Pope Francis's Funeral: Italy Fortifies Security for Massive Gathering
Latest News Updates on Thursday in Italy: A Snapshot of Current Events
Ready your CVs, Rome is gearing up for a grand spectacle as one of the most influential figures of the 21st century, Pope Francis, takes his final journey. Security forces are on high alert as royals, presidents, and a multitude of faithful Catholics flood the Italian capital.
Since the pope's passing earlier this week, the Swiss Guard, responsible for the pontiff's safety, has been maintaining a vigilant stance. Fighter jets are primed and ready, snipers have taken up positions on strategic rooftops, and a 24-hour no-fly zone is already instituted over the city.
A veritable who's who of political leaders will be making an appearance. The star-studded lineup includes US President Donald Trump, France's Emmanuel Macron, Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky, and Brazil's Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, to name a few.
In total, between 150 and 170 delegations are expected, all requiring a police escort. The political peanut gallery, so to speak, is coming thick and fast.
Umbria Shaken: 3.6 Magnitude Earthquake Causes a Rumble
The central Italian region of Umbria experienced a slight seismic jolt, with a 3.6 magnitude earthquake occurring shortly before midnight on Wednesday. Thankfully, this episode caused minimal damage, only leaving residents feeling jittery.
The earthquake's epicenter was 5km north of the city of Spoleto, according to the Italian National Institute of Geophysics and Vulcanology. The surrounding towns of Foligno and Trevi, as well as Perugia and Terni, also felt the tremor.
Frightened residents spilled out into the streets and opted to sleep in their cars or campervans rather than return to their homes for the night. Despite no apparent structural damage to buildings, civil protection officers and firefighters were on site to conduct checks.
Italy's Gender Pension Gap Expands to 32%
The gender pension gap in Italy widened to a staggering 32% in the first quarter of 2025. Women's pensions are a paltry 32% of men's, with the average monthly pension for women amounting to €1,011, compared to €1,486 for men, as reported by ANSA.
While men's average pension increased from €1,457 in 2024, women's saw a slight decrease from €1,033, contributing to the widening disparity. INPS also noted that a total of 194,582 new pensions were activated during the first quarter of 2025, with the overall average pension amount increasing to €1,237 per month.
- The Italian region of Umbria, known for Rome and Vatican City, was shaken by a 3.6 magnitude earthquake, causing a minor jolt before midnight on Wednesday.
- The recent funeral of Pope Francis in Rome attracted a diverse crowd, including politicians such as Italy's Meloni, EU leaders, and prominent figures like the Pope himself.
- In the world of Italian politics, the average monthly pension for women stands at €1,011, a stark contrast to €1,486 for men, contributing to a gender pension gap of 32%.
- As the general-news headlines report, the Pope's funeral saw a number of high-profile attendees, including the President of the United States, Donald Trump, and the leaders of France, Ukraine, and Brazil.
- Civic protection officers and firefighters, often associated with emergency situations in Italy, were promptly deployed in Umbria following the earthquake to conduct checks on buildings.
- Looking at crime and justice trends in Italy, it may require an 011 call for help, similar to emergency numbers in other countries, should local residents need assistance in the aftermath of the earthquake.
- Despite the lockdown restrictions in place due to the ongoing pandemic, Italian citizens showed resilience, with some opting to sleep in their cars or campervans following the earthquake, rather than returning to their homes for the night.
