April 2025 Archive — Patio Pulse Highlights

April served up big moments you should know about. From Wembley’s roar to key African club wins and a major papal milestone, this month’s posts focused on sport, faith and practical tips for fans. If you missed a story, this page sums up the essentials and points you to what to read next.

Sports roundup: big wins and fan guides

Crystal Palace beat Aston Villa 3-0 in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley. Ismaila Sarr and Eberechi Eze led the charge, and Palace reached their third FA Cup final in front of about 82,000 fans. That match mattered for the club’s first shot at a major trophy and for anyone tracking English cup history.

Across Africa, Simba SC grabbed a 1-0 first-leg win over Stellenbosch in the CAF Confederation Cup thanks to Jean Charles Ahoua’s goal. Simba’s win followed a tense penalty shootout victory over Al Masry, giving them momentum as the tournament moves toward its later rounds. If you follow African club competition, Simba’s run is one to watch.

On the club side and fantasy front, our roundup looked at Premier League Fantasy picks shaping the 2024/25 season. Goalkeeper Matz Sels stood out for clean sheets, while Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah kept delivering returns. Erling Haaland and Alexander Isak stayed top scoring options, and managers like Arne Slot and Nuno Espírito Santo influenced how players performed in real games and in FPL lineups.

Planning to catch NBA playoff action? We broke down how to score Lakers vs Timberwolves playoff tickets. Prices started near $170 and spiked for big games, but you can still find decent seats by using last-minute resale checks, price trackers and seat maps. We highlighted safe buying tips and tools that help you compare offers between Crypto.com Arena and Target Center.

Culture & context: Pope Francis and public conversation

One of April’s most talked-about pieces reflected on Pope Francis, who died on April 21, 2025. He changed how the papacy talks to people: informal, open and often direct. His phrase "Who am I to judge?" became shorthand for a more compassionate tone toward LGBTQ+ issues and for a wider, more welcoming public style.

Our coverage looked at how that informal approach reshaped Catholic discourse worldwide, pushing the Church toward dialogue and accessibility. The piece isn’t just about a figurehead; it’s about how leadership style changed conversations in parishes, media and diplomatic circles.

Want the full reads? Check each article for match reports, player analysis, ticket links and a deeper look at Francis’s legacy. Use this archive to catch up fast and bookmark pieces you want to revisit. If you want monthly roundups like this, follow Patio Pulse for short, useful recaps and direct links to every story from April 2025.