World News

A "simple" tomb "in the ground" bearing only the inscription "Franciscus" is among the Pope's wishes for his burial, according to a final testament released by the Vatican.Pope Francis died at the age of 88 on Monday, a day after appearing on the balcony in St Peter's Square on Easter Sunday.The Vatican said he died from a stroke that led to a coma and irreversible heart failure.Follow latest: Tributes pour in […]

The Pope was the driving force behind his hectic schedule right to the end.Behind the scenes, there was a respectful battle of wills between Pope Francis and his team of doctors who urged him against returning to his papal engagements too soon after leaving Rome's Gemelli hospital where he spent five weeks being treated for double pneumonia. Doctors prescribed two months of rest - the pope did anything but that.Pope […]

His arrival as pontiff heralded a new kind of leadership for the Catholic Church.Described by some as the people's pope, Pope Francis showed a willingness to welcome those who'd felt shunned by the Catholic faith, but as a reformer at heart, he also faced huge criticism from conservatives within the church.The clash between the traditional and the liberal remains the greatest challenge to the legacy he leaves.He was a pope […]

US President Donald Trump has said he hopes Russia and Ukraine "will make a deal this week" as Vladimir Putin's "Easter truce" expired, with the two countries blaming each other for breaking it.The Russian leader said he had ordered his forces to stop all military activity along the frontline for 30 hours from 6pm on Saturday (4pm UK time) until midnight on Sunday (10pm UK time). But on Sunday evening, […]

Pope Francis has made his first significant public appearance since he left hospital, greeting cheering crowds from the popemobile.He blessed the thousands of faithful gathered to celebrate Easter Sunday at the Vatican. The 88-year-old pontiff appeared frail as he was wheeled out onto the balcony over the entrance of St Peter's Basilica, before being driven in the popemobile through the crowds of faithful gathered in St Peter's Square.He was met […]

The Israeli military has said its investigation into the killing of aid workers in Gaza has found there were "several professional failures, breaches of orders, and a failure to fully report the incident".A commanding officer will be reprimanded and a deputy commander will be dismissed following the military investigation, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said. Fifteen aid workers were shot dead by Israeli troops who opened fire on a convoy […]

Fourteen-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi has made history by becoming the youngest player to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL) - and promptly hit the first ball he faced for a six.Opening the batting Suryavanshi, who only turned 14 last month, came on as an impact substitute for Rajasthan Royals and scored 34 runs off 20 balls, announcing himself on the big stage by hitting the first ball over extra cover […]

Emmanuel Macron will reportedly be given a state visit to the UK before Donald Trump's expected visit in September.The French president received an invitation from the King to travel to the UK at the end of May, according to The Sunday Times. The paper said few government and royal officials know the details of the engagement, which would be Mr Macron's first state visit to Britain and come eight years […]

Well it is something, but it's by no means everything - a ceasefire for 30 hours, not 30 days.This feels like a diplomatic dance, rather than a military, or moral, manoeuvre. An Easter truce - announced by Vladimir Putin on Saturday - is significant in the sense that, if it holds, it'll be the first actual cessation of hostilities since the war began.Ukraine war latest: Follow live updates And it's […]