The leading topic for all Italian media is the death of Pope Francis, which occurred yesterday morning and was caused by a stroke. ANSA, “RAI News“, “Sky TG24“ and “TGCom 24“ summarize the reactions of Italian leaders and clergy and foreign leaders to the news of the Pope's death. The four media outlets note that, however, there was a deafening silence from China yesterday. The media also summarizes the reactions of Italian actors, journalists, TV presenters, singers and musicians to the news of the Pope's death, writes BTA.
ANSA does not fail to comment that US President Donald Trump expressed regret for the death of Francis, but did so during an Easter celebration at the White House, at which he spoke about the Pope, while a man disguised as a large Easter bunny stood next to him - a somewhat strange company to express condolences and grief. The news sites also highlight another gaffe by Trump, who said on his social network "Truth Social" that he and Melania Trump will attend the Pope's funeral and added: "We look forward to being there" - a wording that is not particularly suitable for a trip on such a sad occasion.
„Open Online“ notes that when Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni invited Trump to visit Rome during her visit to Washington a week ago, she did not imagine that this visit would take place so soon and on such an occasion. Now this will de facto be Trump's first foreign visit since he took office. His first foreign visit was actually planned to be to Saudi Arabia. Will his trip to the Italian capital now provide an opportunity for talks with European leaders about US tariffs, as Meloni had planned, the publication asks.
Italian news sites and publications comment that apart from the date of the Pope's funeral, which is yet to be announced, everything else seems to be already known, since the Pope himself has determined exactly how he wants to be buried – without the three usual coffins, without the pomp typical of papal funerals, in an ordinary grave in the basilica of “Santa Maria Maggiore“ in Rome. Until his last hour, the Pope showed himself to be a reformer, “Repubblica“ writes on this occasion.
All Italian media, including “Corriere della Sera“ and “Stampa“, also emphasize Pope Francis' efforts to support peace, the reforms in the church that he carried out and the spiritual legacy that he leaves. “Corriere della Sera“ also quotes ordinary worshippers who say of the Pope that he was as if one of them until the very end. “Sky TG 24“ recalls that during his pontificate, the Pope criticized those who instigate wars, called on the clergy not to isolate themselves from ordinary worshipers, but to be close to them, included representatives of the LGBT community in the church and defined pedophilia as a monstrous act. The media also summarize the modest lifestyle that the Pope led.
However, in a number of media outlets such as “Repubblica“ and “Corriere della Sera“ the names of the papabili are already listed - potential candidates for the papal throne. Yesterday, the media Reuters, “The Week” and “Remnant” listed the likely contenders for the post, and in total they are 27 from different continents, among which there are 6 Italians.
“TG Com 24“ focuses on the Pope's last Easter and writes that more observant people in his entourage noticed that one of his hands was more stiff and his breathing was more difficult. Nevertheless, the Pope was among the worshippers of the Resurrection of Christ and his message was read to them because he wanted to be remembered not for the illnesses that marked the last days of his life, but for his messages of peace in the world, the media outlet adds.
„RAI News“ reports that all the cardinals are meeting in the Vatican today to decide on the date of the Pope's funeral. The media outlet also focuses on the period after the Pope's discharge from the „Gemelli“ hospital, where he was being treated for bilateral pneumonia. The Pope then had to go through a period of recovery, but this period passed without the Holy Father truly resting, the media commented, referring to the fact that the Pope until recently appeared in the Basilica of “St. Peter“ and held unofficial meetings with foreign leaders.
„RAI News“ also analyzes what will happen now with the Jubilee Year in view of the Pope's death. This „year of celebration“ for the Church began on December 24 last year and should continue until January 6 next year. Now, de facto, this Jubilee will remain in the archives as having begun with one Pope and ended with another. However, this is not the first time this has happened. There is a precedent with the Jubilee of 1700, when Innocent XII opened the Jubilee Year, then rested and the year was closed by his successor Clement XI. Now the Jubilee Year, dedicated to hope and opened by Francis, may be radically changed in terms of program and events, the media outlet comments.
A number of media outlets recall key statements by Francis, starting with the first one, made 12 years ago, after he was elected Pope. Then he said that the cardinal electors had gone to look for a pope at the end of the world, implying that he came from distant Argentina.
„Corriere della Sera“ commented that during his years as pope, Francis has also invented many neologisms that he has used in his speeches. For example, he is the author of the verb „mafiarstvam“, which means „I force poor people, ignored by society, to join the ranks of organized crime, because society leaves them no other choice, ignoring them“.
A number of media outlets are also quoting the pope's last words from his will, announced yesterday evening, namely: „The suffering that was present in the last part of my life, I offer as a gift to God in exchange for peace in the world and brotherhood among peoples“.