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Data Vis Dispatch, April 29: Pope Francis, public services, and Canadian elections

The best of last week’s big and small data visualizations
Portrait of Jonathan Dahle
Jonathan Dahle

Welcome back to the 190th edition of Data Vis Dispatch! Every week, we’ll be publishing a collection of the best small and large data visualizations we find, especially from news organizations — to celebrate data journalism, data visualization, simple charts, elaborate maps, and their creators.

Recurring topics this week include the death of Pope Francis, cost of public services, and Liberal victory in Canada.

Last week, on Easter Monday, Pope Francis died at the age of 88. We saw visualizations about the Catholic church and its history, and in particular about the cardinals who will elect his successor:

Nexo: <a href="https://www.nexojornal.com.br/grafico/2025/04/24/eleicao-papa-conclave-quem-faz-parte-cardeais"><strong>Qual a composição do grupo de cardeais que elegem o papa</strong></a><strong> </strong>[<em>What is the composition of the group of cardinals who elect the pope?</em>], April 24
Nexo: Qual a composição do grupo de cardeais que elegem o papa [What is the composition of the group of cardinals who elect the pope?], April 24
Der Spiegel: <a href="https://www.spiegel.de/ausland/konklave-in-der-sixtinischen-kapelle-so-wird-der-naechste-papst-gewaehlt-a-7207bbc4-6dbe-4aea-a51c-bbdfe2dfab8b"><strong>Schwarzer Rauch, weißer Rauch</strong></a> [<em>Chart title: Origin of the 135 cardinals eligible to vote for the 2025 conclave</em>], April 24
Der Spiegel: Schwarzer Rauch, weißer Rauch [Chart title: Origin of the 135 cardinals eligible to vote for the 2025 conclave], April 24
Diario Sur: <a href="https://www.diariosur.es/sociedad/francisco-creo-cardenales-elegiran-sucesor-20250423003004-ntrc.html"><strong>Francisco creó al 80% de los cardenales que elegirán a su sucesor</strong></a><strong> </strong>[<em>Francis appointed 80% of the cardinals who will elect his successor</em>], April 23
Diario Sur: Francisco creó al 80% de los cardenales que elegirán a su sucesor [Francis appointed 80% of the cardinals who will elect his successor], April 23
Die Zeit: <a href="https://www.zeit.de/politik/ausland/2025-04/konklave-kardinaele-wahl-papst-herkunft-katholische-kirche"><strong>134 Männer hinter verschlossenen Türen</strong></a><strong> </strong>[<em>134 men behind closed doors</em>], April 25
Die Zeit: 134 Männer hinter verschlossenen Türen [134 men behind closed doors], April 25
Diario Sur: <a href="https://www.diariosur.es/semana-santa/malaga-afronta-exitos-retos-semana-santa-expansion-20250425003420-nt.html"><strong>Málaga afronta los éxitos y retos de una Semana Santa en expansión</strong></a> [<em>Chart title: Visitors and economic impact of Holy Week in Malaga</em>], April 27
Diario Sur: Málaga afronta los éxitos y retos de una Semana Santa en expansión [Chart title: Visitors and economic impact of Holy Week in Malaga], April 27
The Economist: <a href="https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2025/04/17/searching-for-the-catholic-churchs-centre-of-gravity"><strong>Searching for the Catholic church’s centre of gravity</strong></a>, April 17
The Economist: Searching for the Catholic church’s centre of gravity, April 17
Axios: <a href="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/21/pope-francis-death-reign-length-history"><strong>Pope Francis' papacy ends: How long the 10 most recent popes reigned</strong></a>, April 21
Axios: Pope Francis' papacy ends: How long the 10 most recent popes reigned, April 21

Then this Monday came another big data vis event — elections in Canada. The Liberals, starting from behind, surged in the polls over the past few months and pulled off a narrow victory:

The New York Times: <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/04/28/world/canada/results-canada-federal-election.html"><strong>2025 Canada Federal Election Live Results: Liberals Win</strong></a>, April 28
The New York Times: 2025 Canada Federal Election Live Results: Liberals Win, April 28
Reuters: <a href="https://www.reuters.com/graphics/CANADA-POLITICS/POLLS/zdpxajmmlvx/"><strong>Liberals lead in the polls, but race has tightened</strong></a>, April 23
Reuters: Liberals lead in the polls, but race has tightened, April 23
Toronto Star: <a href="https://www.thestar.com/politics/federal/2025-federal-election-results/article_6ba67981-eff4-4bde-98f9-26c94fa46a36.html"><strong>Live election results: Follow riding results across Canada through our election map</strong></a>, April 28
Toronto Star: Live election results: Follow riding results across Canada through our election map, April 28
La Presse: <a href="https://www.lapresse.ca/elections-federales/resultats-2025"><strong>Résultats des élections fédérales 2025</strong></a>, April 29
La Presse: Résultats des élections fédérales 2025, April 29

Trump's threats to Canada's security and economy were a major issue in the campaign. These policies aren't popular among Americans either:

The New York Times: <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/25/us/politics/trump-poll-approval.html?unlocked_article_code=1.CU8.IMiR.FwKmDHp15UQ_&amp;smid=url-share"><strong>Voters See Trump’s Use of Power as Overreaching, Times/Siena Poll Finds</strong></a>, April 25
The New York Times: Voters See Trump’s Use of Power as Overreaching, Times/Siena Poll Finds, April 25
The New York Times: <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/polls/donald-trump-approval-rating-polls.html"><strong>President Trump’s Approval Rating: Latest Polls</strong></a>, April 28
The New York Times: President Trump’s Approval Rating: Latest Polls, April 28

The disruption to global trade can be seen... well, globally:

Der Spiegel: <a href="https://www.spiegel.de/wirtschaft/handelskrieg-mit-den-usa-wohin-china-jetzt-seine-ueberschuessigen-waren-schicken-koennte-a-96b3a1dc-b7bd-4d25-aa60-726d9a8352f3"><strong>Welche Waren China jetzt nach Deutschland umleiten könnte</strong></a><strong> </strong>[<em>Chart title: How many of 60 product groups were diverted from China during Trump's first term in 2019</em>], April 22
Der Spiegel: Welche Waren China jetzt nach Deutschland umleiten könnte [Chart title: How many of 60 product groups were diverted from China during Trump's first term in 2019], April 22
Financial Times: <a href="https://ig.ft.com/us-iphone/"><strong>Why Trump can’t build iPhones in the US</strong></a>, April 28
Financial Times: Why Trump can’t build iPhones in the US, April 28
The Economist: <a href="https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2025/04/25/did-international-trade-really-kill-american-manufacturing"><strong>Did international trade really kill American manufacturing?</strong></a>, April 25
The Economist: Did international trade really kill American manufacturing?, April 25
Diario Sur: <a href="https://www.diariosur.es/economia/huevos-caros-decada-seguiran-alza-falta-gallinas-20250427005238-ntrc.html"><strong>Los huevos más caros de la década seguirán al alza por la falta de gallinas en EE UU</strong></a><strong> </strong>[<em>Chart title: Year-on-year change in egg prices by EU countries in March</em>], April 27
Diario Sur: Los huevos más caros de la década seguirán al alza por la falta de gallinas en EE UU [Chart title: Year-on-year change in egg prices by EU countries in March], April 27
Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung: <a href="https://www.faz.net/aktuell/wirtschaft/schneller-schlau/schneller-schlau-wie-lego-immer-hoeher-stapelt-110427325.html"><strong>Das Erfolgsgeheimnis von Lego</strong></a><strong> </strong>[<em>Chart title: Strong bricks, weak dolls</em>]<strong>, </strong>April 23
Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung: Das Erfolgsgeheimnis von Lego [Chart title: Strong bricks, weak dolls], April 23
Ember: <a href="https://ember-energy.org/latest-insights/uk-biomass-phase-out-is-now-in-sight/"><strong>UK biomass phase-out is now in sight</strong></a>, April 16
Ember: UK biomass phase-out is now in sight, April 16
Rest of World: <a href="https://restofworld.org/2025/big-tech-ai-labor-supply-chain-african-workers/"><strong>How Big Tech hides its outsourced African workforce</strong></a>, April 21
Rest of World: How Big Tech hides its outsourced African workforce, April 21
South China Morning Post: <a href="https://multimedia.scmp.com/infographics/news/hong-kong/article/3307617/ckh-port/index.html"><strong>In hot water: CK Hutchison’s ports deal risks being dunked</strong></a>, April 24
South China Morning Post: In hot water: CK Hutchison’s ports deal risks being dunked, April 24

After two months of ceasefire this winter, Gazans are once again suffering under Israeli bombardment and a blockade on humanitarian aid:

Reuters: <a href="https://www.reuters.com/graphics/ISRAEL-PALESTINIANS/GAZA-ORDNANCE/byvrxbenwve/"><strong>Gazans survive among unexploded bombs</strong></a>, April 17
Reuters: Gazans survive among unexploded bombs, April 17

These charts take a look at the cost of public services — and what we're actually getting for our money:

Texty: <a href="https://texty.org.ua/projects/114510/derzhavna-nerivnist-skilky-naspravdi-platyat-chynovnykam/?src=main"><strong>Державна нерівність: скільки насправді платять чиновникам</strong></a> [<em>State inequality: how much are officials actually paid?</em>], April 17
Texty: Державна нерівність: скільки насправді платять чиновникам [State inequality: how much are officials actually paid?], April 17
Der Spiegel: <a href="https://www.spiegel.de/panorama/gesellschaft/strassen-schulen-klimaschutz-verteidigung-so-teuer-wird-die-sanierung-deutschlands-a-06fc2ef4-c978-4d58-a322-d45619f3e390"><strong>So teuer wird die Sanierung Deutschlands</strong></a><strong> </strong>[<em>This is how expensive Germany's renovation will be</em>], April 24
Der Spiegel: So teuer wird die Sanierung Deutschlands [This is how expensive Germany's renovation will be], April 24
The Washington Post: Which cities have the most trees? See how yours stacks up, April 23
Blomberg: <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2025-college-cost-middle-class-squeeze/"><strong>Top Colleges Are Too Costly Even for Parents Making $300,000</strong></a>, April 25
Blomberg: Top Colleges Are Too Costly Even for Parents Making $300,000, April 25
Nightingale: <a href="https://students-overclaim.netlify.app/"><strong>Do students around the world think they know more than they do?</strong></a>, April 24
Nightingale: Do students around the world think they know more than they do?, April 24

Let's end by relaxing with some music and wine:

The Pudding: <a href="https://pudding.cool/2025/04/wine-animals/"><strong>Wine Animals</strong></a>, April 16
The Pudding: Wine Animals, April 16
Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung: <a href="https://www.faz.net/aktuell/wirtschaft/schneller-schlau/f-a-z-serie-schneller-schlau-der-hoerfunk-laesst-das-klassische-radiogeraet-hinter-sich-110415649.html"><strong>Der Hörfunk lässt das klassische Radiogerät hinter sich</strong></a><strong> </strong>[<em>Chart title: This is how much music is played on public radio stations</em>], April 15
Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung: Der Hörfunk lässt das klassische Radiogerät hinter sich [Chart title: This is how much music is played on public radio stations], April 15

What else we found interesting

The New York Times: <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/04/27/world/asia/china-products-us-tariffs-trump.html"><strong>Your Home Without China</strong></a>, April 27
The New York Times: Your Home Without China, April 27
Chartography: <a href="https://www.chartography.net/p/getting-lost-in-zuantu"><strong>Getting lost in Zuantu</strong></a>, April 23
Chartography: Getting lost in Zuantu, April 23

Help us make this dispatch better! We’d love to hear which newsletters, blogs, or social media accounts we need to follow to learn about interesting projects, especially from less-covered parts of the world (Asia, South America, Africa). Write us at hello@datawrapper.de or leave a comment below. Want the Dispatch in your inbox every Tuesday? Sign up for our Blog Update newsletter!

Portrait of Jonathan Dahle

Jonathan Dahle (he/him) is a working student on Datawrapper’s communications team. When he’s not supporting his colleagues, you can find him exploring Berlin, enjoying the outdoors, or creating audiovisual and 3D art. Besides working at Datawrapper, Jonathan is a design student and freelance photographer.

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