The loss of a powerful Catholic voice and John Lee's Zhejiang visit -- here are the stories that led the news in the city this week.

In today’s edition:

• Death of Pope Francis

   

• Zhejiang visit 

   

• Easter lesson

Death of Pope Francis

Hong Kong joined the world in mourning the death of Pope Francis, a reformist who boldly challenged the conservative forces of the Catholic Church with a humble confidence of purpose that will likely define his papacy as the most consequential in a century. 

While his months-long struggle with pneumonia had prepared the faithful for his passing, the death of Francis felt like losing a friend for followers around the world, including in the city.

“Things are a bit strange with the world right now. A lot of leaders are not spreading love, and we have lost one of the few who tried,” one mourner said at a service at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on Tuesday.

Under the pontiff, Beijing and the Holy See achieved a historic breakthrough in 2018 after decades of strained relations, signing a provisional agreement on the appointment of bishops in China. Cardinal Stephen Chow will join the conclave that will elect Francis’ successor.

Zhejiang visit

On the political front, city leader John Lee visited Zhejiang province to deepen cooperation with one of the country's tech powerhouses. The two sides confirmed they would collaborate on 51 projects covering 13 key cooperation areas including co-building the Belt and Road Initiative, trade and investment, finance and aviation. Lee also visited Ningbo and pledged that Hong Kong would prepare to provide mainland Chinese companies with supply chain services, helping them to access emerging markets and “break through” US trade barriers.

Easter lesson

Back in Hong Kong, businesses were once again hit with the lesson that holidays can no longer be relied upon for a major uptick in revenue. While Hongkongers made 2.46 million outbound trips during the Easter long weekend, a 7.8 per cent increase over 2024, the number of mainlanders arriving, though up over last year, was not enough to reverse the decline in patronage.

Lee's trip to Zhejiang was perhaps overdue. Hong Kong will thrive faster the sooner it integrates more fully with the rest of the country. But the increasingly porous border, and the outflowing tide of travel on weekends and holidays, only sets in stark relief the challenges we face in reshaping decades-old assumptions about the pillars of our economy.         

You can read about these stories and more at SCMP.com. Enjoy the weekend.

Politics

• Hong Kong, Zhejiang to boost links in 13 key areas including AI, smart cities

   

• Hong Kong supporting European business collaboration surge in Qianhai

   

• John Lee vows to support Hangzhou tech firms in expanding into Hong Kong

   

• Hong Kong’s John Lee in Hangzhou to boost tech and economic ties

   

• Hong Kong Democratic Party chief says no turning back on group’s dissolution

Society

• 74-strong committee set up to prepare for Hong Kong tycoon Lee Shau-kee funeral

   

• Call for regular review of Hong Kong labour scheme after ‘200 workers sacked’

   

• Nicholas Tse fans fume over obstructed views at Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Stadium

   

• Hong Kong’s Cinema Day tickets to go on sale for HK$30 each from May 7

   

• US-China trade war could hurt Hong Kong housing demand: think tank