Shumita Basu

His doctors said they weren't sure he was going to survive. And when he was released in late March, they urged him to remain isolated in his residence for at least two months. But Joshua McElwee, the Vatican correspondent for Reuters, told the Reuters Econ World podcast that Francis was eager to return to his normal activities.

His doctors said they weren't sure he was going to survive. And when he was released in late March, they urged him to remain isolated in his residence for at least two months. But Joshua McElwee, the Vatican correspondent for Reuters, told the Reuters Econ World podcast that Francis was eager to return to his normal activities.

His doctors said they weren't sure he was going to survive. And when he was released in late March, they urged him to remain isolated in his residence for at least two months. But Joshua McElwee, the Vatican correspondent for Reuters, told the Reuters Econ World podcast that Francis was eager to return to his normal activities.

So he chose to resume some of his duties. He greeted Catholics who gathered in St. Peter's Square on Palm Sunday. On Holy Thursday, he went to a nearby prison to meet people there and told them he was praying for them and their families. Days later, he prayed in front of the main altar at St. Peter's Basilica. And on Easter Sunday, he briefly met Vice President J.D.

So he chose to resume some of his duties. He greeted Catholics who gathered in St. Peter's Square on Palm Sunday. On Holy Thursday, he went to a nearby prison to meet people there and told them he was praying for them and their families. Days later, he prayed in front of the main altar at St. Peter's Basilica. And on Easter Sunday, he briefly met Vice President J.D.

So he chose to resume some of his duties. He greeted Catholics who gathered in St. Peter's Square on Palm Sunday. On Holy Thursday, he went to a nearby prison to meet people there and told them he was praying for them and their families. Days later, he prayed in front of the main altar at St. Peter's Basilica. And on Easter Sunday, he briefly met Vice President J.D.

Vance, and he greeted the crowds of people who gathered in St. Peter's Square to celebrate the holiday. And through one of his archbishops, he delivered his final Easter blessing, where he repeated his call for a ceasefire in Gaza. That sermon was his final address to the public.

Vance, and he greeted the crowds of people who gathered in St. Peter's Square to celebrate the holiday. And through one of his archbishops, he delivered his final Easter blessing, where he repeated his call for a ceasefire in Gaza. That sermon was his final address to the public.

Vance, and he greeted the crowds of people who gathered in St. Peter's Square to celebrate the holiday. And through one of his archbishops, he delivered his final Easter blessing, where he repeated his call for a ceasefire in Gaza. That sermon was his final address to the public.

Pope Francis had been outspoken in his opposition to Israel's war in Gaza and repeatedly denounced the humanitarian crisis for Palestinians in the region. In fact, The Wall Street Journal reports he maintained a near daily routine over the past 18 months of war. making regular calls to the only Catholic church in Gaza.

Pope Francis had been outspoken in his opposition to Israel's war in Gaza and repeatedly denounced the humanitarian crisis for Palestinians in the region. In fact, The Wall Street Journal reports he maintained a near daily routine over the past 18 months of war. making regular calls to the only Catholic church in Gaza.

Pope Francis had been outspoken in his opposition to Israel's war in Gaza and repeatedly denounced the humanitarian crisis for Palestinians in the region. In fact, The Wall Street Journal reports he maintained a near daily routine over the past 18 months of war. making regular calls to the only Catholic church in Gaza.

That's the Holy Family Church, where roughly 450 Palestinian Christians have sought refuge. Each time he called, one of the first questions he would ask was, what did you eat today? A parishioner at the church told the Wall Street Journal that his calls always made them feel less alone.

That's the Holy Family Church, where roughly 450 Palestinian Christians have sought refuge. Each time he called, one of the first questions he would ask was, what did you eat today? A parishioner at the church told the Wall Street Journal that his calls always made them feel less alone.

That's the Holy Family Church, where roughly 450 Palestinian Christians have sought refuge. Each time he called, one of the first questions he would ask was, what did you eat today? A parishioner at the church told the Wall Street Journal that his calls always made them feel less alone.

And Father Gabriel Romanelli told CBC News that the Pope's calls were a source of hope, particularly early in the war.

And Father Gabriel Romanelli told CBC News that the Pope's calls were a source of hope, particularly early in the war.

And Father Gabriel Romanelli told CBC News that the Pope's calls were a source of hope, particularly early in the war.

In his final phone call to the church on Saturday, Francis told the parish he was praying for them, and he told them he needed their prayers. His funeral is on Saturday, and more than 170 heads of state or government are expected to attend, including President Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and the president of Francis' native country, Argentina.

In his final phone call to the church on Saturday, Francis told the parish he was praying for them, and he told them he needed their prayers. His funeral is on Saturday, and more than 170 heads of state or government are expected to attend, including President Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and the president of Francis' native country, Argentina.