World

Who could be the next pope?

Published

10 months ago

May 6, 2025

There is no formal candidate process for the College of Cardinals to pull from when selecting the next pope – meaning any Catholic male could potentially be chosen as the next leader of the Catholic Church.

For the last 3,400 years, the College of Cardinals – which is the holy body that elects each pope – has pulled from within its own ranks to choose each successor to the papacy, and it is widely believed it will do so again when the conclave meets on Wednesday.

Reports suggest that there is still no clue who will succeed Pope Francis, though there are a few men expected to be at the top of the 135-member electoral body.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, 70, Italy
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, 67, Philippines
Cardinal Peter Erdo, 72, Hungary
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, 60, Jerusalem
Cardinal José Tolentino Calaça de Mendonça, 59, Portugal
Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, 65, Democratic Republic of Congo
Cardinal Raymond Burke, 76, United States of America
Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, 69, Italy
Cardinal Anders Arborelius, 75, Sweden
Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline, 66, France

In this photo from files taken on April 18, 2005 and released by the Vatican paper L’Osservatore Romano, Cardinals walk in procession to the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican, at the beginning of the conclave. (Osservatore Romano via AP)

PAPAL PULSE: EVERYDAY CATHOLICS REVEAL THEIR HOPES FOR THE NEXT POPE

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, 70, Italy

Parolin, the Vatican’s secretary of state, is the highest-ranking diplomat in the Holy See – which is the governing body of the Catholic Church – and is believed to be among the cardinals most likely to be elected to the top position.

His favor among cardinals in the Sacred College, who will vote on the next pope, is due to his politically moderate position and his career in diplomacy, reported The New York Post.

Parolin, who spent part of his career in Mexico and Nicaragua, was appointed by Pope Francis in 2014 and would likely be seen as an extension of the current papacy.

The Vatican’s secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, attends the blessing ceremony of the newly opened reception and integration center for Ukrainian refugees during the Bishops’ Conference of Slovakia in Kosice, Slovakia, on Sept. 15, 2023. (Robert Nemeti/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

WILL THE NEXT POPE BE FROM ASIA?

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, 67, Philippines

Tagle is also believed to be a frontrunner among voting cardinals and serves as the pro-prefect for the section of first evangelization of the Dicastery for Evangelization, as well as president of the Interdicasterial Commission for Consecrated Religious.

He has been dubbed the “Asian Pope Francis” particularly for their similarities when it comes to their more embracing position of the LGBTQI community than their predecessors.

In a 2015 interview, Tagle said the Church’s “severe” position on the LGBTQI community, divorcees and single mothers was doing it harm.

According to the Catholic Herald, Tagle “would be hailed by liberals, given the changing demographic of the Church.”

Pope Francis greets Philippine Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle during a ceremonial welcome at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Sept. 4, 2024. (Tiziana FabiI/AFP via Getty Images)

US CONFERENCE OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS SUES TRUMP OVER IMMIGRATION, REFUGEE FUNDING FREEZE

Cardinal Peter Erdo, 72, Hungary

There are several conservative cardinals who are believed to be top contenders for the papacy, including Cardinal Peter Erdo, who has been critical of Francis’ position on divorce and immigration.

Erdo has argued that divorced or re-married Catholics should not be allowed to receive Holy Communion due to his position regarding the “indissolubility of marriage.”

The Catholic Herald pointed out that appointing a conservative pope following Francis’ tenure would “send a powerful message about the direction the Church would be taking.”

Erdo has also differed from Francis greatly on immigration and argued in 2015 that permitting refugees to resettle is tantamount to human trafficking.

Pope Francis greets the archbishop of Budapest, Cardinal Péter Erdő, after arriving in Budapest, Hungary, on April 28, 2023. (Vatican Media Vatican Pool/Getty Images)

FROM THE HOLY LAND TO THE HOLY SEE: CARDINAL PIZZABALLA EMERGES AS PAPAL CANDIDATE

Pierbattista Pizzaballa, 60, Jerusalem

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, offered himself up as a hostage in exchange for the release of the Israeli children brutally abducted by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023.

Though Hamas did not accept the exchange, the offer garnered international attention and brought his name forward as a potential future leader of the Catholic Church.

Should the Italian cardinal be chosen for the papacy, it would be the first time in 50 years that an Italian headed the Catholic Church, which was previously long seen as under Italian control – though, given the decades he has spent in the Middle East he is also seen as a Vatican outsider.

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa attends the 7th Novemdiales Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica on May 02, 2025 in Vatican City, Vatican. Cardinals have agreed to begin the conclave on May 7th to elect the 267th Pope, following the conclusion of the Novemdiales Masses to pray for the eternal repose of the late Pope Francis. (Franco Origlia/Getty Images)

Cardinal José Tolentino Calaça de Mendonça, 59, Portugal

The Cardinal, often referred to as one of his baptismal names Tolentino, was made prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Culture and Education in 2022.

Tolentino is among the youngest of the men flagged as a potential successor to Pope Francis, which could hinder his chances of landing the papal seat.

He was also closely aligned with Francis on several issues which has garnered some controversy, particularly when it comes to the church’s position on same-sex relationships.

The Portuguese cardinal is also viewed as liberal leaning given his push for the church to engage with modern culture, including in his support of a feminist Benedictine sister who favors women’s ordination and is pro-choice.

Cardinal José Tolentino Calaça de Mendonça and American comedian Whoopi Goldberg in the Galleria Lapidaria of the Vatican Apostolic Palace, after the meeting with the Pope, on the occasion of the audience with comedians from all over the world, at the Apostolic Palace. (Photo by Stefano Spaziani/Archivio Spaziani/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images)

VATICAN PREPARES FOR LARGEST CONCLAVE IN HISTORY TO ELECT NEW POPE

Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, 65, Democratic Republic of Congo

Another conservative cardinal thought to be a serious contender is Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu from the war-torn nation of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Membership of the Catholic Church in Africa is growing faster than anywhere else in the world, according to the Associated Press.

The 65-year-old Ambongo controversially rejected Pope Francis’ blessing of same-sex couples by the Catholic Church. In a letter signed by other African priests, they said they refused to follow the pontiff’s declaration because such unions are “contrary to the will of God.”

Congolese Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Cardinal Raymond Burke, 76, United States of America

The Wisconsin native and former archbishop of St. Louis is considered to be the leading American candidate. The 76-year-old cardinal is also viewed as being from the conservative side of the Church.

He is a proponent of the Latin Mass, and has been critical of Pope Francis regarding the Church’s new language around artificial contraception, LGBT issues and civil marriages. Burke was made a cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI in 2010.

Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke attends the Consistory for the creation of new Cardinals led by Pope Francis at the St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, Vatican. (Franco Origlia/Getty Images)

CHIMNEY INSTALLED ON SISTINE CHAPEL’S ROOF AHEAD OF CONCLAVE TO PICK POPE FRANCIS’ SUCCESSOR

Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, 69, Italy

Zuppi was born in Rome. He is the president of the Italian Episcopal Conference and is viewed as an insider in Francis’ Vatican, having served as the archbishop of Bologna.

The 69-year-old Zuppi is seen as being one of Pope Francis’ favorites. He was sent on a peace mission in 2023 to Ukraine, where he met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He was also sent to meet with President Joe Biden that same year.

Zuppi was made a cardinal by Pope Francis in 2019.

Pope Francis meets with Cardinal Matteo Zuppi during an audience at the Apostolic Palace on Aug. 24, 2023, in Vatican City. (Vatican Media via Vatican Pool/Getty Images)

Cardinal Anders Arborelius, 75, Sweden

Arborelius is the first Swedish cardinal in history and has become one of the favorites slated as one of the emerging front-runners to lead the Catholic Church.

As Sweden is a predominately Protestant nation with Catholics making up just over 1% of the country, Arborelius’ elevation from Bishop to Cardinal by Pope Francis in 2017, is still seen as an advantage when it comes to vying for the top spot.

He was also the first Swede to be made a bishop of Stockholm since the 1517 Protestant Reformation when St. John Paul II appointed him in 1998, reported the Catholic Review.

Cardinal Anders Arborelius arrives for a College of Cardinals meeting at he Vatican on April 29, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline, 66, France

Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline is seen as a top contender for those who are looking to see core principles of Pope Francis carried on by the next pope, particularly when it comes to social justice and immigration.

Aveline also embraced Francis’ push to make the Catholic Church more welcoming.

As a native of Marseille, he is familiar with arguments for and against migration and he has worked with ethnically diverse populations in a city often seen as the crossroads between Africa and Europe, reported the National Catholic Reporter.

Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline greets guests on the forecourt of La Major after the funeral ceremony for the former mayor of Marseille, Jean-Claude Gaudin, in Marseille, France on 23 May 2024. (ANNE-SOPHIE NIVAL/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images)

The Vote

Of the 252 cardinals in the Sacred College, only 138 are under the age of 80 and therefore are permitted to participate in the conclave, the papal election process – though there are no age limitations for the candidate who would serve as the future pope.

Following the death of a pope, the conclave then holds a vote, and will continue to vote, until a pope is chosen by a two-thirds majority.

At that time, the ballots will be burned with a chemical that produces white smoke, as opposed to black smoke, to alert the world that a new pope has been chosen.

Caitlin McFall is a Reporter at Fox News Digital covering Politics, U.S. and World news.

World

Leonardo DiCaprio, Emma Stone and ‘Hamnet’ Win at Irish Film and TV Awards With Indie Drama ‘Christy’ Taking Top Prize

Published

2 hours ago

February 21, 2026

Press Room

Leonardo DiCaprio, Emma Stone and ‘Hamnet’ Win at Irish Film and TV Awards With Indie Drama ‘Christy’ Taking Top Prize

Leonardo DiCaprio, Emma Stone and the independent Irish drama “Christy” were among the winners at the 2026 Irish Film and Television Awards, announced in Dublin on Friday.

The Brendan Canty-directed “Christy” (not to be confused with the Sydney Sweeney boxing drama of the same name) entered the night as the top-nominated title with 14 mentions and delivered in key races, winning best film, director and casting, along with editing and a supporting actor prize for Jamie Forde. The film follows a young man seeking independence after leaving the foster system.

Elsewhere in the film categories, “Hamnet” notched wins for best international film, lead actress for Oscar frontrunner Jessie Buckley, supporting actor for Paul Mescal and script for Maggie O’Farrell and Chloé Zhao. Other Oscar hopefuls that received notices in the international lead acting races ahead of Sunday’s BAFTA ceremony were Leonardo DiCaprio’s work as a former revolutionary in Paul Thomas Anderson’s “One Battle After Another” and Emma Stone, for her work as an executive who may or may not be an alien, in Yorgos Lanthimos’ “Bugonia.”

At the same time, Éanna Hardwicke took lead actor for “Saipan” while the double-nominated Kerry Condon prevailed with a supporting actress prize for Joseph Kosinski’s “F1.”

On the television side, “Blue Lights” won best TV drama, while Ailbhe Keogan won script for “Trespasses.” Anthony Boyle took lead actor in drama for “House of Guinness,” and Lola Petticrew won lead actress for “Trespasses.” Chris Walley won supporting actor for “The Young Offenders,” and Alison Oliver was named supporting actress for “Task.” Louisa Harland won the Rising Star Award.

“Christy” and “Saipan” led the nominations heading into the ceremony, with “Saipan” earning 12. The ceremony also marked a record number of women nominated in directing categories, with seven across film and TV.

This year, Ciarán Hinds is set to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award.

The list of winners is below.

Best Film

“Aontas”
“Blue Moon”
“Christy” (WINNER)
“Four Mothers”
“Saipan”
“Steve”

Director – Film

Lisa Barros D’Sa, Glenn Leyburn — “Saipan”
Brendan Canty — “Christy” (WINNER)
Myrid Carten — “A Want in Her”
Lorcan Finnegan — “The Surfer”
Ruán Magan — “Báite”
Edwin Mullane, Adam O’Keeffe — “Horseshoe”

Script – Film

Sarah Gordon, Damian McCann — “Aontas”
Maggie O’Farrell, Chloé Zhao — “Hamnet” (WINNER)
Alan O’Gorman — “Christy”
Sheena Lambert — “Báite”
Darren Thornton, Colin Thornton — “Four Mothers”
Enda Walsh — “Die My Love”

Lead Actor – Film

Steve Coogan — “Saipan”
Daniel Day-Lewis — “Anemone”
Colin Farrell — “Ballad of a Small Player”
Éanna Hardwicke — “Saipan” (WINNER)
Cillian Murphy — “Steve”
Daniel Power — “Christy”

Lead Actress – Film

Jessie Buckley — “Hamnet” (WINNER)
Carolyn Bracken — “Horseshoe”
Carrie Crowley — “Aontas”
Fionnula Flanagan — “Four Mothers”
Eleanor O’Brien — “Báite”
Fiona Shaw — “Hot Milk”

Supporting Actor – Film

Liam Cunningham — “Palestine 36”
Jamie Forde — “Christy”
Paul Mescal — “Hamnet” (WINNER)
Diarmuid Noyes — “Christy”
Seán T. Ó Meallaigh — “Aontas”
Andrew Scott — “Blue Moon”

Supporting Actress – Film

Brid Brennan — “Aontas”
Kerry Condon — “F1” (WINNER)
Kerry Condon — “Train Dreams”
Sarah Greene — “Trad”
Dearbhla Molloy — “Four Mothers”
Emma Willis — “Christy”

International Film

“Bugonia”
“Hamnet” (WINNER)
“One Battle After Another”
“Palestine ’36”
“Sentimental Value”
“Sinners”

International Actor

Leonardo DiCaprio — “One Battle After Another” (WINNER)
Ethan Hawke — “Blue Moon”
Michael B. Jordan — “Sinners”
James McArdle — “Four Mothers”
Sean Penn — “One Battle After Another”
Jesse Plemons — “Bugonia”

International Actress

Chase Infiniti — “One Battle After Another”
Jennifer Lawrence — “Die My Love”
Margaret Qualley — “Blue Moon”
Renate Reinsve — “Sentimental Value”
Emma Stone — “Bugonia” (WINNER)
Teyana Taylor — “One Battle After Another”

George Morrison Feature Documentary

“A Want in Her” (WINNER)
“The Essence of Eva”
“Listen To The Land Speak”
“Sanatorium”
“Testimony”
“Útoipe Cheilteach”

Rebbreast Short Film Award

“The Ban”
“No Mean City”
“No Time Wasters”
“Nostalgie” (WINNER)
“Punt”
“Three Keenings”

Animated Short

“Éiru”
“Inside, The Valley Sings”
“Rerooted”
“Retirement Plan” (WINNER)

Cinematography

“Bugonia” — Robbie Ryan
“Christy” — Colm Hogan
“Die My Love” — Seamus McGarvey (WINNER)
“Saipan” — Piers McGrail
“Severance” — Suzie Lavelle

Casting

“Christy” — Amy Rowan (WINNER)
“Four Mothers” — Louise Kiely
“The Rainmaker” — Emma Gunnery
“Ready Or Not” — Maureen Hughes
“Saipan” — Aine O’Sullivan

Costume Design

“Blue Moon” — Consolata Boyle (WINNER)
“Christy” — Hannah Bury
“Four Mothers” — Joan O’Cleary
“Saipan” — Lara Campbell
“Video Nasty” — Joanne O’Brien

Editing

“Blue Lights” — Helen Sheridan
“Christy” — Allyn Quigley (WINNER)
“House of Guinness” — Ben Yeates
“Saipan” — John Murphy, Gavin Buckley
“The Surfer” — Tony Cranstoun

Make-up & hair

“Blue Moon” — Linda Gannon, Liz Byrne
“Christy” — Jennie Readman, Edwina Kelly
“Saipan” — Polly McKay
“Trespasses” — Natalie Reid (WINNER)
“Wednesday” — Lynn Johnston

Original Music

“Aontas” — Daithí Ó Drónaí
“Báite” — Eimear Noone, Craig Stuart Garfinkle (WINNER)
“Christy” — Daithí Ó Drónaí
“Saipan” — David Holmes, Brian Irvine
“Video Nasty” — Die Hexen

Production Design

“Blue Moon” — Susie Cullen, Kevin Downey
“Christy” — Martin Goulding
“Saipan” — John Leslie
“Wednesday” — Philip Murphy, Neville Gaynor (WINNER)
“Video Nasty” — Tara O’Reilly

Sound

“Anemone” — Steve Fanagan (WINNER)
“Blue Moon” — Hugh Fox
“Saipan” — Tim Harrison, Andrew Graham, Paul Maynes
“The Surfer” — Aza Hand
“Video Nasty” — Patrick Downey

VFX

“Anemone” — Tom Fagan
“Foundation” — Ed Bruce, Andrew Barry
“House of Guinness” — Eoin O’Sullivan, David Sewell (WINNER)
“One Battle After Another” — Ed Bruce, Amrei Bronnenmayer

Television Categories

Best TV Drama

“Blue Lights” (WINNER)
“Leonard and Hungry Paul”
“Trespasses”
“The Walsh Sisters”
“Wednesday S2”
“The Young Offenders”

Director — Drama

Rachel Carey — “Obituary” (WINNER)
Megan K. Fox — “Video Nasty”
Oonagh Kearney — “The Au Pair”
Mia Mullarkey — “Hidden Assets”
Hugh O’Conor — “Showkids”
Aisling Walsh — “Miss Austen”

Script Drama

Peter Foott — “The Young Offenders”
Ailbhe Keogan — “Trespasses” (WINNER)
Declan Lawn, Adam Patterson — “Blue Lights”
Cara Loftus — “Hidden Assets”
Stefanie Preissner — “The Walsh Sisters”
Hugh Travers — “Video Nasty”

Lead Actor – Drama

Anthony Boyle — “House of Guinness” (WINNER)
Pierce Brosnan — “MobLand”
Domhnall Gleeson — “The Paper”
Martin McCann — “Blue Lights”
Aaron Monaghan — “Hidden Assets”
Alex Murphy — “The Young Offenders”

Lead Actress – Drama

Niamh Algar — “The Iris Affair”
Caitriona Balfe — “Outlander”
Siobhán Cullen — “Obituary”
Louisa Harland — “The Walsh Sisters”
Nora-Jane Noone — “Hidden Assets”
Lola Petticrew — “Trespasses” (WINNER)

Supporting Actor – Drama

Jack Gleeson — “House of Guinness”
Cal O’Driscoll — “Video Nasty”
Dónall Ó Héalai — “Hidden Assets”
Fionn O’Shea — “House of Guinness”
Aidan Quinn — “The Walsh Sisters”
Chris Walley — “The Young Offenders” (WINNER)

Supporting Actress – Drama

Cathy Belton — “Hidden Assets”
Ruth Bradley — “Slow Horses”
Katherine Devlin — “Blue Lights”
Danielle Galligan — “House of Guinness”
Alison Oliver — “Task” (WINNER)
Genevieve O’Reilly — “Andor”

Rising Star Award

Carolyn Bracken (Actor, “Horshoe,” “Oddity”)
Brendan Canty (Director, “Christy,” “Gealtra”)
Myrid Carten (Director, “A Want in Her”)
Louisa Harland (Actor, “The Walsh Sisters,” “Derry Girls”) (WINNER)

World

Potential US military strikes on Iran could target specific individuals, pursue regime change: report

Published

3 hours ago

February 21, 2026

Press Room

Potential US military strikes on Iran could target specific individuals, pursue regime change: report

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Potential U.S. military strikes on Iran could target specific individuals and even pursue regime change, a report said.

Two U.S. officials who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity reportedly said those are options that have emerged in the planning stage, if ordered by President Donald Trump. They did not say which individuals could be targeted, but Trump, notably, in 2020 ordered the U.S. military attack that killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ elite Quds Force.

Fox News Digital has reached out to the White House and the Department of War for comment.

Trump already said Friday that he is “considering” a limited military strike on Iran to pressure its leaders into a deal over its nuclear program, when asked by a reporter at the White House.

BUILT FOR WEEKS OF WAR: INSIDE THE FIREPOWER THE US HAS POSITIONED IN THE MIDDLE EAST

President Donald Trump speaks during a press briefing at the White House, on Friday, Feb. 20, 2026, in Washington. Trump said Friday he is “considering” a limited military strike on Iran. (Allison Robbert/AP)

Last week, when questioned if he wanted regime change in Iran, the president said, “Well it seems like that would be the best thing that could happen.”

Trump on Thursday suggested the window for a breakthrough is narrowing in talks with Iran, indicating Tehran has no more than “10, 15 days, pretty much maximum” to reach an agreement.

“We’re either going to get a deal, or it’s going to be unfortunate for them,” he said.

TRUMP GIVES IRAN 10-DAY ULTIMATUM, BUT EXPERTS SIGNAL TALKS MAY BE BUYING TIME FOR STRIKE

The USS Gerald R. Ford is heading to the Middle East as the U.S. is building up its military presence there, amid talks with Iran. (U.S Naval Forces Central Command / U.S. 6th Fleet / Handout via Reuters)

A Middle Eastern source with knowledge of the negotiations told Fox News Digital this week that Tehran understands how close the risk of war feels and is unlikely to deliberately provoke Trump at this stage.

However, the source said Iran cannot accept limitations on its short-range missile program, describing the issue as a firm red line set by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Iranian negotiators are not authorized to cross that boundary, and conceding on missiles would be viewed internally as equivalent to losing a war.

In 2020, the Pentagon said President Donald Trump ordered the U.S. military strike that killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani, left, in Iraq. (Getty Images)

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The source indicated there may be more flexibility about uranium enrichment parameters if sanctions relief is part of the equation.

Fox News’ Emma Bussey and Efrat Lachter contributed to this report.

Greg Norman is a reporter at Fox News Digital.

World

Iran demands ‘evidence’ as Trump, UN experts highlight protest killings

Published

4 hours ago

February 21, 2026

Press Room

Iran demands ‘evidence’ as Trump, UN experts highlight protest killings

Tehran, Iran – The Iranian government has again blamed “terrorists” for the killings of thousands during last month’s nationwide protests after United States President Donald Trump and human rights experts weighed in.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Saturday that the government has released a list of 3,117 people, whom he described as “victims of recent terrorist operation”, including about 200 security personnel.

‘Majority of those killed are ordinary people’

Mai Sato, United Nations special rapporteur on human rights in Iran, has said more than 20,000 civilians may have been killed, but information remains limited amid heavy internet filtering by the state, six weeks after a nationwide communications blackout was imposed.

The US-based HRANA says it has documented more than 7,000 people killed during the nationwide protests, and is investigating nearly 12,000 more cases.

Sato was among 30 special rapporteurs and international human rights experts who signed a joint statement on Friday calling on Iranian authorities to fully disclose the fate and whereabouts of tens of thousands arrested, forcibly disappeared or missing in the aftermath of the nationwide protests, and to halt all related death sentences and executions.

“The true scale of the violent crackdown on Iranian protesters remains impossible to determine at this point,” the experts said. “The discrepancy between official figures and grassroots estimates only deepens the anguish of families searching for their loved ones and displays a profound disregard for human rights and accountability.”

The international experts added that “the vast majority of those detained or killed are ordinary people, including children, from all provinces and diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds, as well as Afghan nationals”, in addition to lawyers representing protesters, medical professionals who treated the wounded, journalists and writers, artists and human rights defenders.

Iranian state media were accused of regularly broadcasting what the experts said are “widely regarded as forced confessions”.

The latest such incident came on Saturday, when the official Mizan news agency of the Iranian judiciary released footage from a court session for three men who said they regret setting fire to motorcycles, a mosque and copies of the Quran in Tehran during the unrest.

Also on Saturday, some students in Tehran and across the country returned to university campuses for the first time, as authorities kept universities closed and took some classes and exams online in the aftermath of the protests.

In Tehran’s Sharif University, one of the most prestigious in the country, students clashed after two separate demonstrations. Videos circulating online showed students shouting “dishonourables” at a group of paramilitary Basij students affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), who chanted back in favour of the establishment.

The clashes come amid a heightened security atmosphere in Iranian schools and university dormitories. Teachers and schools in a number of cities near the capital went on strike last week to protest the killing of at least 230 children and teenagers, as well as increased presence of security forces in classrooms.

Families dance in defiant grief

The Iranian government held mourning events on Tuesday and Wednesday in Tehran, with some officials in attendance.

Culture Minister Reza Salehi-Amiri announced on Saturday that the government has decided to call the upcoming ceremonies around Newroz, the new Iranian year starting in late March, an exercise in “unity and empathy” with the aim of “getting past the grief” of thousands killed.

But numerous families have been holding defiant commemoration events of their own over the past week to mark 40 days since the killing of their loved ones during the anti-establishment protests.

Footage from many ceremonies across the country this week showed family members, and large crowds gathered to support them, proudly holding up images of those killed and celebrating their shortened lives.

Many chose to clap, play traditional drums and cymbals, and even dance in symbolic shows of resistance and defiance that heavily clash with religious rituals favoured by the theocratic state.

“May your pen break, O fate, if you do not write about that which befell us,” the father of Abolfazl MirAeez, a 33-year-old killed in the city of Gorgan in the northern province of Golestan, told crowds gathered at a ceremony on Thursday.

“My son was neither a rioter, nor an embezzler nor an aghazadeh [child of an elite]. He was the son of a farmer.”