The death of Pope Francis impacted Globo's programming, leading to the postponement of its 60th-anniversary celebrations.
On Monday, April 21, 2025, the Jornal Nacional, presented by William Bonner, had to adjust its programming due to an unexpected event: the death of Pope Francis. The network had planned to start a special series to celebrate Globo's 60 years, but the news of the pontiff's passing altered those plans. Bonner explained that despite the advance planning for the celebration, the journalistic coverage of an event as significant as the death of Pope Francis required immediate changes.
The decision to postpone the special series was made to prioritize comprehensive coverage of this historical occurrence. The Vatican reported that Pope Francis passed away at the age of 88 due to a stroke followed by heart failure. This news affected not only the Catholic community but also the programming of various broadcasters around the world, including Globo. The death of Pope Francis was a fact that demanded immediate and detailed journalistic coverage, given its historical and religious significance. Globo, as one of Brazil's leading broadcasters, dedicated its programming to inform the public about the details of the event.
The special series celebrating Globo's 60th anniversary was initially set to feature a task force highlighting significant moments in the network's history over the decades. However, the death of Pope Francis led to the premiere of this series being postponed to the following day. William Bonner announced that the tribute to Globo's 60 years would begin on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. The decision to delay the celebration was seen as a way to respect the importance of the news event that dominated global headlines.
The public reacted with understanding to the decision to postpone the special series, recognizing the importance of journalistic coverage regarding Pope Francis's death. Globo's choice to prioritize the news of the pontiff's passing demonstrated its commitment to factual journalism and reporting on significant global events. On social media, many viewers expressed their support for the network's decision, highlighting the importance of informing the public about meaningful occurrences. The hashtag #TVGlobo60Anos was used to mark the new premiere date of the special series.
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, was the first Latin American pontiff and had a papacy marked by reforms and a closer connection with the faithful. His death represents a significant loss for the Catholic Church and millions of followers worldwide. His legacy includes efforts to modernize the Church and promote interfaith dialogue. His leadership was recognized for fostering peace and social justice, leaving an indelible mark on the history of the Catholic Church.
On Tuesday, April 22, 2025, Renata Vasconcellos presented the Jornal Nacional from the home of the Silva-Alves family in Salvador as part of Globo's 60th-anniversary celebrations. This action was originally supposed to occur on Monday, April 21, 2025, but was postponed due to the death of Pope Francis. The Portuguese first sighted the coast of Bahia 525 years ago on April 22.
Many viewers were surprised to see Vasconcellos presenting the "Jornal Nacional" not from the Globo Studios, but directly from the living room of a typical family in the Northeast. "I think it’s the first time the Jornal Nacional is live, being broadcast directly from a Brazilian family’s home," said the journalist. William Bonner emphasized the significance of the date, noting the historical coincidence of the Portuguese discovering Bahia's coast 525 years prior.
The series of tributes is expected to continue over the coming days, with the presenter visiting other homes in different regions of the country. "And this is where we will start our week of meetings with Brazilian families. I arrived early in the morning and was warmly welcomed by the Silva-Alves family. I would like to thank them for their kindness and hospitality; I’m quite emotional," said Renata Vasconcellos live.
Viewers tuning in to the Jornal Nacional at 8:30 PM on Tuesday were met with a unique sight: William Bonner seated alone in the Globo studios, while Renata Vasconcellos appeared in a different location within the home of the Silva-Alves family. The JN edition celebrated 60 years of TV Globo by “invading” the home of the Silva-Alves family, who reside in the Itapuã neighborhood of Salvador. "Sorry for the mess, Renata Vasconcellos isn’t here, but her chair is set up. I want to send a very special goodnight to Renata Vasconcellos and the Silva-Alves family, who opened their doors to the JN and to all Brazilians," said Bonner during the opening of the Jornal Nacional.
Renata mentioned that the surprise visit was originally planned for Monday but was postponed due to the special journalistic coverage of Pope Francis’s death. She stated that the visit to the Silva-Alves family was the first of several upcoming "invasions" during the 60th-anniversary celebration this week. "The plan was to reveal this surprise to you yesterday, but of course, that wasn’t possible because of the special news coverage about Pope Francis’s death. But today, I’m here ready to present the JN from the living room of Mr. Antônio and Mrs. Duca," said Renata.
In celebration of its 60 years, TV Globo broadcast the Jornal Nacional from the home of a family in Bahia, which generated mixed reactions among viewers, becoming a trending topic with memes and comparisons to the "Casos de Família" program. César Tralli reported live from the Vatican, covering the death of Pope Francis, adding to the significance of the broadcast.
The bold action by Globo may be seen as a nod to an audience that is changing its consumption habits and demands more human connection, even if some perceived it as emotional marketing. Regardless, the Jornal Nacional in the living room has entered Brazilian television history, whether for its symbolism, public reaction, or simply for transforming the news into something deserving of trending status—complete with memes and emotion reminiscent of "Casos de Família." Would you let Renata Vasconcellos present the JN from your sofa?
