record