TheLittleTwentieth – Renowned Papers Edition, AI Infused

Local sources from VA: Il Fatto Quotidiano, Open.
UK coverage: The Independent.

The Vatican has released images of Pope Francis’s tomb at the Santa Maria Maggiore church in Rome, where he was laid to rest on Saturday. The tomb, inscribed with the papal name of the late pontiff, features a single white rose under a crucifix. Roman Catholic faithful have begun visiting the tomb to pay their respects to Pope Francis, known for his humble approach and advocacy for the poor. The tomb was opened on the second day of official mourning for Francis, preceding the conclave to select the next pope.

In other international news, a significant archaeological discovery has been made in Egypt. Renowned Egyptologist Zahi Hawass has announced the finding of the largest ancient settlement ever found in the Land of the Pharaohs. The city, called Aton, dating back approximately 3,000 years, was hidden beneath the Egyptian desert sands for millennia and has now been unearthed by a team of archaeologists. This discovery is considered the second most important since Tutankhamun’s tomb was revealed. Jewelry, ceramic vases, scarab amulets, and mud bricks bearing the seals of Amenhotep III have been found in the city.

Turning our attention to Ukraine, satellite images have revealed the construction of a large Russian military base in Mariupol. The strategically important port city, which connects the Federation to the annexed Crimea, has been under siege by Russian forces for nearly three months. The base is being built to strengthen Moscow’s presence in the area. Ukrainian officials estimate that approximately 25,000 civilians have been killed in the attacks, with the United Nations confirming the deaths of 1,348 civilians. The city’s infrastructure has been largely destroyed, and satellite images suggest that Moscow has begun demolishing uninhabitable residential buildings. Additionally, Russian troops have been burying the bodies of victims in the main city cemetery, with a significant expansion of the number of graves observed. The construction of a protective barrier around the Drama Theater, which was bombed by Russian forces resulting in the death of approximately 500 people, has also been noted.

As the world mourns the loss of Pope Francis, Egypt celebrates the discovery of the ‘Lost City of Gold,’ and Ukraine continues to face the devastating consequences of Russian aggression, these events remind us of the diverse and interconnected nature of our global community.