Pope Francis returns home after five-week hospital stay

Pope Francis returned home today after spending five weeks in the hospital. He made a brief public appearance on a hospital balcony before his departure. In Gaza, the Health Ministry reported that at least 50,021 people have died since the conflict with Israel began in October 2023. This news highlights the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a snap election for April 28. This decision comes amid concerns about a potential trade war with the United States. In Turkey, Istanbul's opposition mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, vowed to continue fighting after a court confirmed his arrest. This incident has sparked significant street unrest, the worst the country has seen in over a decade. In Saudi Arabia, a U.S. envoy expressed hope for progress in Ukraine-Russia talks scheduled for Monday. He stated that he believes Russian President Vladimir Putin does not want to escalate the conflict further. In Dublin, Lord Mayor Emma Blain hosted an Afternoon Tea Dance at the Mansion House. The event aimed to celebrate music, dance, and memories while engaging with the elderly community and raising awareness about dementia. Hundreds of older people attended, and Blain expressed her delight in sharing joyful stories with the guests.