Pope Francis has passed away: a day of mourning and the election of a new pontiff
8 may 2025 в 22:13
The death of Pope Francis caused a day of mourning on April 21, 2025, and his funeral on April 26. The deceased pontiff passed away just a few hours after delivering his annual Easter prayer and meeting with American Vice President Jay D. Vance on the holiday. Cardinal Kevin Farrell announced the pope’s death in a statement published by the Vatican. He said, «This morning at 7:35, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the Father’s house. He taught us to live by the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially for the poorest and most marginalized».
While Italy mourned, the question of who would replace him became relevant. Now that the conclave has concluded, all eyes are on the Vatican, which signaled that a new pope was elected on May 8, 2025. Below you will find updates on how the Vatican is moving forward after the death of Francis and who was chosen as the next leader of the Catholic Church.
Francis was 88 years old when he died.
According to the death certificate of Francis, the cause of his death was a cerebral stroke, coma, and irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse, as well as a «preceding episode of acute respiratory failure in bilateral multibacterial pneumonia, multiple bronchiectasis, arterial hypertension, and type 2 diabetes». A cerebral stroke is a loss of blood flow to the brain, and irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse means that he experienced a sudden failure of the heart to maintain blood flow, according to ABC News.
Francis died after battling a number of illnesses, most of which were related to respiratory problems. In his 20s, the pope had part of one of his lungs removed. Years later, in 2023, he received medical treatment for bronchitis, and then again in early 2025 when he was diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia.
Throughout the remainder of his life, Francis also underwent surgery on his intestine, having part of his colon removed to manage diverticulitis (a condition causing inflammation in the colon), and walked with a cane and used a wheelchair due to knee problems.
Shortly before the pope’s death, funeral arrangements were made. Francis approved for his casket to be open in St. Peter’s Basilica for the public to pay their respects. The College of Cardinals must then choose who will be the next pope in elections known as the conclave. Until a majority of votes is reached, the College of Cardinals governs the Church in the period between the pope’s death and the election of a new pontiff.
In previous centuries, the conclave lasted from a few days to several months. Usually, it lasts for several days.
Typically, one of the cardinals becomes the next pope, and they usually prefer a European to be his successor. At the time of publication, the cardinals had begun their meeting for voting. On May 8, 2025, white smoke emerged from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, indicating that a new pope had been elected.
The name of the new pope is Robert Francis Prevost, a Catholic from Chicago. He chose his papal name Pope Leo XIV
While Italy mourned, the question of who would replace him became relevant. Now that the conclave has concluded, all eyes are on the Vatican, which signaled that a new pope was elected on May 8, 2025. Below you will find updates on how the Vatican is moving forward after the death of Francis and who was chosen as the next leader of the Catholic Church.
Francis was 88 years old when he died.
According to the death certificate of Francis, the cause of his death was a cerebral stroke, coma, and irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse, as well as a «preceding episode of acute respiratory failure in bilateral multibacterial pneumonia, multiple bronchiectasis, arterial hypertension, and type 2 diabetes». A cerebral stroke is a loss of blood flow to the brain, and irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse means that he experienced a sudden failure of the heart to maintain blood flow, according to ABC News.
Francis died after battling a number of illnesses, most of which were related to respiratory problems. In his 20s, the pope had part of one of his lungs removed. Years later, in 2023, he received medical treatment for bronchitis, and then again in early 2025 when he was diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia.
Throughout the remainder of his life, Francis also underwent surgery on his intestine, having part of his colon removed to manage diverticulitis (a condition causing inflammation in the colon), and walked with a cane and used a wheelchair due to knee problems.
Shortly before the pope’s death, funeral arrangements were made. Francis approved for his casket to be open in St. Peter’s Basilica for the public to pay their respects. The College of Cardinals must then choose who will be the next pope in elections known as the conclave. Until a majority of votes is reached, the College of Cardinals governs the Church in the period between the pope’s death and the election of a new pontiff.
In previous centuries, the conclave lasted from a few days to several months. Usually, it lasts for several days.
Typically, one of the cardinals becomes the next pope, and they usually prefer a European to be his successor. At the time of publication, the cardinals had begun their meeting for voting. On May 8, 2025, white smoke emerged from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, indicating that a new pope had been elected.
The name of the new pope is Robert Francis Prevost, a Catholic from Chicago. He chose his papal name Pope Leo XIV
© Puhova Marina
