Death of Pope Francis
- Natasha L
- Apr 21
- 2 min read
Who Are We Talking About Today?
Pope Francis (Jorge Mario Bergoglio)
What Happened?
Pope Francis, the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church, passed away at the age of 88 on Monday at 7:35 a.m. The cause of death was reported as irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse, according to Dr. Andrea Arcangeli, head of the Vatican’s health department. He died at the Casa Santa Marta guesthouse, his long-time residence within Vatican City.
Contributing Health Factors
In recent years, Pope Francis had suffered from respiratory insufficiency and had previously been treated for pneumonia. He also lived with type 2 diabetes and hypertension, conditions that likely contributed to his declining health. Despite these challenges, he remained active in his role, most recently making a public appearance on Easter Sunday at St. Peter’s Square, where he delivered a message of peace and hope and was seen riding through the Piazza in the popemobile.
Legacy and Papacy
Pope Francis served as the head of the Roman Catholic Church for 12 years, having been elected in 2013 following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. He was the first pope from the Americas, the first Jesuit pope, and the first non-European pope in over 1,200 years. Often called the “People’s Pope,” he was widely admired for his humility, progressive stance on social issues, and dedication to advocating for the poor, immigrants, and other marginalized groups.
Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1936, Pope Francis was the eldest of five children. Before joining the seminary in his early 20s, he worked various jobs—including as a nightclub bouncer and janitor—before eventually entering the Society of Jesus.
Current Vatican Proceedings
With Pope Francis’s passing, Cardinal Kevin Farrell has been appointed as the Vatican’s interim administrator until a new pope is elected. Vatican officials have sealed the doors of the Apostolic Palace with red ribbon and a wax seal in a traditional ritual known as "Sede Vacante," symbolizing the end of the pope’s reign and the beginning of the conclave process.
A public viewing of Pope Francis may begin as early as Wednesday, although a formal funeral date has not yet been set. Per Vatican protocol, a new pope will be chosen within 15 to 20 days by the College of Cardinals, who will gather in the Sistine Chapel. A pope is elected by a two-thirds majority vote, and the decision is signaled by the famous white smoke rising from the chapel’s chimney.
In Popular Culture
The process of selecting a new pope was recently depicted in the 2024 Oscar-winning film Conclave, starring Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, and Isabella Rossellini. The film, based on the novel by Robert Harris, explores the drama and secrecy behind the Vatican’s papal elections.
Global Reactions
Former President Donald Trump and Melania Trump have announced plans to attend Pope Francis’s funeral. Meanwhile, on Tuesday at noon, the Archbishop of New York will lead a memorial Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral to honor the late pope’s legacy.
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