Pope Francis to lead ex-pontiff Benedict's funeral

13 Sept 12:47 Key points summarised by AI

Pope Francis will preside over the unprecedented funeral of his predecessor, Benedict XVI, at the Vatican, an event expected to draw tens of thousands.
Benedict XVI, who died at 95, was the first pontiff in six centuries to resign, and his body will be interred in the papal tombs beneath St Peter's Basilica.
World leaders, European royals, and thousands of clergy and faithful are attending the ceremony, with significant security measures in place.
Benedict's eight-year papacy was marked by his theological brilliance but also faced controversies, including his staunch defense of conservative doctrine and handling of clerical sex abuse scandals.
The funeral service will follow traditional papal rites, with minor adjustments to reflect Benedict's status as an emeritus pope.

Macron condemns those who 'sought to bring down the Republic' after rioting mars nationwide protests

Yesterday 12:56 Key points summarised by AI

President Macron condemned widespread rioting and looting during nationwide protests, blaming far-left activists and criminals for the "unrestrained violence" and vowing accountability for those who "sought to bring down the Republic."
Over 2,400 arrests were made as protests against rising living costs and poor school conditions escalated, causing extensive damage to public buildings and businesses in cities like Paris, Limoges (where City Hall burned), Marseille, and Lyon.
The unrest, which organizers hoped would revive the "yellow vest" movement, saw political leaders trade blame, with Macron instructing prefects to protect public buildings and potentially ban future protests to prevent further disorder.