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WORLD Czech PM: Pope’s funeral shows global respect
Pope Francis’ funeral reflected his global popularity, Czech PM Petr Fiala said Saturday. Speaking after the Vatican ceremony, Fiala noted the presence of about 150 foreign delegations as a sign of the late Pope’s influence. He praised Francis' efforts to reach out to the marginalized and recalled meeting him in 2022. Pope Francis died Monday at 88 and was buried today after a mass attended by about 250,000 people.
HISTORY Brno honors fallen soldiers on WWII anniversary
About 100 people gathered Saturday at Brno’s Central Cemetery to honor those who died during the city's liberation in 1945. Officials and the public laid flowers at memorials to Czech, Romanian, and Soviet soldiers. The ceremony included the Czech anthem, a gun salute, and a Romanian-language service. Other events marking the 80th anniversary include historical reenactments and a special lighting of Špilberk Castle.
ENVIRONMENT Locals protest Krivoklát National Park
About 170 people protested Saturday in Roztoky u Křivoklátu against the planned Křivoklát National Park, citing concerns over future restrictions and mass tourism. Local mayors, representing 29 municipalities, organized the protest. A petition with 3,382 signatures was submitted to the Senate, following an earlier petition signed by over 11,300 people. The proposed park would cover 105 square kilometers and become the country’s fifth national park.
POLITICS STAN to elect new leaders in May
The Mayors and Independents (STAN) party will elect new leadership at a May 17 congress in Prague, ahead of autumn parliamentary elections. Interior Minister Vít Rakušan will seek re-election as chairman, aiming to steer the liberal centrist party further. Other current leaders also plan to defend their posts. The congress will also present regional candidates and discuss proposed changes to the party’s statutes.
RELIGION Czechs honor late Pope Francis at cathedral mass
Mourners filled Prague’s St. Vitus Cathedral on Friday for a memorial mass honoring Pope Francis, who died April 21 at age 88. Apostolic Nuncio Jude Thaddeus Okolo led the service, attended by President Petr Pavel and religious leaders. The Czech Episcopal Conference urged prayers ahead of the papal election. Pope Francis, praised for his humility and courage, died of a stroke and will be buried Saturday at the Vatican.
CULTURE National food drive begins in Czech stores
A national food collection drive will take place in supermarkets and other stores across the Czech Republic today from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The donations will support seniors, families in crisis, homeless individuals, and people with disabilities. Over 2,500 stores are participating, up from 2,100 last year. People can also donate online through selected e-shops until May 6.
CULTURE Pro-life protest to march through Prague
Prague’s annual March for Life, organized by Hnutí pro život, is set to begin at 11:30 a.m. today with a mass for unborn children at St. Vitus Cathedral. The march will start at 2 p.m., following a rally at Hradčanské náměstí, heading across Charles Bridge and Wenceslas Square. Pro-choice advocates plan to peacefully block the march at Jungmannovo náměstí starting at 1 p.m.
ECONOMY Bank stocks lift Prague Stock Exchange
The Prague Stock Exchange rose for the third consecutive day on Friday, with the PX index increasing by .33 percent to 2082.13 points. Bank stocks led the gains, notably Moneta Money Bank, whose shares rose nearly 2 percent following a 14 percent increase in Q1 profits. However, declines in shares of ČEZ and Philip Morris limited the overall growth. The Czech crown weakened slightly against major foreign currencies.
SPORTS Czechia tops Slovakia 2–1 in hockey warm-up
Czechia edged Slovakia 2–1 in an international ice hockey friendly Thursday in Ostrava, part of their final preparations for the upcoming IIHF World Championship. Goals by Filip Zadina and Michal Špaček secured the win, with Špaček also assisting on the opener. Slovakia tied the score briefly in the second period with a goal by Maxim Čajkovič. The teams will meet again next Friday for the final training match ahead of the championship, which begins on May 9 in Sweden and Denmark.
MEDIA Czech TV Council to meet on director's dismissal
The Czech Television Council will convene an extraordinary meeting on May 6 to discuss the potential dismissal of Director General Jan Souček. A third of councilors support the motion, citing dissatisfaction with Souček's leadership, including issues with severance pay and public communication. Souček has defended his tenure and resists resignation, citing stability ahead of this year's parliamentary elections.
Legal Court annuls SOCDEM verdict over legal fees
An appeals court has annulled a ruling that required Czech party SOCDEM to pay over CZK 300 million to heirs of lawyer Zdeněk Altner. The case, involving legal services from the 1990s, has lasted 25 years. The court returned the case for review, citing inconsistencies in previous decisions. SOCDEM welcomed the verdict, while Altner’s heirs criticized the ruling as formalistic and unfair.
