Pope Francis is Dead. Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, said the Pope died at 7:35 am on Monday, April 21, 2025.
At 9:45 AM on Easter Monday, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, spoke these words at the Casa Santa Marta, “Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father.”
The Vatican mourned Francis as a person who dedicated his life to the Lord and the Catholic Church.
“His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of His Church. He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially in favor of the poorest and most marginalized,” he said.
Pope is Dead
The Vatican follows strict rules for announcing his death. This is a significant event that attracts changes in the Catholic church and the world.
Now that he has passed, a lengthy and thorough process is set to begin. That will include the official mourning that takes nine days called ‘Novemdiales’.
The planning of the funeral usually takes place at St. Peter’s Basilica, where preparations and specific protocols are observed.
St. Peter’s Basilica holds great significance to the Catholic Church. According to Catholic traditions, it is a burial site where Jesus’ apostles and the Bishop of Rome are buried.
Also Read: Pope Francis Hospitalized in Rome
The Selection Process
During this period of mourning, cardinals from around the world gather in Rome. They prepare for the conclave process that is intended to select the next successor.
The cardinals involved in the electing of the next pope comprised 252 members with 138 eligible voters, they should be under 80.
This process follows strict Catholic Rules and can take several days depending on how fast they can agree on a candidate.
The process paves the way for another process that involves a voting process in the Sistine Chapel.
Further, the cardinals are subjected to a secret ballot voting process that may take several rounds with a two-thirds majority requirement to elect a new successor.
If there is no candidate with the most votes after several rounds, the ballot papers are burned the process starts again until the successor is elected.
When the elections are over and a candidate has successfully won, the new pope is publicly announced at St. Peter’s Basilica.
The death and election of a new pope bring people of all faiths together.
Also Read: Pope Francis Diagnosed with Double Pneumonia
Possible Successors
The Papacy’s potential successors have a vast knowledge of what the Papacy entails and has served in the Catholic church.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin aged 70 is among possible successors. He is currently serving as the Vatican’s Secretary of State; he is fit to continue with Pope Francis’s policies.
In addition, Cardinal Luis Tagle is the prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples and the former Archbishop of Manila.
At the same time, Cardinal Peter Turkson is the former head of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace.
Cardinal Peter Erdo from Hungary who is known for opposing progressive changes in the church is also a potential successor for the Papacy position.
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