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Thousands pay tributes as Pope Francis’ body lies in state at St. Peter’s Basilica

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Pope Francis

Thousands pay tributes as Pope Francis’ body lies in state at St. Peter’s Basilica

Vatican City was filled with the sounds of bells and heartfelt chants on Wednesday morning, as thousands of mourners gathered to honor the late Pope Francis.

In a moving and solemn procession, his simple wooden coffin was carried through St. Peter’s Square, marking the beginning of final rites for the beloved pontiff.

The procession began at the Domus Sancta Marta, the residence where Pope Francis passed away, and continued toward St. Peter’s Basilica. There, his body will lie in state until his funeral, scheduled for Saturday.

Two long lines of cardinals and Vatican officials escorted the coffin, while faithful from around the world looked on in prayer and reverence.

Dressed in a red chasuble and a white miter, with a rosary gently wrapped around his fingers, Pope Francis was honored with continuous applause as Swiss Guards solemnly accompanied the casket through the square.

Teresa Piuvano, a New Jersey resident who has been in Rome since March volunteering at Vatican events for the Jubilee year, saw Francis’ appearances on Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday. Easter, she said, “was the most special. I think he wanted to do that to say goodbye to the people because he rode around the whole square even though he was very ill.”

Inside the basilica, the pope was laid on a simple podium instead of the wooden structure, called a catafalque that has traditionally held a pope’s coffin as he lies in state. The ceremony that concluded the procession, led by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who as camerlengo is charged with overseeing the logistics of the pope’s funeral, referred to Francis in humble terms such as “bishop” and “pastor.”

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“Dearest brothers and sisters, with great emotion we accompany the mortal remains of our Pope Francis into the Vatican basilica where he often exercised his ministry as the bishop of the church that is in Rome and as pastor of the universal church,” Farrell said in the prayer service.

After the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, Francis changed the protocol for papal funerals to streamline and simplify the procedures. The pope wanted his own funeral to reflect the life of a pastor and not of a powerful king or politician, he said in interviews.

After the ceremony, cardinals proceeded to bow one by one in front of the coffin before the mourners lined up in the square were admitted.

Nearly 20,000 people visited the basilica yesterday, according to the Vatican, which added that it would ensure that all who wish to pay their final respects to the pope have a chance by staying open after midnight if necessary.

Second General Congregation of Cardinals held in the Vatican

The second General Congregation of Cardinals began yesterday afternoon in the Synod Hall at about 5:00 PM, and ended at 6:30 PM.

According to the Holy See Press Office, 103 cardinals were present. They began the meeting with the ‘Veni, Sancte Spiritus’ prayer, and then with a prayer in suffrage of Pope Francis.

The Cardinals who were not present at Tuesday’s General Congregation were sworn in.

The programme of the Novemdiales, the ancient nine-day period of mourning for the Pope, was approved.

The next General Congregation will be today at 9:00 AM.

At the first General Congregation, held on Tuesday morning, the Cardinals decided to suspend all scheduled beatifications until the new Pope can approve them.

Moreover, in accordance with the norms of Universi Dominici Gregis, a commission of three Cardinals was selected by lot to assist the Camerlengo in the governance of the Church during the sede vacante.

These three Cardinals represent the three orders of the College of Cardinals and are replaced every three days. The first group of three Cardinals chosen was Pietro Parolin (episcopal order), Stanisław Ryłko (presbyteral order), and Fabio Baggio (diaconal order).

The Holy See Press Office noted that around 20,000 people had paid their respects to the late Pope Francis as of 7:30 PM on Wednesday evening.

Why King Charles isn’t allowed at pope’s funeral

Prince William will be traveling to the Vatican to attend the funeral of Pope Francis on behalf of the British royal family later this week. And if you’re wondering why King Charles isn’t going, he literally isn’t allowed.

Royal expert Katie Nicholl writes in Vanity Fair that King Charles “will not travel to the Vatican, in accordance with protocol and precedence which dictates that the Sovereign does not attend funerals, Buckingham Palace has confirmed.” And FYI, this isn’t the first time an heir has attended the funeral of a pope on behalf of the sovereign—back in 2005, then-Prince Charles attended Pope John Paul II’s funeral instead of Queen Elizabeth.

That said, King Charles did visit the pope just a few days before his recent passing, and he released a statement after his death.

 

Thousands pay tributes as Pope Francis’ body lies in state at St. Peter’s Basilica

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Trump Says US Navy Cleared All Mines From Strait of Hormuz, Warns Iran of ‘Zero Tolerance’

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August 25, 2026

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Trump Says US Navy Cleared All Mines From Strait of Hormuz, Warns Iran of 'Zero Tolerance'
Iranian FM Abbas Araghchi and US President Donald Trump

Trump Says US Navy Cleared All Mines From Strait of Hormuz, Warns Iran of ‘Zero Tolerance’

President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday, August 25, that all mines in the international waters of the Strait of Hormuz have been cleared or detonated by the US Navy. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump stated: “I have just been informed by the United States Navy that all mines have been removed and/or detonated from within the International Waters of the Strait of Hormuz.” The President further warned that Iran had been notified that “any ship or boat placing new mines will be immediately and systematically destroyed.” He added that the United States is enforcing a “Zero Tolerance” policy on mine placement, and that the US Space Force is “watching every square inch of the Strait.”

Two US officials with direct knowledge of the matter confirmed Trump’s announcement, stating that the US Navy has cleared the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS)—the median lane of the Strait that lies between Oman and Iran. During the conflict, Iran had deployed dozens of mines in the median lane, creating a significant hazard for commercial shipping. Over the past several months, US Navy underwater drones systematically scanned the area and located more than 100 objects suspected to be mines. The US military then contracted private companies to remove or detonate them. The clearing of the median lane now allows ships to move simultaneously in both directions through the strait with US Air Force protection. The operation comes as the US military has already been using the southern lane close to Oman’s coast to move oil tankers, with more than 500 ships transiting in the last 30 days.

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Despite the President’s announcement, an August 25 advisory from the Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) warned of a “continued risk of drifting or uncharted mines” in and near the TSS, noting that mine danger areas remain active and “clearance and mine-surveying operations continue throughout the Strait of Hormuz.” JMIC maintained the overall threat level for the waterway at SEVERE. Trump’s statement specifically refers to mines in “International Waters,” while JMIC’s assessment covers the broader Strait and areas around the traffic separation scheme. Known mines in international waters may have been cleared while surveys continue for drifting or previously uncharted mines. Still, JMIC has not declared the Strait mine-free.

The strategic waterway, through which approximately one-fifth of global oil supplies normally pass, has seen a dramatic drop in traffic during the conflict. Oil flows fell to about 5 million barrels per day recently, down from over 20 million before the war. The removal of mines will allow significantly more oil tankers to transit the strait and reduce Iran’s leverage over global energy markets.

On the same day as Trump’s announcement, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with his Omani counterpart Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Al-Busaidi in Tehran to discuss a joint proposal for the Strait of Hormuz. The proposal includes establishing a temporary joint maritime corridor and an agreement to carry out a joint project for mine clearance. However, the two countries did not reach a deal, and questions remain over whether such an agreement would be relevant given the US blockade and Trump’s unilateral announcement of mine clearance.

Trump’s latest announcement comes as tensions remain high over access to the strategic waterway. This marks the second time in a week that Trump has declared the mine threat essentially eliminated. On August 18, he said the Strait was open and that “all water mines” had been removed or detonated, though maritime authorities maintained the operating environment remained dangerous. Iran has continued asserting authority over vessel movements, and the underlying dispute over the Strait’s status remains unresolved.

Trump Says US Navy Cleared All Mines From Strait of Hormuz, Warns Iran of ‘Zero Tolerance’

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US plans largest mass visa revocation in history, up to 200,000 foreigners targeted

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August 25, 2026

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US plans largest mass visa revocation in history, up to 200,000 foreigners targeted

US plans largest mass visa revocation in history, up to 200,000 foreigners targeted

The administration of US President Donald Trump is preparing to revoke the business and tourism visas of up to 200,000 foreigners who have applied for or are currently seeking asylum in the United States.

If implemented at the reported scale, the measure would become the largest single mass visa revocation in US history and is likely to trigger legal challenges.

The planned action targets holders of B1 and B2 visas issued between 2016 and 2026 who have sought or are currently seeking asylum in the United States.

The US State Department is expected to begin announcing the revocations in the coming weeks, unless the policy is revised or challenged. The department is coordinating the process with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to identify affected visa holders.

State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said the government was working with DHS to identify and revoke the nonimmigrant visas of foreigners who entered the United States as short-term visitors but later filed for asylum.

However, Pigott did not confirm that exactly 200,000 visas would be revoked. He said the number would remain dynamic because the process would be conducted on a rolling basis.

The reported 200,000 figure should therefore be regarded as an estimate rather than a final government tally.

The proposed visa revocations would also not necessarily result in the immediate deportation of everyone affected.

Officials said most people with pending asylum cases would be recategorised but would lose their status as business or tourism visitors. Visa cancellation would therefore be separate from an automatic deportation order.

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A B1 visa is generally issued for temporary business travel, while a B2 visa is commonly used for tourism, visiting family or friends and certain medical purposes.

The Trump administration argues that some foreigners have misused short-term visitor visas by entering the United States as tourists or business travellers and subsequently filing asylum claims to remain in the country.

Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau criticised the practice, arguing that the US asylum system should not be used as a means of circumventing immigration laws.

The planned US visa revocation is part of a wider immigration crackdown by the Trump administration, which has introduced tougher screening and restrictions for prospective and existing visa holders.

The measures include increased scrutiny of applicants’ social media activity, new financial requirements for some visa applicants and restrictions on visa issuance to citizens of certain countries.

The State Department has also revoked more than 175,000 visas since President Donald Trump returned to office for his second term. The revocations have involved foreign nationals accused or convicted of crimes and people whose conduct or circumstances were deemed grounds for visa cancellation.

The administration has also intensified efforts to curb so-called birth tourism, in which foreign nationals travel to the United States to give birth.

Trump has separately sought to restrict birthright citizenship, although those efforts have faced legal challenges.

The latest visa plan could face further litigation because of its unprecedented scale and its potential impact on people with pending asylum applications.

Rights groups have criticised the administration’s broader immigration policies, raising concerns about due process and civil liberties. The Trump administration has defended the measures as necessary to strengthen border security, enforce immigration laws and prevent abuse of the immigration system.

The review of existing B1 and B2 visa holders reportedly began after the State Department received information about asylum applications from US Citizenship and Immigration Services.

For now, the final number of people whose visas will be revoked remains uncertain. The State Department has indicated that the process will be conducted on a rolling basis, meaning the eventual figure could change as officials complete their review.

If the policy proceeds at the reported scale, it would represent an unprecedented US immigration crackdown and the biggest single mass cancellation of US visas in the country’s history.

US plans largest mass visa revocation in history, up to 200,000 foreigners targeted

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Iran Warns Countries Backing New US Sanctions, Threatens Strait of Hormuz Closure

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August 24, 2026

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Iran Warns Countries Backing New US Sanctions, Threatens Strait of Hormuz Closure

Iran Warns Countries Backing New US Sanctions, Threatens Strait of Hormuz Closure

Iran’s top security official warns that any country participating in the US-led “economic war” will be treated as an enemy, threatening “seismic” retaliation as Washington prepares to unveil the “largest financial offensive in history” and the Iranian rial plunges to a record low.

TEHRAN, Iran – Iran has issued a stark warning to nations considering participation in new United States economic sanctions, vowing retaliation against any country that backs Washington’s “economic war” against the Islamic Republic. The warning, issued by Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, on Saturday, comes as the United States prepares to unveil what officials describe as the most severe economic measures in history against Iran. “We declare to all countries… do not join the economic war that the US is waging,” Rezaei said in a televised interview on state television. “Any country that participates in imposing sanctions on us will be considered an enemy”. He added that Iran would first seek to persuade such countries to distance themselves from Washington, but could subsequently target their interests if they refused. His appointment as security chief earlier this month is widely viewed as reflecting a harder political and military posture in Tehran.

Rezaei delivered a stark warning about the strategic Strait of Hormuz, through which about one-fifth of the world’s oil passes daily in peacetime. He stated that if Iran’s neighbours side with the United States in the economic campaign, “not a single drop of oil” will flow through the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, including by alternative export routes. “If the economic war continues, not a single drop of oil will be exported, neither through the Strait of Hormuz nor from anywhere in the Persian Gulf,” Rezaei said in a post on X. He also warned that Iran would consider any country participating in or supporting the US economic campaign against Tehran to be committing an “act of war”. The Strait of Hormuz had traditionally been regarded as an international waterway before the United States and Israel launched attacks against Iran on February 28, and it has remained a major flashpoint since. Iran is now reportedly in the final stages of agreeing with Oman on a plan for joint management of the waterway, which would include having ships enter the Persian Gulf through an Iranian-controlled route.

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The escalating sanctions dispute has already placed additional pressure on Iran’s economy, with the Iranian rial falling to a record low of more than 2 million per US dollar on Monday. The official central bank rate hovered near 1.5 million, while the currency has weakened over 7 per cent in under seven days from around 1.86 million per dollar last week. Iranians are feeling the pinch, with food prices rising sharply amid crushing inflation that is expected to reach 70 per cent this year, while the economy is projected to contract by more than 5 per cent. Since the war began, rice is up some 60%, and prices of beef are more than 150% higher.

The escalating tensions follow US President Donald Trump’s announcement of “devastating economic action” against Iran, warning that any country allowing its financial institutions, businesses, airports, or government entities to provide support to Iran would face severe economic consequences. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that he would hold a press conference on Monday to unveil the new measures, which he described as the “single greatest financial offensive ever marshalled against an adversary”. In an opinion piece in the Financial Times, Bessent declared that “an economic D-Day operation is about to be launched—the largest financial offensive ever directed at an adversary”. The Treasury is expected to expand secondary sanctions targeting countries and companies that maintain business ties with Iran, potentially threatening exclusion from the US dollar-based global financial system. Targets are expected to include Iranian oil revenue networks, including Chinese independent refineries purchasing Iranian crude. Bessent explicitly said the goal is to collapse the current regime in Iran, issuing a stark ultimatum to the world: “you are either with us or against us”.

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps spokesperson Sardar Mohebi announced that Iran has already formulated comprehensive plans to counter all forms of US hostility, including economic pressure. Mohebi stated that Iran would continue conducting economic activities “under America’s nose” and bypass US restrictions by engaging with other nations. He described Washington’s reliance on economic pressure as a tacit admission of what he called a “humiliating defeat” on the military front. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi dismissed the threat of new sanctions as a sign of US “desperation,” posting on X: “We have seen this movie before. Same bull. Different bullies”. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf mocked the latest US sanctions threat using satire, posting a four-panel comic depicting a giant boomerang labelled “the most crushing economic operation ever” returning to strike the person who launched it.

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China, one of Iran’s biggest oil customers with over 80 per cent of Iran’s shipped oil going to Beijing in 2025, has already rejected Washington’s approach. A spokesperson for China’s embassy in Washington responded that “sanctions and pressure do not help resolve the problem” and called for diplomacy. Beijing has vowed to protect its legitimate interests as the US prepares to expand its sanctions campaign. The United Arab Emirates, once one of Tehran’s most important trading partners and a major re-export and financial hub for Iranian businesses, has recently suspended all trade with Iran. Trump had called the leader of the UAE the day before the announcement, and Tehran suspects the move may have been influenced by Washington’s pressure campaign. The suspension marks a significant setback for Tehran’s regional economic ties.

Rezaei described Iran’s strategy as a three-stage sequence, starting with talks with countries cooperating with the US to de-escalate tensions. “Of course, we will first negotiate with them. We will hold talks and tell them to step aside and distance themselves from the United States,” he said. “But if they do not act, we will strike. We will target that country’s interests”. Rezaei also warned that any fresh action by US President Donald Trump could trigger a much broader confrontation, saying: “Should Trump take action, our confrontation will be like an earthquake”. He claimed that Iran had not yet used its full range of options, adding: “So far, we have only targeted military bases, but if they want to impose economic sanctions on us, the United States has oil and economic companies around Iran and elsewhere, and we will strike them”.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi dismissed Bessent’s claims as internally contradictory, writing on X: “You say Iran’s military capability has been dismantled, 100% of its military factories destroyed and its nuclear programme buried, yet for this same Iran, the largest financial offensive in history and the mobilisation of all America’s institutions and authorities is needed. Is this a victory or an admission of American defeat?”. Iran’s Armed Forces chief of staff said Tehran was ready across land, sea, air, air defence and cyberspace to deliver “crushing, punishing and devastating responses”. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei warned that “any escalation of this situation will undoubtedly bring about consequences” and that “our hands are not tied”.

Iran Warns Countries Backing New US Sanctions, Threatens Strait of Hormuz Closure

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