Pope Francis, the 266th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, passed away on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88. His passing marks the end of a historic 12-year papacy marked by humility, progressive reform, and an unrelenting commitment to social justice
A Peaceful Passing
It was officially declared by the Vatican that Pope Francis died at 7:35 a.m. local time at the Domus Sanctae Marthae residence. The cause of death was a cerebral stroke and irreversible heart failure.
He had been suffering from several health problems over the past few years, including respiratory infections, hypertension, and type II diabetes. His final public appearance was on Easter Sunday, when he delivered a message of peace and unity to the faithful in St. Peter's Square.
He had been suffering from several health problems over the past few years, including respiratory infections, hypertension, and type II diabetes. His final public appearance was on Easter Sunday, when he delivered a message of peace and unity to the faithful in St. Peter's Square.
Tributes and Global Mourning
The news of Pope Francis's passing unleashed a wave of tributes and grief from across the globe. Heads of state, religious leaders, and hundreds of faithful paid their respects, noting his immense influence. Memorial Masses were celebrated in his memory in Buenos Aires, with Archbishop Jorge Ignacio García Cuerva calling him "the Pope of the Poor."
At the Vatican, thousands of mourners poured into St. Peter's Basilica to pay their respects during his lying in state. The basilica was kept open through the night to manage the record throngs, and over 60,000 people have passed through since Tuesday.
A Modest Farewell
Respectfully adhering to his wish for a simple funeral, Pope Francis was laid in a plain wooden coffin, dressed in papal attire and holding a rosary. His funeral Mass is scheduled for Saturday, and 50 heads of state and 10 monarchs will be present. Uncharacteristically, he will be buried in the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome instead of in traditional Vatican burial grounds.
The Path to a New Papacy
The papacy now vacant, the College of Cardinals will make their way to the Sistine Chapel to conduct a conclave to elect the new pope. The vote is limited to cardinals under the age of 80, comprising 135 electors. The conclave will probably start in early May following the traditional nine-day mourning period. citeturn0search22
Possible Successors
Several cardinals have been promoted as potential successors to Pope Francis, each with his own thoughts and histories:
Cardinal Pietro Parolin (Italy, 70)
Called the "Asian Pope Francis," Tagle is left-leaning politically and has spoken out against the Church's treatment of LGBTQ+ people and divorced Catholics.
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle (Philippines, 67)
Known as the "Asian Pope Francis," Tagle is considered left-leaning politically and has been critical of the Church’s treatment of LGBTQ+ individuals and divorced Catholics.
Cardinal Matteo Zuppi (Italy, 69)
As president of the Italian Episcopal Conference, Zuppi has been a close ally of Pope Francis and a defender of many of his policies.
Cardinal Peter Turkson (Ghana, 76)
Turkson has a reputation for being a firm, socially conscious stand, weighing tradition against evolving attitudes toward homosexuality.
Cardinal Robert Sarah (Guinea, 79)
A conservative, Sarah has been a vocal defender of traditional Catholic teaching on sexual morality issues and the right to life.
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa (Italy, 60)
Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem since 2020, Pizzaballa is a Franciscan friar with extensive experience in the Holy Land.
Legacy and Future of the Church
Pope Francis's papacy has a lasting legacy of compassion, reform, and refocusing the mission of the Church to serve the marginalized. His efforts at things such as climate change, social inequality, and Church internal reforms have set an example for future leadership.
As the mourning period continues, the College of Cardinals is preparing for the conclave to elect the new pope, which will begin after May 5. As the Church transitions to the future, Pope Francis' vision and values will undoubtedly influence its path ahead.
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Pope Francis's life and ministry were marked by a profound commitment to humility, inclusivity, and social justice. His passing is a historic moment for the Catholic Church and for the world as we reflect on his legacy and the enduring impact of his leadership.
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