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Investigates Investigates Money Diaries Daft.ie Property Magazine Allianz Home Magazine The 42 Sports Magazine The Journal TV Climate Crisis Cost of Living Road Safety Newsletters Temperature Check Inside the Newsroom The Journal Investigates The Explainer A deep dive into one big news story Sport meets news, current affairs, society & pop culture have your say Or create a free account to join the discussion Advertisement More Stories The Times of London's front page today Front Pages 'The People's Pope': Irish and global newspapers remember a Pope of change From Ireland to Italy to America, the consensus is that he was “the people’s Pope” who strived to change the Catholic Church. 9.38am, 22 Apr 2025 Share options NEWSPAPERS WORLDWIDE HAVE today used their front pages to remember Pope Francis, who died yesterday, aged 88. From Ireland to Italy to Australia, the consensus is that he was a Pope of the people who strived to change the Catholic Church. The Irish Independent focused on the Pope’s final message, which he read on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica at the end of the Easter Sunday mass, less than 24 hours before he died. “We must use the weapons of peace,” it said, paraphrasing Francis. He is pictured in the midst of a crowd of thousands. Advertisement Similarly, the Irish News has the Pope pictured going passed crowds in the Pope Mobile. The Examiner, known for its impactful front pages, went with a heavenly all-white background and a photo of the Pope waving behind him. It called him “the People’s Pope”. The Star in the UK also labelled him “the people’s Pope” and included eight pages of pull-out photographs of him, while the Sun’s front page went with “truly blessed”. The Times of London’s front page said the Pope was “an outsider” who tried to change the Church, while the Financial Times called him a “modernist”. The Daily Express in the UK went with the headline “he touched the lives of so many”. The large splash of the late Pope waving is accompanied by a smaller photo of a time he met King Charles and his wife Camilla. Related Reads Vatican publishes photos of Pope Francis in open coffin as funeral confirmed for Saturday morning Who could be the next Pope? Here's 15 potential successors to Pope Francis ‘Pope Francis did more for LGBTQ+ people than any Pope in history,’ says prominent US priest Corriere della Sera, Italy’s most-read newspaper’s splash called him “papa degli ultimi,” which roughly translates to the Pope of marginalised people. In the United States, the New York Times focused on Francis’s legacy in America, saying he made the Church more “open”, at least at first. The Washington Post gave the Peope’s death a bit less real estate on its front page, but also focused on the change Francis tried to bring about. The paper said it was a “papacy of humility, warmth and mercy”. In Australia, the Sydney Morning Herald called him a “reformist”, while the Herald Sun also called him a Pope of the people too. Canadian paper The Globe and Mail, as well as the Toronto Star went for similar front pages, showing the Pope surrounded by adoring Catholics. “The people’s pontiff,” says the Star. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Support The Journal Mairead Maguire View 13 comments Send Tip or Correction Embed this post To embed this post, copy the code below on your site Email “'The People's Pope': Irish and global newspapers remember a Pope of change”. Recipient's Email Feedback on “'The People's Pope': Irish and global newspapers remember a Pope of change”. 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Here's 15 potential successors to Pope Francis Weather Forecast Joanna Donnelly surprises viewers with departure from RTÉ News after nearly a decade University Challenge Harvard University sues Trump administration to stop federal funding freeze LGBT Catholics ‘Pope Francis did more for LGBTQ+ people than any Pope in history,’ says prominent US priest Weather Forecast Joanna Donnelly surprises viewers with departure from RTÉ News after nearly a decade Donegal church destroyed in early morning blaze As it happened Pope Francis died after stroke that led to irreversible heart failure, Vatican confirms Cardinal Kevin Farrell When is Pope Francis's funeral likely to take place and what role will an Irish cardinal play? more from us Investigates Daft.ie Property Magazine Allianz Home Magazine The 42 Sports Magazine Money Diaries The Journal TV Journal Media Advertise With Us About FactCheck Our Network FactCheck Knowledge Bank Terms & Legal Notices Terms of Use Cookies & Privacy Advertising Competition more from us TV Listings GAA Fixtures The Video Review Journal Media Advertise With Us Our Network The Journal FactCheck Knowledge Bank Terms & Legal Notices Terms of Use Cookies & Privacy Advertising Competition © 2025 Journal Media Ltd Terms of Use Cookies & Privacy Advertising Competition Switch to Desktop Switch to Mobile The Journal supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and the Office of the Press Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Code of Practice. 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