MORNING HEADLINES | Pope Francis, who made a brief Easter appearance Sunday, died at the Vatican early Monday, officials said. His death was less than a month after a life-threatening respiratory condition, according to reports.
The pontiff, 88, is remembered as an empathetic reformer who defended the marginalized and often clashed with traditionalists in the Catholic church.
“A little bit of mercy makes the world less cold and more just,” he once said. Read an obituary here.
World leaders are praising the legacy of the pontiff, the second-oldest pope in modern history.
“From Buenos Aires to Rome, Pope Francis wanted the Church to bring joy and hope to the poorest,” French President Emmanuel Macron said.
Memorable moments in his papacy included bringing refugees home on the papal plane in 2016, embracing a man covered in boils, washing the feet of migrants and lunching with the homeless in Washington, D.C.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell, an American of Irish origins, becomes the Vatican’s de facto administrator after the pope’s death — until a new leader is chosen.
At issue in the papal transition will be whether Francis’s inclusive focus will continue or the church will return to a more traditional type of leadership. As pontiff, Francis defended the marginalized and clashed with traditionalists.
In other weekend headlines:
CP OPINION, Brack: It’s time to right some big wrongs. “It’s sad to say, but there’s more wrong going on than right these days in the United States. Sadder still is that these national wounds are self-inflicted — by the Trump Administration, a fearful Congress and a judiciary that needs to wake up more.”
CP PHOTO ESSAY: Hundreds attend Brittlebank Park protest in Charleston. Take a look at this photo essay of hundreds protesting Trump Administration policies in Charleston. Protests occurred Saturday in more than 700 locations around the country.
CP WEEK IN REVIEW: Senate tries again on medical marijuana. Despite perennial high hopes among pot legalization supporters, few expect major changes to the state’s marijuana laws during the legislature’s 2025-26 session. One possible exception? Medical marijuana, which passed the S.C. Senate last year before dying without a vote in the S.C. House.
- Clyburn meets voters face-to-face as GOP keeps distance
- Hearing to remove Loftis starts today in state Senate
- Statehouse Report issue 14.16: Dem questions, medical marijuana
- S.C. hemp industry has seen ups, downs
- Pascoe party switch forces state Dems to face tough questions
New infrastructure allows S.C. ports to handle more shipping. A $23 million investment means the state’s business container terminal can again handle three mega-ships at once.
Inaugural BermudAir flight lands in Charleston. The new international service started Saturday.
Closing arguments expected today in ex-Charleston deputy’s trial. Closing arguments are expected in the trial of a former Charleston County deputy accused in the deaths of three women killed in a 2022 crash.
Murdaugh accomplice pleads guilty to wire, bank fraud in S.C. Russell L. Lafitte, the 54-year-old Hampton banker who was accused of helping convicted murderer Alex Murdaugh hide millions of stolen funds, pleaded guilty Friday to federal wire and bank fraud charges.
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