News from April 23, 2025 at 2 PM

According to the Holy See's press service, members of the Roman Curia and Vatican staff are currently paying their last respects to Pope Francis. The Pope passed away on April 21 at the age of 88 in the chapel of the Santa Marta guesthouse in Vatican City. A farewell ceremony began on April 22. On Wednesday, his coffin will be displayed in the Papal Basilica of Saint Peter for a three-day public farewell. The funeral is expected to take place on April 26. Pope Francis became the 266th pope in 2013, succeeding his predecessor Benedict XVI.

Pope Francis passed away from a stroke on Monday at the age of 88. His funeral will be held on Saturday in St Peter's Square, Vatican City, with hundreds of thousands expected to attend. World leaders and royals, including Sir Keir Starmer, Donald Trump, the Prince of Wales, and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, have confirmed their attendance. On Tuesday, the Vatican released details of the Pope's final 24 hours. On Wednesday, his body will be moved from the Chapel of Santa Marta to St Peter's Basilica for public viewing. The funeral will start at 10:00 AM, led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re. Pope Francis will be buried at Rome's Basilica of St Mary Major, breaking with tradition.

Harvard University has filed a lawsuit against the Trump Administration, accusing it of attempting to interfere with academic autonomy by freezing federal funds. On April 21, Harvard submitted a complaint to the U.S. District Court in Massachusetts, stating that the government's actions violate the First Amendment and the Administrative Procedure Act. Harvard President Larry Bacow said the lawsuit aims to stop the illegal fund freeze. Since January, Trump has targeted U.S. universities, criticizing their handling of campus protests. In late March, the White House announced a review of Harvard's $9 billion in federal contracts and grants, imposing conditions such as banning protesters from wearing masks and scrapping 'Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion' programs. After Harvard's refusal, the White House froze $2.3 billion in funds and threatened to revoke its tax-exempt status. Over 100 universities and academic groups jointly opposed the government's interference in higher education. A recent poll shows 57% of respondents disagree with the president's ability to freeze funds, and Trump's approval rating has dropped to 42%.

Harvard University sued the Trump administration on Monday after the federal government froze $2.2 billion in grants and sought what university officials described as 'unprecedented and improper' control over the Ivy League institution. Harvard President Alan Garber stated that the government's overreach would have severe and long-lasting consequences. The lawsuit, filed in federal district court in Massachusetts, accuses the administration of violating the First Amendment and other federal laws. Last week, the administration announced the funding freeze after Harvard refused demands aimed at addressing campus antisemitism. Harvard argues that the freeze is unrelated to antisemitism concerns and will significantly impact its research programs. President Trump suggested Harvard could lose its tax-exempt status, but the university contends the government lacks a legal basis for such a move. This dispute is part of a broader administration effort to tackle perceived inaction on antisemitism at college campuses.