Pope Francis Dies, Leaving Complex Legacy

Pope Francis' funeral is expected to be more modest than past papal funerals due to changes he made to the Catholic Church's papal funeral rites. The changes, approved by Francis in 2023, aim to emphasize the pope's role as a "shepherd and disciple of Christ" rather than a powerful figure. The new rites eliminate certain traditional practices, such as displaying the pope's body on an elevated frame, using three coffins, and referencing the pope by his past titles. Instead, Francis will be laid directly into an open coffin, and officials will primarily use Latin terms such as "pope," "bishop," or "pastor" during the ceremony. The changes also allow for future popes to be buried outside the Vatican, and Francis has chosen to be buried at Santa Maria Maggiore basilica in Rome.

Pope Francis died on Monday after making a surprise appearance on Easter Sunday, blessing 35,000 people in St Peter's Square despite being advised by doctors to rest after 38 days in hospital with double pneumonia. The Pope's final public appearance was met with a mixture of cheers and silence as he struggled to speak, his voice heavy with effort. In the days leading up to Easter, Francis had continued to meet with visitors and carry out public duties, including a visit to a Rome jail on Holy Thursday, against medical advice. He died early on Monday at his residence, Casa Santa Marta, due to a stroke and irreversible heart failure.

Pope Francis was known for his messages of inclusion and compassion, and during his 12-year papacy, he had several heartwarming and memorable moments. Some of these include allowing children to walk up to the altar during Mass, inviting a 12-year-old cancer survivor with Down syndrome to ride on the popemobile, and performing tricks with the Harlem Globetrotters. He also met with circus performers from Cuba, petted a tiger, and blessed the eyes of a child going blind. Additionally, he signed a Harley-Davidson for a Christian motorcycle group, visited children in the hospital, shared his 87th birthday cake with children, and met a young man who dressed as Spider-Man to visit children in the hospital.

Pope Francis was a divisive figure known as the "People's Pope" for his populist approach to leading the Catholic Church. He sought to bring the Church closer to the people, emphasizing a poorer Church "for the poor." Francis was known for his informal style, often speaking extemporaneously and making gestures like taking trips to ordinary stores. His papacy was marked by controversy, particularly among conservatives, due to his loose attitude toward tradition and bold moves on issues like same-sex couple blessings. He faced criticism from conservative Catholics in America, particularly regarding his approach to abortion, which he wanted to put on an equal plane with social and environmental issues. Francis' record on tackling sexual abuse within the clergy was mixed, and he faced embarrassment in Chile for supporting a bishop accused of covering up abuse. Despite this, he was charismatic and approachable, particularly with children and those on the margins of society. His legacy is complex, marked by both significant changes and ongoing challenges within the Church.

Pope Francis died on Monday at 88 due to a cerebral stroke, coma, and subsequent irreversible heart failure, according to the Vatican. He had a history of health issues, including respiratory problems, knee injuries, and intestinal issues, and was hospitalized for five weeks earlier this year with double pneumonia. The pope's health had been declining, with multiple hospitalizations and health scares in recent years, including a critical incident in February where he came close to dying after inhaling his own vomit during a coughing fit.

Pope Francis' funeral rites will take place in three parts. The first station involves the preparation of the body in the pope's private chapel, where the camerlengo will formally declare the pope's death by calling him by his baptismal name, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, and deface his ring to prevent its use. The body will then be dressed in simple white and red vestments and placed in a plain wooden coffin for the second station, a public viewing at St. Peter's Basilica, where it will lie in an open casket to emphasize the pope's humble role. After the viewing, a funeral Mass will be held at St. Peter's, followed by the third station, a private burial procession to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, as per Francis' wishes, where he will be laid to rest in a single oak coffin.

Pope Francis, the leader of the Catholic Church who challenged deeply rooted norms and changed the perception of the Church worldwide, died at 88. He passed away on Monday after suffering a stroke that led to a coma and irreversible heart failure. The pontiff had experienced various health issues, including abdominal surgeries and respiratory infections, in recent years. Elected in 2013, Pope Francis broke with tradition by asking for blessings from the crowd instead of giving them, and he made it his mission to make the Church more inclusive and humble. He reformed the Church's administration, spoke out on climate change, and reached out to marginalized communities. Despite facing criticism for his handling of clerical sex abuse scandals, he implemented new laws and reporting processes. Born in Argentina to Italian immigrant parents, Pope Francis was known for his simple style and his phrase "Who am I to judge?" regarding LGBTQ rights, though the Church's teachings on the matter remained unchanged.

Pope Francis had written a last will and testament dated June 29, 2022, detailing his wishes for his burial. He requested to be interred in the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, a church dedicated to the Virgin Mary, where he often prayed after his trips abroad. He asked for a simple tomb in the earth with only his name "Franciscus" inscribed on it, without any reference to his papacy. The Pope also offered his suffering in his final days for peace in the world and brotherhood among peoples, and expressed his hope that those who loved him would be rewarded by the Lord.

Pope Francis, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church, died on Monday at the age of 88 after experiencing health issues, including bronchitis and pneumonia. Cardinal Kevin Farrell announced the pope's death, stating that Francis "returned to the Father's house" at 7:35 am, and praised his dedication to serving the Lord and the Church, as well as his commitment to the values of the Gospel.

Pope Francis made his final public appearance on Easter Sunday before his death on Monday morning, celebrating Easter in St. Peter's Basilica and appearing in St. Peter's Square despite struggling to speak for long periods and being under doctor's orders to rest. He used an aide to deliver a message condemning policies that marginalize vulnerable groups and called for peace in Ukraine and Gaza, before riding in his popemobile and blessing babies. Francis had been returning to work slowly after a hospital stay for pneumonia, and according to an aide, he continued to work against doctor's orders because he wanted "to die on the battlefield."

After Pope Francis' death, a centuries-old process will unfold. The Cardinal Camerlengo will pronounce the pope dead and break his Fisherman's ring to symbolize the end of his pontificate. The pope's body will lie in state in St. Peter's Basilica, and a nine-day mourning period, Novemdiales, will begin. The funeral will take place four to six days later, likely in St. Peter's Square, where the coffin will be carried through the "door of death" and buried. During the nine-day mourning period, cardinals will gather in Rome and meet in "General Congregations" to discuss their visions for the church. Between 15 and 20 days after the pope's death, the Cardinal Electors will isolate themselves in the Sistine Chapel for a conclave to elect the next pope, voting until a candidate emerges with a two-thirds-plus-one majority.

The process to pick a new pope will begin soon as Pope Francis has passed away. The Catholic Church's Cardinal Electors, around 135 cardinals under 80, will hold a secretive election in early to mid-May to choose the next pope. Some top contenders include: Cardinal Peter Erdo of Hungary, known for his balanced approach on migration and traditionalist views; Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo of the Democratic Republic of Congo, a supporter of orthodoxy and social justice; Cardinal Mario Grech, a canon lawyer who has influenced synod governance; Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's secretary of state and a moderate; Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa of Jerusalem, a proponent of social justice; Cardinal Luis Tagle of the Philippines, known as the "Asian Francis" for his missionary spirit; Cardinal Matteo Zuppi of Italy, a "street priest" who wants a more modern church; Cardinal Anders Arborelius of Sweden, a traditionalist on sexual ethics; and Cardinal Gerald Cyprien Lacroix of Canada, who has experience as a missionary and seminary professor.

The next pope's election is uncertain, despite some potential candidates, as the saying "He who enters the conclave as pope, leaves it as a cardinal" suggests that frontrunners often don't win. Pope Francis' reforms have made the cardinal electors more representative of the global church, making it harder to predict the outcome. The new pope will need to have the skills, experience, and personality to lead the church and offer moral leadership globally. Factors such as the church's priorities, the profile of the next pope, and whether to continue Francis' reforms will be considered. Some potential candidates, known as "papabile," have been identified, mostly appointed by Pope Francis. The age of the next pope is also a consideration, with recent conclaves opting for older popes.

Pope Francis had revealed his burial wishes just days after becoming pope in 2013, selecting the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore as his final resting place due to its significance to his grandparents, who immigrated to Argentina from Italy. The basilica held personal importance to Pope Francis, who often visited it before traveling and appeared there publicly as pope for the first time in 2013.

Pope Francis' will, released after his death, reveals his simple burial request. He asked to be buried in the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, in the earth, without special decorum, and with only his name "Franciscus" on the tombstone. The will, written in June 2022, also specifies that his burial expenses should be covered by a benefactor he had arranged. Francis, 88, died on April 21, 2025, due to a cerebral stroke that led to heart failure, with underlying health issues including bilateral pneumonia, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension.

Pope Francis restricted the Traditional Latin Mass due to concerns that its use was leading to division in the Church and being used in an "ideological way" in reaction to modernity. The Latin Mass, formalized by Pope St. Pius V in 1570, differs from the Vatican II mass in that it is said entirely in Latin and the priest faces "ad orientem." Francis issued several instructions limiting the Latin Mass, requiring priests to seek approval from local bishops and the Vatican, and barring newly ordained priests from saying it. He stated that his predecessor's allowances were being used "to go backward" and that the restriction was necessary to stop a "nostalgic disease" and "indietrismo, the reaction against the modern." However, specific orders like the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter were exempt from the restrictions.

Pope Francis, who has died at 88, was a champion of the deprived and a defender of those fleeing war and hunger, earning him the title of "the people's pope". He was a pope of firsts, being the first Latin American pontiff, the first Jesuit pope, and the first to choose the name Francis. He showed a willingness to welcome those shunned by the Catholic faith and was known for his humility and sense of humour. However, he faced huge criticism from conservatives within the church and others who questioned his liberal credentials. Throughout his papacy, he was outspoken on issues such as climate change and the balance of wealth, and made efforts to build bridges between different communities, including signing a landmark document on human fraternity with the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar. He also made unprecedented comments on the LGBTQ community, saying that gay clergy should not be judged, and later declaring that homosexuality was not a crime. However, some felt betrayed by his later actions, including the dilution of a declaration allowing clerical blessings for same-sex couples and his reiteration of the Vatican's opposition to certain issues. Despite this, his legacy remains complex, with some praising his commitment to interfaith dialogue and others criticising his handling of certain issues, including abuse within the church and his stance on women's involvement.

Pope Francis died from a cerebral stroke that led to a coma and irreversible heart failure, according to the Vatican. The 88-year-old pontiff had suffered from health issues, including a chronic lung disease, and was hospitalized for 38 days before his death. He had requested a simple burial "in the ground, without particular ornamentation" with the inscription "Franciscus" in Rome's Basilica of Saint Mary Major. Tributes have poured in from around the world, with world leaders praising his humble style and concern for the poor. A funeral is expected to take place between Friday and Sunday, although a date has not been set.

Pope Francis has released his final testament outlining his burial wishes, asking to be buried "in the ground, without particular ornamentation" with the inscription "Franciscus" in the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major, a site he held dear due to its association with the Virgin Mary. The Pope, who died at 88, specified that his tomb should be simple and in a burial niche between the Pauline Chapel and the Sforza Chapel, and that the cost of preparation should be covered by a benefactor.

The death of a Pope triggers a series of events. The Camerlengo confirms the Pope's death, locks the papal apartments, and breaks the Pope's signet ring and seal. The news is announced to the public and the College of Cardinals. The Pope is buried between 4-6 days after death, likely at Rome's Basilica of St Mary Major as per his wishes. Between 15-20 days after death, cardinals gather for a conclave to elect a new Pope, with only those under 80 eligible to vote. The new Pope is elected through a series of ballots, with white smoke signaling a successful election. The dean of cardinals asks the new Pope if he accepts, and he chooses a name. The new Pope is then proclaimed to the public with the phrase "Habemus papa" ("We have a pope").

Following Pope Francis's death, the papal conclave will elect a new pope. Some of the contenders include Pietro Parolin, 70, the Vatican's secretary of state, who is considered the frontrunner if the next pope is Italian. Other possible candidates are Matteo Zuppi, 69, the president of the Episcopal Conference of Italy; Jose Tolentino de Mendonca, 59, the prefect of the Dicastery for Culture and Education; Peter Erdo, 72, a Hungarian cardinal; Cristobal Lopez Romero, 72, the Spanish Archbishop of Rabat; and Pierbattista Pizzaballa, 59, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem. The new pope will be elected by 137 cardinals below the age of 80 who will attend the papal conclave in the Vatican's Sistine Chapel.

Pope Francis died at 88, and cardinals have begun gathering in Rome to plan his funeral and choose his successor. Francis had requested a simple funeral and burial in a single coffin, contrary to tradition. The cardinals will decide when to move his remains to St. Peter's Basilica for viewing before the funeral, which is expected to be attended by global leaders, including President Trump. The conclave to choose the next pope will occur after the funeral, with 135 cardinals under 80 participating. The new pope's selection will shape the future of the 1.3 billion-strong Roman Catholic Church, with conservatives and liberals holding different expectations for the direction of the church.

After a pope dies, the Catholic Church chooses its next leader through a process called the "papal conclave," where the church's top bishops, known as the College of Cardinals, gather to elect a new pope. The conclave is held in the Vatican's Sistine Chapel, and cardinals under 80 are eligible to vote, with a maximum of 120 cardinal electors. The cardinals are kept in isolation to avoid outside influence, and they cast secret ballots until a two-thirds majority is reached. The process typically begins with a Mass in St. Peter's Basilica, and the cardinals vote at least twice a day until a pope is selected. The ballots are burned after each vote, with black smoke indicating no decision and white smoke signaling the election of a new pope, who is then announced with the phrase "Habemus papam!" or "We have a pope."

When a pope dies or resigns, the Catholic Church enters a period called "sede vacante," or "empty seat." The late pope's ring and seal are broken, and a cardinal, known as the camerlengo, becomes interim chief. The cardinals then gather for a conclave in the Sistine Chapel, where they are isolated from the outside world and vote until a new pope is chosen. Only cardinals under 80 can participate, and they hold two daily voting sessions until one candidate has a two-thirds majority. The outcome is signaled by smoke from the Sistine Chapel: black for no decision, white for a new pope. Once a pope is elected, he is asked to choose a name, and the senior cardinal deacon announces his election to the public with the Latin phrase "Habemus Papam" (We have a pope). The new pope then appears on the balcony of St Peter's Basilica to deliver his first public greeting and bless the crowds.

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