A forensic team is digging up a former home in a desperate search for the remains of almost 800 babies and children.
A historic excavation is finally taking place on the site of a ‘mother and baby home’ in Tuam, Ireland, that closed more than six decades ago.
Painstaking research by local historian in County Galway, Catherine Corless, has revealed up to 798 children died at the home for unmarried mothers between 1925 up until its closure in 1961.
Many of the youngsters who died at the institution are believed to have been discarded into a former sewage tank, referred to as ‘the pit’ according to Corless.
A memorial for the 796 stands on the site that will now be excavated (PAUL FAITH/AFP via Getty Images)
Of the 798 children that died, just two were officially buried in a nearby cemetery with the rest presumed to be laid to rest in a mass grave at the site without a coffin or a gravestone.
Her findings in 2014 shook the country and the world, and highlighted a dark chapter in mid-century Ireland when Catholicism shunned ‘illegitimate’ births and denied the children baptism and a Christian burial.
The research on the site dates back to 1975 when two 12-year-old boys discovered the septic tank, reportedly full to the brim with human bones, but shrugged off the remains as belonging to the Irish famine in the 1840s.
Catherine Corless has been campaigning for the dig since her research a decade ago (PAUL FAITH/AFP via Getty Images)
“I’m feeling very relieved,” Corless told Sky News ahead of the excavation, which could take as long as two years to complete.
“It’s been a long, long journey. Not knowing what’s going to happen, if it’s just going to fall apart or if it’s really going to happen.”
St Mary’s home was run by Catholic nuns and took in women dealing with the then associated ‘shame’ of having a child out of wedlock.
Ireland was home to at least 10 such institutions, taking in around 35,000 single women across the decades where the moms were often separated from their children or their offspring was forcibly put up for adoption.
Workers have already started the work to dig up the grounds (Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)
Death records at the Tuam center list many of the children died from malnutrition and diseases like measles and tuberculosis, which were rife at the time, but an inquiry in 2021 unearthed an ‘appalling level of infant mortality’ in such homes across the country with around 9,000 children dying across 18 institutions.
The inquiry prompted the Irish government to make a formal state apology with Taoiseach Micheal Martin stating that ‘we had a completely warped attitude to sexuality and intimacy, and young mothers and their sons and daughters were forced to pay a terrible price for that dysfunction’.
The local community has been rocked by the findings (Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)
The Sisters of Bon Secours, a religious order of Catholic nuns who operated the Tuam home, also extended their ‘profound apologies’ and offered monetary compensation.
They also admitted youngsters were ‘buried in a disrespectful and unacceptable way’ at the site.
Corless added: “The church preached to look after the vulnerable, the old and the orphaned, but they never included illegitimate children for some reason or another in their own psyche.
“I never, ever understand how they could do that to little babies, little toddlers. Beautiful little vulnerable children.”
Now, the mission is to identify as many of the remains as possible with DNA testing and to give each child a dignified burial.
Featured Image Credit: Andrew Downes/ODAIT/PA Wire
Topics: Ireland, Catholic Church, World News, History
Liv Bridge
Crying nun who broke protocol to mourn Pope Francis speaks out about viral moment at his coffin
Sister Geneviève Jeanningros could be seen breaking down by the pontiff’s casket
The crying nun who broke protocol to mourn the late Pope Francis at his coffin has spoken out about viral moment.
Sister Geneviève Jeanningros is one of millions of Catholic followers from around the world who are grieving the late Pope Francis‘ death.
Francis, whose real name was Jorge Mario Bergoglio, headed up the Catholic Church for 12 years before he passed away at the age of 88 on Easter Monday (April 21) from a stroke.
He was elected pope on March 13, 2013, just 13 days after his predecessor, Pope Benedict, stepped down due to old age.
Yet Sister Geneviève and Francis go way back before his lofty role, having shared a friendship that spanned the decades since their first meeting in 2005, according to PEOPLE.
Sister Geneviève Jeanningros went viral for her grief-stricken farewell to Pope Francis (Noticias Telemundo/YouTube)
The French nun had traveled from Rome to Buenos Aires for the burial of her aunt Leonie Duquet, who was also a nun, when she brushed shoulders with him as he was then the Archbishop of Buenos Aires.
He had given approval for the re-burial of Duquet, who died in the mid-1970s during the country’s dictatorship.
Geneviève, who is a prominent figure in working with the LGBTQ+ community, ended up striking up a friendship with Francis, and the pair would meet every week with a group of LGBTQ+ community members.
Last July, Francis also made the journey to Ostia to meet up with his 81-year-old pal.
On Wednesday (April 23) when the late pontiff was lying in state at St Peter’s Basilica, the Sister broke Vatican protocol by approaching Francis’ casket to say goodbye.
At the time, the general public were not permitted inside and only cardinals, priests and bishops, all of whom are male, were reserved entry to pay their respects.
The nun could be seen clutching a tissue while she said goodbye to her friend (Twitter)
Yet the nun could be seen near the casket wiping away her tears while clutching a tissue in a heartbreaking moment that went viral on social media.
According to NBC News, nobody stopped her when she began to weep, allowing her several private moments to grieve.
Now, Geneviève has spoken out about the incident, speaking to Noticias Telemundo at the Vatican on Friday, (April 25) before the pontiff’s funeral.
In the short interview, the nun described Francis as a ‘Father, a friend and a brother.’
She also said she paid her respects every day, not just when she made headlines for the clip.
Explaining how she became overcome with emotion, the Sister also told the Vatican press service: “Many people told me: when you go to see the Pope, take us with you.
“I cried for them too.”
The pair last met in July in Ostia Lido (Vatican Media via Vatican Pool/Getty Images)
On her last visit with the pope, the nun brought Laura Esquibel, a trans woman from Paraguay, who also commented: “I was the first trans woman to shake his hand. I’ve seen him seven times, we had lunch together. I liked him a lot.”
But the grief-stricken Sister has since rejected any further interviews, stating that she struggles to speak about the loss.
“No, I can’t. I don’t want to talk to anyone, I’m sorry. I can’t because it’s too much, you know? I liked him a lot, that’s it,” she said as per GI.
More than 250,000 mourners went to see the late pope before his funeral while thousands more piled into the holy city to attend his final farewell from St Peter’s Square, including royalty, dignitaries and world leaders.
This included US President Donald Trump, whose behavior was branded a ‘disgrace’ in sharp contrast to the nun, as well as UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Prince William and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Featured Image Credit: YouTube/Noticias Telemundo
Topics: Pope Francis, Catholic Church, Religion, World News, Europe
Liv Bridge
All the moments Trump ‘disrespected’ protocol at Pope Francis’ funeral as president is branded a ‘disgrace’
The president apparently hit a nerve at Pope Francis’ funeral
The US president has been dubbed a ‘disgrace’ after apparently ‘disrespecting’ protocol during Pope Francis’ funeral.
The beloved late pontiff was laid to rest on Saturday (April 26) at the Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica in Rome after a requiem mass at St Peter’s Basilica.
Pope Francis tragically passed away on Easter Monday which prompted hundreds of thousands to pile into the Vatican to pay their respects.
More than 200,000 people attended the funeral procession at St Peter’s Square to pay homage to the former head of the Catholic Church, who died from a stroke and heart complications at age 88, including royalty and 50 world leaders.
Among the VIP line-up was US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, as well Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Prince William.
Trump could be seen sporting a blue suit (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
However, a handful of the attendees appeared to strike a chord with the millions of viewers who tuned in to watch, and not for the right reasons.
Trump especially has been slammed for not just one but several moments of ‘disgraceful’ behavior at the funeral, after his very presence sparked backlash after it was suggested he only went to appeal to his Catholic voters.
Here are all Trump’s controversial moments.
Trump’s blue suit
Viewers were quick to point out Trump stuck out like a sore thumb among the sea of black-cladded attendees as he instead opted to wear a bright navy suit.
The traditional attire for a Catholic funeral is black, the color of mourning, and is worn to show respect to the recently deceased.
The POTUS wasn’t the only one to break the all-black funeral attire either, as Prince William similarly donned a dark blue suit.
However, other people of faith don’t follow the same stringent rules, leaving some to believe Trump and William decided against wearing a black outfit as a symbol of their lack of Catholicism.
Donald Trump is asked why he decided to go to the Pope Francis’ funeral. He starts babbling about how he won the Catholic vote and made it all about himself like a quintessential narcissist.
Standing on the carpet
Suit aside, Trump was also seen getting a bit too near to Pope Francis – in that his toes overstepped the carpeted boundary around the coffin.
According to The Art Newspaper, attendees cannot step on the carpet beneath the coffin as it symbolizes the ‘holy ground’ that is reserved for the late pontiff.
Yet instead of respectfully approaching the foot of the coffin to pause in a moment of reflection and prayer, both Trump’s and Melania’s shoes tip-toed onto the sacred rug.
By contrast, other mourners managed to keep a distance from the coffin – and the rug around it.
Texting, sleeping and chewing gum
There are some subtle signs your body language can indicate you might be feeling a little bored, and then there are the blatant signs, like scrolling on your phone, falling asleep and chewing gum.
Well, Trump seemingly managed to do all of the above during various points in the funeral after viewers spotted him using his phone, briefly ‘nodding off’ and later chewing gum, all while sitting in the front row.
At one point, the POTUS could be seen learning forward to type on his cellphone in his hand before looking up and putting it away.
Later on, he unsealed a packet of gum and chucked it into his mouth while the service went on, and could be seen catching some zz’s with his eyes closed and his mouth agape, all while sitting in the front row and in full view of the cameras.
While Trump was the only one seen munching and snoozing away, it is worth noting that several others were seen using their devices during the ceremony – and several snapped pics of the pope’s coffin as it went by.
Viewers say it looked like the POTUS fell asleep at some points (FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP via Getty Images)
Leaving the pope’s funeral early
Trump also didn’t waste any time in getting out of there once the funeral finished either as viewers noted he made a very quick exit to travel back to the US.
Many were just as quick at slamming the president’s behaviour at the funeral on social media.
“Of course Trump is the only jacka** wearing a blue suit and blue tie to a funeral….such an embarrassment,” said one.
“Donald Trump couldn’t even be respectful and wear a black suit to Pope Francis’ funeral like the rest of world leaders. He always has to stick out and try and be the center of attention,” raged another.
A third chimed: “Trump at the Pope’s funeral. No traditional black suit, hunched over and sleeping! Just blasphemous!”
Meanwhile, a fourth summed the whole debacle up, writing: “Trump fell asleep at the Pope’s funeral, he walked on the rug that was under the casket (a big no no), refused to wear a dark suit, said he was looking forward to a fun trip (it’s a freaking funeral, nimrod) and left well before it was over.
“Sheesh.”
Featured Image Credit: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
Topics: Donald Trump, Pope Francis, World News, Catholic Church
Liv Bridge
Pope Francis’ shocking net worth at time of death explained as his last will is to be revealed
The Vatican announced on Monday Pope Francis died aged 88
The net worth of Pope Francis at the time of his death has been detailed after the Roman Catholic Church head died at the age of 88.
Francis, whose real name was Jorge Mario Bergoglio, experienced ill health in recent months after suffering a respiratory infection, chronic bronchitis, which developed into pneumonia in both lungs, and a mild kidney failure.
While many thought Francis was on the mend after he was discharged from hospital earlier this month, the Vatican confirmed on Monday (April 21) that Francis had died at 7:35am local time.
Pope Francis had died aged 88 (Franco Origlia/Getty Images)
Camerlengo Cardinal Kevin Farrell said: “Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7.35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father.
“His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his Church.
“He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with faithfulness, courage, and universal love, especially for the poorest and most marginalised.
“With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite, merciful love of God, One and Tribune.″
The Mirror reports that Francis’ net worth was said to be worth nearly $16 million when he died, despite not being paid since becoming the Pope in 2013.
There were many decisions Francis decided to undertake during his time as the Pope which certainly showed his frugal nature.
Francis was entitled to draw on a whopping $385,000 per year, which could now be paid to a foundation, passed on to a family member, or even donated back to the church.
Despite his massive net worth, Francis spent a life helping those less fortunate, including one famous moment of him helping the homeless in his home town of Buenos Aires.
Pope Francis had a massive net worth (Vatican Media via Vatican Pool/Getty Images)
The Pope also decided not to live in the Papal Palace, despite many of his predecessors residing there.
Instead, Francis would be found in a more bog-standard form of accommodation.
Since the Vatican announced Francis’ sad passing, the tributes have poured in – including one from Vice President JD Vance.
Vance, who is a Catholic convert, met with Francis on Easter Sunday (20 April), less than 24 hours before the Pope passed away.
The vice president has taken to Twitter this morning to pay his respects to Francis.
Vance wrote: “I just learned of the passing of Pope Francis. My heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him.
“I was happy to see him yesterday, though he was obviously very ill. But I’ll always remember him for the below homily he gave in the very early days of COVID. It was really quite beautiful.”
Featured Image Credit: Vatican Media via Vatican Pool/Getty Images
Topics: Pope Francis, Catholic Church, World News, Religion, Money
Callum Jones
Trump reveals his ‘no. 1 choice’ for the next pope and it’s left people very unsettled
President Donald Trump, who has long claimed to be religious, has been asked who he would like to see be the next pope
President Donald Trump has revealed who he’d want to be the next pope, and the answer is sure to leave some people praying.
After Pope Francis sadly passed away at the age of 88 on Easter Monday (April 21) – with Trump attending his funeral on Saturday – a date has now been set to for cardinals to meet as part of a secret conclave to elect the next pope – a week today.
Around 135 cardinals from all around the world are believed to be attending the closed-door meeting in the Sistine Chapel, located in Rome’s Vatican City, but none of those are favored by Trump.
When asked on the lawn of the White House who he wishes to become pope next, you can only imagine what the 78-year-old Republican said. Have a listen:
Yes, he responded: “I’d like to be pope – that’d be my number one choice.”
Of course, the president was joking but it’s still left people feeling very unsettled, to say the least!
Taking to Twitter, one user wrote: “A convicted pope,” while another quipped: “Let me guess, ‘I’d be a better pope than any past pope’.”
Another joked: “If he becomes pope, then perhaps there will be historic changes in the religious system.”
With a fourth adding: “Why yes. Clearly Trump has a clear grasp on Catholicism. Question? If he doesn’t get two thirds vote from the College of Cardinals, will Trump accuse the papacy of cheating?”
President Donald Trump holds a bible outside a church in Washington D.C, back in 2020 (BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images)
Unfortunately for Trump, and I’m sure a few MAGA supporters, even if he wanted to be considered as a candidate, he is ineligible.
To be up with a chance of election into the Apostolic Palace, you must be Catholic, meaning you’d first need to be baptized.
Trump is a Christian in belief so unless he converted to Catholicism before Wednesday next week, his chances of becoming the next pope are nil.
Some people were fighting the president’s corner however, with one penning: “Trump would be an excellent Pope!” while a second typed: “I think he was joking – right?”
A third laughed: “Hahaahahahahha! Even the people that don’t like Trump have to admit, this was funny!”
Ivanka, Melania and Donald Trump pose next to Pope Francis back in 2017 (EVAN VUCCI/AFP via Getty Images)
With another adding: “Trump is the best Troller that the world has ever seen.”
Trump has previously been questioned over his religion; if you recall back in 2015 during his presidential campaign, he claimed the Bible was his favorite book.
When asked by a CNN reporter what his most liked verse from the holy book is, he replied: “I wouldn’t want to get into it. Because to me, that’s very personal.
“The Bible means a lot to me, but I don’t want to get into specifics.”
Before being asked to share whether he preferred the New or Old Testaments, he responded: “Probably equal. I think it’s just incredible.”
