World
Autopsy Results Released After Death of Liam Payne
Buenos Aires, Argentina – Liam Payne, the former One Direction member, tragically lost his life on Wednesday after falling from the balcony of his hotel room in Buenos Aires. He was 31 years old.
The Buenos Aires police reported discovering Payne’s hotel room in a state of disarray, with prescription medication, including clonazepam, and other drugs scattered throughout.
Additionally, a whiskey bottle, lighter, and cellphone were recovered from the courtyard where his body was found.
The Argentine public prosecutor’s office stated that Payne sustained “a series of traumatic injuries and internal bleeding” from the fall. While the exact cause of death is still being investigated, authorities are treating the case as a “suspicious death.”
Evidence suggests that Payne “was going through some kind of substance abuse outbreak” at the time of the incident, and all reports indicate he was alone in his room.
Medical examiners identified 25 injuries on Payne’s body, suggesting that he “did not adopt a reflexive posture to protect himself and that he could have fallen into a state of semi- or total unconsciousness.”
Police responded to an emergency call regarding an “aggressive man who could be under the influence of drugs or alcohol” shortly after 5:00 PM local time.
A hotel manager described Payne as “overwhelmed with drugs and alcohol” and reported that he was “destroying the entire room.”
Authorities confirmed that Payne had “jumped from the balcony of his room,” but did not provide further details regarding whether the jump was intentional.
World
Vatican Confirms Pope Francis Died from Cerebral Stroke Followed by Irreversible Heart Failure
The Vatican has officially confirmed that Pope Francis died from a cerebral stroke, which led to a coma and ultimately resulted in irreversible heart failure.
The announcement was made in a statement released shortly after his passing.
Although Pope Francis did not preside over Easter Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica this year, he made a brief public appearance at the conclusion of the service to deliver his “Urbi et Orbi” (“to the city and to the world”) Easter message.
The speech, a traditional papal address given twice a year, was read aloud by an aide just one day before his death.
In the wake of his passing, the Vatican initiated its first public act of mourning—a Rosary prayer service held in St. Peter’s Square at sunset.
The solemn gathering was led by Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, Archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica.
The first reading was delivered by Sister Raffaella Petrini, Secretary General of the Governorate of the Vatican City State and one of the highest-ranking women in Vatican leadership.
Her role exemplified Pope Francis’ commitment to increasing the involvement of women in decision-making positions within the Church.
Among the many tributes pouring in from around the world, U.S. President Donald Trump reflected on Pope Francis’ legacy during remarks at the annual White House Easter Egg Roll, saying, “He was a very good man who loved the world.”
Pope Francis is widely remembered as a transformative figure within the Catholic Church.
Known for his humility and progressive tone, he sought to challenge longstanding institutional norms. Jesuit scholar Thomas Reese once observed that Francis worked to “change the style of being Pope, attack clericalism, empower the laity, open the church to conversation and debate, and shift the pastoral and public priorities of the Church.”
Further arrangements regarding the funeral and conclave will be released in the coming days as the Vatican enters an official period of mourning.