Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, and who would become the first Latin American to rule the Catholic Church, was laid to rest Saturday at 1.30pm local time at Rome's Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore -not far from the Argentine Embassy- at his own request. The first papal burial outside the Vatican since 1903 was an almost private ceremony attended by Cardinal Camerlengo Kevin Farrell and family members of the Argentine Jesuit.
St. Peter's Square opened early Saturday to the public for Pope Francis' funeral, expecting over 200,000 attendees and delegations from 130 countries, including 50 top-ranking world leaders. Notable attendees included Argentina’s President Javier Milei, Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and President Sergio Mattarella, and US President Donald Trump.
Chubut, Argentina, has established the Patagonia Azul Provincial Park, a new Natural Protected Area (NPA) spanning 295,135 hectares along its marine coast. Stretching from Cabo Dos Bahías to south of Bahía Bustamante, the park is connected by Provincial Route 1 for tourist access.
Uruguayan President Yamandú Orsi announced Friday that the state-owned fuel company Ancap recorded a loss of US$ 118 million last year under the opposition government of Luis Lacalle Pou, contrasting with a US$ 41 million profit in 2019 when the country was headed by the late Tabaré Vázquez of the currently ruling Broad Front (Frente Amplio - FA).
Paraguayan Congressman Rubén Rubín submitted a bill to Parliament whereby the Air Force could shoot down any aircraft posing a threat to national security. The proposal seeks to expand Law No. 6980/2022 on airspace protection, adding a “Phase III” to existing protocols, which would allow shooting down hostile aircraft as a last resort.
Brazil is experiencing an increase in Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) cases, with 13 states and the Federal District at alert, risk, or high-risk levels, according to the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation's (Fiocruz) latest issue of the InfoGripe Bulletin released Friday. Additionally, hospitalizations due to influenza A have increased nationwide, with Mato Grosso do Sul facing a particularly critical situation.
Vicente Esteban Coico Quispe, the 57-year-old Bolivian consul in the Argentine town of La Quiaca just across the border, was found dead after being reported missing since April 13, 2025. He had last been seen leaving his home in La Paz, Bolivia, and his body was discovered in La Quiaca, prompting a joint investigation by Bolivian and Argentine authorities.