United News of Bangladesh

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus left Qatar for the Vatican on Friday to attend the funeral of Pope Francis and pay his last tribute to the Pope. His presence represents a significant tribute to the memory of the Pontiff, with whom he had established a deep and genuine bond, founded on shared values and a common vision for humanity. The chief adviser is expected to reach Rome by 2:15 pm (Italy time), where he will be received by the Ambassador of Bangladesh to Italy and the Ambassador of Bangladesh to Vatican City, Chief Adviser's Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder told UNB. The Chief of Protocol of the State of Qatar, Ibrahim bin Yousif Abdullah Fakhroo, saw off Prof Yunus at Hamad International Airport in Doha as he departed for the Vatican around 12:25pm (Bangladesh Time). An hour after his arrival, the chief adviser will visit St. Peter Square at 3:15 pm on Friday to pay homage to the mortal remains of Pope Francis. Bangladesh to observe 3-day state mourning following Pope Francis’ death His Most Reverend Eminence Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, Vicar General of His Holiness for Vatican City, will offer an official greeting to the chief adviser and the Bangladesh delegation at St. Peter Square. On Saturday, at around 9:30 am, Prof Yunus will again visit St. Peter Square to attend the Funeral Mass of His Holiness Pope Francis, Azad said. He will depart the Leonardo da Vinci Rome Fiumicino Airport around 8:00 am (12:00pm Bangladesh Standard Time)on Sunday and is expected to reach home in the early hours on Monday.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has been invited by Holy See Pope Francis to attend the World Meeting on Human Fraternity in Vatican City on September 12-13, 2025. The invitation was personally delivered by Father Francesco Occhetta, General Secretary of the Vatican’s Fondazione Fratelli Tutti, who met Professor Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna in Dhaka on Thursday. CA Dr Yunus extends Ramadan greetings to all During the meeting, Occhetta expressed high regard for the Nobel Laureate’s global influence, telling him, “You are a top leader; you’re a sensational figure.” The World Meeting on Human Fraternity is set to be a historic gathering, bringing together world leaders, dignitaries, and thinkers to shape a future based on unity, peace, and social justice. Central to the event will be the drafting of the Tables of Humanity, a foundational document outlining universal principles for peaceful coexistence and defining a New Human Charter inspired by Pope Francis’s vision for a more inclusive and compassionate world. Dr Yunus calls for making int'l conference on Rohingya crisis a big success A grand gathering is expected at St. Peter’s Square, marking one of the largest events. The program will also feature a global concert, discussions, and symbolic multimedia presentations reaffirming the principles of human fraternity. Occhetta informed Professor Yunus that notable world leaders, will be present. During their discussion, Professor Yunus enquired about Pope Francis’s well-being and conveyed his greetings, remarking, “He is a wonderful human.” In response, Occhetta emphasised the Foundation appreciation for Bangladesh, stating, “We didn’t come here just to invite you, but also to show our support, care, and love for Bangladesh.” Professor Yunus thanked Occhetta for the invitation and expressed his anticipation for the event, saying, “I’m looking forward to it.” The Vatican’s recognition of Professor Yunus’s Three Zero Principles—zero poverty, zero unemployment, and zero net carbon emissions—underscores his transformative leadership and commitment to fostering a just and sustainable world..  

Pope Francis was resting on Wednesday, marking the beginning of the Lenten season leading up to Holy Week, after sleeping through the night while wearing a ventilation mask during his hospital treatment for double pneumonia, reports AP. Pope rests after double pneumonia, needs ventilation In its latest update, the Vatican confirmed that the pope had a good night’s sleep, waking shortly after 8 a.m. He remained in stable condition, though his prognosis remained cautious, meaning he was still not out of danger. In the morning, he resumed supplemental oxygen via a nasal tube, alternating with the ventilation mask at night to assist with his breathing and allow for better rest. At 88 years old, Pope Francis, who suffers from chronic lung disease and had part of his lung removed when younger, experienced two respiratory crises on Monday, which delayed his recovery. On Tuesday, he was only receiving supplemental oxygen following the previous day’s respiratory issues but resumed using a ventilation mask overnight, according to the Vatican. The pope’s hospitalisation, which began on February 14, marks the longest of his 12-year papacy. As Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, the Vatican is continuing preparations for the season, despite the pope's absence. A cardinal has been appointed to take his place during Vatican celebrations, including the traditional service and procession in Rome. On Ash Wednesday, Catholics receive the sign of the cross in ashes on their foreheads, symbolising human mortality. It is a day of fasting and abstinence, marking the start of the most penitential season in Christianity. Preparations for Lent proceed without the pope, who had initially planned to attend a spiritual retreat this coming weekend with the rest of the Holy See hierarchy. However, the Vatican confirmed on Tuesday that the retreat would still take place, with the theme of “Hope in eternal life,” which had been chosen weeks before his illness. Pope Francis, who uses a wheelchair due to limited physical activity and is overweight, had been undergoing respiratory physiotherapy to improve his lung function. His inability to expel fluid from his lungs due to weak muscle tone was contributing to his condition. Doctors frequently use noninvasive ventilation to prevent the need for more invasive procedures such as intubation. The pope has not been intubated during this hospitalisation. It is unclear whether he has provided any directives regarding the limits of his care in the event of a serious decline or loss of consciousness. Italian Premier visits Pope Francis in hospital Catholic teaching asserts the importance of defending life from conception until natural death. It maintains that chronically ill patients, even those in vegetative states, should receive “ordinary” care like hydration and nutrition, but “extraordinary” or disproportionate care may be suspended if it no longer benefits the patient or merely prolongs suffering.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina wrapped up her four-day bilateral visit to Italy and left for Dhaka on Friday.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had an audience with Pope Francis, the spiritual leader of the Catholics of the world, at the Holy See (Vatican City) on Thursday.

Vatican City, Oct 22 (AP/UNB) — A top Vatican administrator is denying the Holy See risks default over its structural deficit, saying claims in a new book about possible financial ruin are overblown.