Pope Francis' Death and Legacy Spark Global Response

Pope Francis has chosen to be buried in the Santa Maria Maggiore church in Rome, a site he frequently visited during his papacy. The church, one of Rome's four major basilicas, is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, to whom Francis was particularly devoted. Seven other popes are already buried there, and the church houses a relic of Jesus's crib and an icon of Mary that Francis would pray to before traveling. The decision was made after Francis told the basilica's senior priest that "the Virgin Mary has told me to prepare my tomb." The Pope's final resting place will be next to the icon of Mary, and his body will be taken there on Saturday after a farewell period.

US President Joe Biden is expected to attend Pope Francis' funeral on Saturday in Vatican City, according to sources, due to his close working and personal relationship with the late Pope dating back to 2015, while former President Barack Obama will not be attending; other world leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and French President Emmanuel Macron, are also expected to attend.

Bookmakers and crypto investors are speculating on who will be the next Pope after the death of Pope Francis, with Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin currently leading the betting odds. Other top contenders include Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle and Italian Cardinal Matteo Zuppi. The Catholic Church frowns upon excessive betting, but it has been a long-standing practice, with the "papal betting market" growing into a multi-million dollar global market. The outcome of the papal conclave, where 135 cardinal electors will gather to choose the next Pope, remains unpredictable. Crypto-powered websites like Polymarket have also joined the betting frenzy, with over $5.5 million in bets already placed on the outcome.

Pope Francis will be buried in the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, breaking with tradition as he is the first pontiff in over a century to be buried outside the Vatican. Francis requested a "simple" tomb in the basilica, a place he had a strong connection with and often visited during his papacy. The basilica, one of four papal basilicas, is known for its beautiful mosaics, gilded wood ceiling, and historic significance, and is where seven other popes are buried. Francis' decision reflects his preference for simplicity, as seen in his choice to live in a small apartment in the Vatican guesthouse instead of the official papal residence.

Cardinal Robert Sarah, a conservative African cardinal from Guinea, is being considered to replace Pope Francis. Sarah is viewed as a spiritual and theological standard-bearer for conservative Catholics. He has clashed with Francis on several occasions, including over the issue of priestly celibacy. Some of Sarah's notable quotes include: "The West no longer knows who it is, because it no longer knows and does not want to know who made it... The West refuses to acknowledge its Christian roots"; "Gender ideology is a Luciferian refusal to receive a sexual nature from God"; "All migrants who arrive in Europe are penniless, without work, without dignity... This is what the Church wants? The Church cannot cooperate with this new form of slavery that has become mass migration"; "Distraction is the devil’s tool for cutting man off from God"; and "The Church is not a human organization. She is not subject to the fashions of the day or the winds of doctrine. She must be faithful to Christ."

Pope Francis visited Knock, Ireland in 2018, where he received a warm welcome, including a kiss from Mary McCarthy, who broke protocol. He also received a Mayo Gaelic football jersey, signed it, and was hoped to lift the county's curse of not winning the All-Ireland Championship since 1951. The Pope met with local families, including Terry and Maureen Campbell, whose daughter Karen had Down's syndrome and passed away. He addressed the issue of clerical abuse but was jovial in his unscripted moments, leaving a lasting impression on the people of Knock.

Pope Francis, who died at 88, was a vocal advocate for the poor and marginalized throughout his papacy. He not only spoke about the importance of a "church of the poor" but also put his words into practice through various initiatives. The Vatican post office was converted into a free medical clinic for the homeless and undocumented migrants, and a shelter was opened in Vatican City to provide housing for around 50 people. Francis also visited the homeless, ate with them, and invited them to annual concerts at the Vatican. He was outspoken on prison conditions and visited inmates at Rome's Regina Coeli prison just last week. Some of his initiatives were met with resistance from within the Vatican administration, and there are concerns that his successor may not prioritize the same issues. Francis's commitment to charity and inclusivity was also reflected in his commissioning of artworks, including a sculpture depicting migrants and refugees, which was installed in St. Peter's Square.

Thousands gathered in St. Peter's Square to pay their respects to Pope Francis after his death, with mourners from diverse backgrounds and nationalities waiting in line for hours to catch a glimpse of his coffin. The atmosphere was more tranquil than mournful, with people chatting and praying together. A reporter for The New York Times, who is not religious, waited in line for 2.5 hours and was moved to bow her head and bid farewell to the pope, reflecting on the sense of community and shared humanity that brought people together despite their differences.

The New York Times News Quiz from April 25, 2025, covered various news topics, including the death of Pope Francis, whose birth name was Jorge Mario Bergoglio; President Trump's reaction to a Russian missile assault on Kyiv; the US government's request to break up a major tech company's monopoly, specifically Google; and other news stories about Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Harvard's response to Trump freezing $2 billion in grants, and the resignation of the executive producer of a news program. The quiz also touched on YouTube's 20th anniversary, the Texas state lottery scandal, and the NFL draft.

A nun, Sister Geneviève Jeanningros, was captured on video bidding a tearful farewell to Pope Francis, a longtime friend, as he lay in his coffin. The elderly nun, a member of the Little Sisters of Jesus, had become friends with the pontiff while he was serving as the bishop of Buenos Aires and had even chided him over the church's handling of her aunt's funeral, prompting a personal response from him.