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Forbes
3 days ago
- General
- Forbes
The Emotional Cost Of Dating Men And How Women Are Rewriting Rules
Photo by DIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP via Getty Images. A new cultural lexicon is emerging, and at the center of it is a term that captures the private exhaustion and public irony many straight women feel toward modern relationships with men: heterofatalism. Initially coined by academic Asa Seresin and recently spotlighted in the New York Times Magazine and Sexual Health Alliance, heterofatalism refers to the resigned belief that heterosexual relationships are emotionally unfulfilling. These viewpoints suggest women pursue them anyway because they feel there might not be better options. However, beyond the memes and gloomy quips lies something more profound: a crisis of expectation, a mismatch of emotional labor, and an opportunity to reframe how straight women approach dating with greater clarity, curiosity, awareness and self-leadership. This article explores the psychological and cultural roots of heterofatalism, synthesizes dating and relationship science and offers tools for dating men today without compromising your softness, emotional essentials or standards. What Is Heterofatalism? When Cynicism Masks Hope Unlike heteropessimism, which performs emotional detachment for irony or cool-girl effect, heterofatalism carries a heavier emotional resignation. Women may say, "I am hesitant about men," only to download the app again the next morning, reflecting not just disappointment in individual men, but in the more all-around system of heterosexual romance. The internal dialogue might become something like: "Even if I know better, even if he might not meet my needs, I want to pursue the connection anyway." As the Sexual Health Alliance notes, heterofatalism often arises from a lack of relational modeling, and from watching women in our families "choose partners they did not seem to like." It can be intergenerational, systemic and reinforced by media that glamorizes dysfunction under the guise of chemistry. But how can we distinguish one from the other? Here's where self-agency comes in. Cultural Conditioning, Romantic Myths And Emotional Labor Popular culture has long sold women the idea that love will heal, elevate and complete us. But research on romantic beliefs suggests that idealizing a partner can actually predict greater disappointment over time, especially when initial chemistry masks incompatible values, true friendship or aligned long-term goals. Even well-meaning narratives like "men should protect and provide" can reinforce benevolent sexism, an ideology that seems sweet but ultimately positions women as passive recipients of male behavior. These beliefs can make women more likely to excuse or romanticize emotional immaturity in men in the personal and professional realms alike. It comes as no surprise that women in heterosexual relationships might often feel like they carry more of the emotional labor, initiating hard conversations, managing conflict and tracking their date's emotional needs. This imbalance contributes directly to the burnout that fuels heterofatalism, a widespread apathy towards the dating scene. The Psychology Behind Attraction And Repetition Classic social-psychology theory suggests people pair with those of similar social desirability, also known as the Matching Hypothesis. Yet in the world of dating apps, this can backfire. Research analyzing millions of profiles reveals that both men and women often pursue partners who are estimated to be about 25% more attractive than themselves, despite these advances yielding fewer responses. In other words, chasing someone perceived as "out of the league" is common, but it is rarely successful. The convenience of mobile dating comes with its own set of challenges. A 2024 Forbes Health survey reports that 78% of users feel emotionally, mentally or physically exhausted from app use — and women report slightly higher rates than men. This aligns with qualitative findings showing "burnout" results from repeated cycles of hope, ghosting and emotional drain, or what researchers call mobile-online-dating fatigue. Gen Z daters report even higher rates: nearly 79% say app fatigue has influenced them to seek offline alternatives or authenticity-first platforms (RAW app data, 2025). Apps like Bumble and Hinge are responding by introducing features such as conversation prompts and "double-date" modes to ease cognitive load and enhance engagement, too. Why We Repeat Patterns: The Pull Of The Unavailable Beyond algorithms and exhaustion, attraction is often shaped by what feels familiar, rather than what is healthy. Many women report being drawn to unavailable or emotionally inconsistent partners due to unresolved attachment patterns. Unsurprisingly, this dynamic perpetuates cycles of disappointment masked as excitement, especially in high-status, emotionally ambiguous men. Heteropessimism refers to the ironic detachment and performative complaint about men while still participating in heterosexual dating. Its emotional tone is often askew and cynical, and it has become a staple of memes and social media commentary, such as 'men are trash.' Heterofatalism, on the other hand, carries a more profound resignation: the belief that dating men may be unsatisfying, but there's no better alternative. Its tone is more defeated and ambivalent, emerging from emotional labor burnout and accumulated relational hopelessness, among others. It's Not About Not Dating Men, But Dating With Discernment, Intention And Self-Sovereignty Heterofatalism is not about giving up on love. It is about letting go of scripts that exhaust us. Instead of abandoning desire, we can choose to desire with clarity and intention. Instead of succumbing to resignation, we can reframe the terms of engagement comprehensively. Because dating men doesn't have to mean enduring disappointment, particularly when you choose based on emotional congruence rather than cultural programming, dating becomes a space of alignment, not depletion. Finally, as a researcher and therapist, Dr. Alexandra Solomon says, 'Healthy relationships are not found, they are built. Moreover, you can only build with someone who is also ready to build with you.' So no, the answer is not to stop dating men. The answer is to stop dating men who drain your brilliance, and to start dating as the woman who chooses herself first.
Toronto Sun
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Toronto Sun
Senior cardinal urges conclave voters to pick a pope who seeks unity ahead of secret voting ritual
Published May 07, 2025 • 6 minute read Cardinals attend a mass for the Election of the Roman Pontiff, prior to the start of the conclave, at St. Peter's Basilica in The Vatican, on May 7, 2025. Photo by DIMITAR DILKOFF / AFP via Getty Images VATICAN CITY — With all the pomp, drama and solemnity that the Catholic Church can muster, 133 cardinals on Wednesday began centuries-old rituals to elect a successor to Pope Francis, celebrating a morning Mass before opening the most geographically diverse conclave in the faith's 2,000-year history. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, presided over the service, urging the voters to set aside all personal interests and find a pope who prizes unity. The world today needs a leader who can awaken consciences, he said. From the altar of St. Peter's Basilica, Re prayed that the cardinals can agree 'on the pope that our time needs,' as he offered a final set of marching orders before they enter the Sistine Chapel later Wednesday to begin the secret voting. Hailing from 70 countries, the cardinals are being sequestered from the outside world, their cellphones surrendered and airwaves around the Vatican jammed to prevent all communications until they find a new leader for the 1.4 billion-member church. Francis named 108 of the 133 'princes of the church,' choosing many pastors in his image from far-flung countries like Mongolia, Sweden and Tonga that had never had a cardinal before. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. His decision to surpass the usual limit of 120 cardinal electors and include younger ones from the 'global south' — often marginalized countries with lower economic clout — has injected an unusual degree of uncertainty in a process that is always full of mystery and suspense, with smoke signals telling the world if a pope has been elected or not. Many cardinals hadn't met one another until last week and lamented they needed more time to get to know each another, raising questions about how long it might take for one man to secure the two-thirds majority, or 89 ballots, necessary to become the 267th pope. 'Wait and see, a little patience, wait and see,' said Cardinal Mario Zenari, the Vatican's ambassador to Syria. A final Mass, then 'All out' The cardinals began the day by participating in the Mass in St. Peter's Basilica, attended by Vatican officials and the public as pilgrims outside braved brief rain showers to watch the proceedings on giant TV screens. The 91-year-old dean of the college, Re, prayed for cardinals to find the wisdom, counsel and understanding to elect a worthy new shepherd. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Wearing bright red vestments, the cardinals processed down the central aisle of the basilica as the Sistine Chapel's boys' choir sang. They took up their seats around the main altar, which lies above the traditional burial place of St. Peter, considered to be the first pope. Re had presided at Francis' funeral, delivering a heartfelt sermon on the reforming 12-year papacy overseen by Francis, history's first Latin American pope. At 4:30 p.m. (1430 GMT; 10:30 a.m. EDT) the cardinals will walk solemnly into the Sistine Chapel, chanting the meditative 'Litany of the Saints' and the Latin hymn 'Veni Creator,' imploring the saints and the Holy Spirit to help them pick a pope. Once there, they pledge to maintain secrecy about what is about to transpire and to not allow any interference from outsiders to influence their voting. Standing before Michelangelo's vision of heaven and hell in 'The Last Judgment,' each cardinal places his hand on the Gospel and swears to carry out that duty. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The awesomeness of the chapel's frescoes, and Michelangelo's in particular, is meant to remind the cardinals of the weighty responsibility they bear. In his regulations for the conclave, St. John Paul II wrote that in the Sistine Chapel, 'everything is conducive to an awareness of the presence of God.' After the cardinals take their oaths, a senior cardinal delivers a meditation. The master of papal liturgical ceremonies, Archbishop Diego Ravelli, calls out 'Extra omnes,' Latin for 'all out.' Anyone not eligible to vote then leaves and the chapel doors close, allowing the work to begin. The cardinals don't have to take a first vote on Wednesday, but they are expected to. Assuming no winner is found, the Vatican said black smoke could be expected out of the Sistine Chapel chimney at around 7 p.m. The cardinals retire for the night and return Thursday morning. They can hold up to two ballots in the morning and two in the afternoon until a winner is found. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. While cardinals this week said they expected a short conclave, it will likely take at least a few rounds of voting. For much of the past century, it has taken between three and 14 ballots to find a pope. John Paul I — the pope who reigned for 33 days in 1978 — was elected on the fourth ballot. His successor, John Paul II, needed eight. Francis was elected on the fifth in 2013. Lobbying before the conclave While the cardinals are supposed to resist any 'secular' influences in their choice, such lobbying abounded in Rome in the days before the conclave as various groups reminded cardinals of what ordinary Catholics want in a leader. Young Catholics penned an open letter reminding cardinals that there is no church without young people, women and the laity. Conservative Catholic media slipped cardinals copies of a glossy book containing their assessments of contenders. Survivors of clergy sexual abuse warned cardinals that they would be held accountable if they failed to find a leader who will crack down on decades of abuse and cover-up. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Advocates for women's ordination were sending pink smoke signals over the Vatican to demand that women be allowed to be priests and participate in a conclave. Even the White House got involved, posting a photo of President Donald Trump dressed as a pope. Trump said it was a joke, but the gesture was denounced by former Italian Premier Romano Prodi as 'indecent' political interference in matters of faith that harked back to times when secular rulers habitually wielded religion to stay in power. Lisette Herrera, a 54-year-old tourist from the Dominican Republic, was deeply moved to find herself by chance in Rome as the conclave began. She decided Wednesday morning to skip the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain and pray instead in St. Peter's Square. 'I'm praying to the Holy Spirit for a young pope who would stay with us for a long time,' she said. 'I don't believe in conclave politics, I just feel that the Holy Spirit is here and that's all we need to know.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Armando Statti, a pilgrim from Crotone, Italy, said he expected cardinals would settle on a pope in the image of Francis or John Paul II. 'We hope he will be announced as soon as possible, for the sake of the whole world and for peace, and that he will embrace everyone,' he said. Challenges facing a new pope Many challenges face the new pope and weigh on the cardinals _ above all whether to continue and consolidate Francis' progressive legacy on promoting women, LGBTQ+ acceptance, the environment and migrants, or roll it back to try to unify a church that became more polarized during his pontificate. The clergy sex abuse scandal hung over the pre-conclave talks. Since Francis chose 80% of the voters, continuity is likely, but the form it might take is uncertain and identifying front-runners has been a challenge. But some names keep appearing on lists of 'papabile,' or cardinals having the qualities to be pope. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. — Cardinal Pietro Parolin, 70, an Italian who was Francis' secretary of state and the Vatican No. 2, is a leading contender. — Filipino Cardinal Luis Tagle, 67, is a top candidate to be history's first Asian pope. He had a similarly high-profile job, heading the Vatican's evangelization office responsible for the Catholic Church in much of the developing world. — Hungarian Cardinal Peter Erdo, 72, the archbishop of Budapest, is a leading candidate representing the more conservative wing of the church. — AP reporters Giada Zampano and Vanessa Gera contributed. Columnists Sunshine Girls Sunshine Girls Columnists Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Sun
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Toronto Sun
What to know about the conclave to elect the next pope
Published May 07, 2025 • 5 minute read Cardinals attend a mass for the Election of the Roman Pontiff, prior to the start of the conclave, at St Peter's Basilica in The Vatican, on May 7, 2025. Photo by DIMITAR DILKOFF / AFP via Getty Images VATICAN CITY — One hundred and thirty-three cardinals are sequestering themselves behind the Vatican's medieval walls for the start of a conclave starting Wednesday to elect a successor to Pope Francis. Here are some things to know about the election of the 267th pontiff of the Catholic Church, which has 1.4 billion faithful across the world. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The conclave was called after Francis died on April 21 at age 88. There was a delay between his death and the conclave to allow time for a funeral, burial and a period of mourning. It was also necessary to give cardinals time to arrive in Rome from all corners of the Earth, and to let them get acquainted before entering the conclave, an ancient ritual steeped in mystery and ritual. What happens in a conclave? The cardinals are cut off from the world at the Vatican, between residences and the Sistine Chapel, where they vote in secret _ and in silence — beneath Michelangelo's famed ceiling fresco of the Creation and his monumental 'Last Judgment.' The process — fictionalized in the 2024 political thriller 'Conclave' — is said to be guided by the Holy Spirit, and is designed to be both contemplative and free from outside interference. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Taking no chances, the Vatican is asking cardinals to hand over their phones for the duration of the conclave and is deactivating cell phone coverage at the Vatican. It also plans to use signal jammers around the Sistine Chapel and the Domus Santa Marta hotel and adjacent residence where the cardinals will sleep, in order to prevent surveillance and communication with the outside world. RECOMMENDED VIDEO White or black smoke signals? The electors cast paper ballots, and voting continues until one candidate receives a two-thirds majority, or 89 votes. After two rounds of voting, ballots are burned in a special stove — black smoke signals no decision, while white smoke means a new pope has been chosen. Electors must be under 80 years old, and are more geographically diverse than ever. They represent Catholicism's growing presence in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, as well as its traditional power base in Europe. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The longest conclave in history lasted nearly three years, but it's reasonable to assume that this conclave will be much, much shorter. Cardinals this week said they expect a short conclave, though it will likely take at least a few rounds of voting. The conclave opens late afternoon Wednesday. Cardinals are expected to hold the first round of voting on Wednesday, but there is no requirement that they do so. For most of the past century, it has taken between three and eight ballots to find a pope. John Paul I — the pope who reigned for 33 days — was elected on the third ballot in 1978. His successor, St. John Paul II, needed eight. Francis was elected on the fifth in 2013. Who are the contenders? There are no official candidates for the papacy, but some cardinals are considered 'papabile,' or possessing the characteristics necessary to become pope. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. After John Paul II broke the Italian hold on the papacy in 1978, the field has broadened considerably, such that cardinals from far-flung countries are now seen as contenders. The past three popes have hailed from Poland (John Paul II), Germany (Benedict XVI) and Argentina (Francis). Of the 133 cardinals expected to vote at the conclave, 108 were appointed by Francis. They may feel a loyalty to continuing his legacy — even though the late pontiff didn't choose cardinals based on ideology, but rather for their pastoral priorities and geographical diversity. Beyond that, the cardinals will consider practical matters, like age. Picking a relatively young man — say in his 60s — could result in a papacy of 20 years or longer. Picking a pope from where the church is growing — Asia or Africa — could bring more upheaval to the Vatican's Italian-heavy bureaucracy that is still smarting from the Argentine pope's go-it-alone style. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Once a candidate receives the necessary votes and accepts, he chooses a papal name and enters the 'Room of Tears' — named for the emotional weight of the responsibility ahead — to don his papal vestments. Minutes later, he is introduced to the world from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica with the proclamation in Latin: 'Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum: Habemus Papam!' ('I bring you tidings of great joy: We have a pope!') That will be immediately followed by the revelation of his baptismal name, in Latin, followed by the papal name he has chosen. A line that stretches back to St. Peter and Jesus Every new pope is seen as a successor to St. Peter, the apostle believed by Catholics to have been appointed by Jesus as the head of the church. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells him, 'You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church,' a verse that forms the biblical basis for the papacy. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. According to tradition, Peter traveled to Rome to spread the Christian message and was martyred there during the reign of the Emperor Nero, around 64 A.D., as Christians were being persecuted. He was said to be crucified upside down at his own request, considering himself unworthy to die in the same manner as Jesus. St. Peter's Basilica now stands over what is believed to be his tomb. Why does the pope matter beyond the Catholic Church? Though the pope leads a religious institution, his influence extends far beyond it. Pope John Paul II played a pivotal role in supporting the Solidarity movement in his native Poland and encouraging resistance to Soviet domination in Eastern Europe. His moral leadership was credited by many with helping to hasten the end of the Cold War. Pope Francis, the first pontiff from Latin America, became a prominent voice on global issues from climate change to migration and economic inequality. He called for compassion toward refugees, warned against the dangers of nationalism, and urged action to protect the planet — stances that resonated well beyond church walls, and at times put him at odds with political leaders. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The first sign of the new pope's priorities will come in the name he chooses. A Francis II might signal a new pope's embrace of Francis' legacy of prioritizing the poor and marginalized; a Pius would hint at a traditionalist restoration. From John Paul to Benedict to Francis, each name has carried historical weight and theological intent. For the 267th pope, it will be his first message to the world. Read More Columnists Sunshine Girls Sunshine Girls Columnists Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Sun
24-04-2025
- General
- Toronto Sun
Vatican keeps St. Peter's open all night for public viewing of Pope Francis
Published Apr 24, 2025 • 5 minute read People including nuns dressed in blue queue at St Peter's Square to pay their respects to the Pope, who lies in state, with the St Peter's Basilica in the background on April 24, 2025. Photo by DIMITAR DILKOFF / AFP via Getty Images VATICAN CITY — So many mourners lined up to see Pope Francis lying in state in a simple wooden coffin inside St. Peter's Basilica that the Vatican kept the doors open all night due to higher-than-expected turnout, closing the basilica for just an hour and a half Thursday morning for cleaning. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The basilica was bathed in a hushed silence as mourners from across the globe made a slow, shuffling procession up the main aisle to pay their last respects to Francis, who died Monday at age 88 after a stroke. The hours spent on line up the stately via della Conciliazione through St. Peter's Square and through the Holy Door into the basilica has allowed mourners to find community around the Argentine pontiff's legacy of inclusion and humble persona. Emiliano Fernandez, a Catholic from Mexico, was waiting in line around midnight, and after two hours still had not reached the basilica. 'I don't even care how much time I wait here. It's just the opportunity to (show) how I admired Francisco in his life,' said Fernandez, whose admiration for the pope grew during his 2016 visit to Mexico. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Robert Healy, a pilgrim from Ireland, flew on the spur of the moment from Dublin just to pay his respects. 'I think it's just really important to be here, to show our respect to the Holy Father,' he said. 'We flew from Dublin last night, we're staying for one day, home tonight then. We just felt it was really important to be here.' RECOMMENDED VIDEO The last numbers released by the Vatican said more than 61,000 people had paid their respects by 1 p.m. Thursday, more than a day after opening. The basilica closed for just a short time Thursday morning, from about 5:30 a.m. until until 7 a.m., the planned opening time. Among the first-day mourners was a church group of 14-year-olds from near Milan who arrived for the now-suspended canonization of the first millennial saint, as well as a woman who prayed to the pope for a successful operation and an Italian family who brought their small children to see the pope's body. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'We came because we didn't bring them when he was alive, so we thought we would bring them for a final farewell,' said Rosa Scorpati, who was exiting the basilica Wednesday with her three children in strollers. 'They were good, but I don't think they really understood because they haven't yet had to deal with death.' Like many others, the Scorpati family from Calabria was in Rome on an Easter vacation, only to be met with the news of Francis' death on Easter Monday. Out of devotion to the pope and his message of inclusion, the grieving faithful joined the procession of mourners that wended from St. Peter's Square through the basilica's Holy Door, with the repentant among them winning an indulgence, a form of atonement granted during the Jubilee Holy Year. From there, the line extended down the basilica's central aisle to the pope's simple wooden casket. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. After three days of public viewing, a funeral Mass including heads of state will be held Saturday in St. Peter's Square. The pope will then be buried in a niche within the St. Mary Major Basilica, near his favorite Madonna icon. Security Italian authorities have tightened security around the Vatican, adding drones to foot and horse patrols to their controls along the Tiber River and Via della Conciliazione, which leads to St. Peter's Square, to secure the area for mourners and foreign delegation expected for the funeral. The Vatican said 130 delegations are confirmed, including 50 heads of state and 10 reigning sovereigns. Among those confirming their attendance are U.S. President Donald Trump with the First Lady Melania Trump, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The prefect of Rome, Lamberto Giannini, told a news conference on Thursday that 'I believe that the 'security machine' is ready,' but will remain flexible and 'ready to reshape and above all transmit a sense of serenity.' Paying respects The death of Franci s capped a 12-year pontificate characterized by his concern for the poor and his message of inclusion, but he was also criticized by some conservatives who felt alienated by his progressive outlook. A procession of priests, bishops and cardinals accompanied Francis' body Wednesday on its journey from a private viewing inside the Vatican to St. Peter's Square. The pageantry contrasted with the human interactions of rank-and-file mourners at the public viewing. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Francis lay in state in an open casket, perched on a ramp facing mourners, with four Swiss Guards standing at attention. As the crowd reached the casket, many lifted their smartphones to snap a photo. One nun accompanying an elderly woman with a cane walked away sobbing, 'My pope is gone.' Such despair was rare. The mood was more one of gratitude for a pope who had, by example, taught many people to open their minds. 'I am very devoted to the pope,' said Ivenes Bianco, who was in Rome from Brindisi, Italy, for an operation. 'He was important to me because he brought many people together by encouraging coexistence.' She cited Francis' acceptance of the gay community and his insistence on helping the poor. Humbeline Coroy came to Rome from Perpignan, France, for the planned canonization Sunday of 15-year-old Carlo Acutis, which was suspended after the pope's death. She stayed to pay respects to Francis, enjoying exchanges with Japanese mourners they met as they waited under the sun in St. Peter's Square. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'For me, it is a lot of things. In my job, I work with disabled children, and I traveled to Madagascar to work with poor people. Being here, and close to the pope, is a way of integrating these experiences, and make them concrete,' she said. Cardinals convene Cardinals continued to arrive in Rome for Saturday's funeral, and numbered 113 by Thursday. During a morning session 'the cardinals started a conversation on the church and the world,' the details of which remain private. No sooner than May 5, after nine days of official mourning, cardinals under 80 years of age will meet in a conclave to choose a new pope. That number is expected to be 133, after two cardinals said they would not make it to Rome for health reasons. 'We have not yet opened the Conclave, and one feels that,' said French Cardinal Jean-Paul Vesco, arriving for the cardinals' meeting. 'For the moment I do not believe the cardinals are saying 'who will be the next?' For the moment we are here completely for Francis.' Toronto & GTA Toronto Raptors Toronto Maple Leafs Federal Elections Canada
