Michael Brooks
The Pope is the head of the Catholic Church and is considered a spiritual leader for Catholics worldwide. Pope Francis, who passed away aged 88 on April 21, 2025, was the first pope from the Americas. He was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and his papacy began in 2013. Pope Francis was known for his progressive views on issues like immigration and climate change, as well as his emphasis on environmental stewardship and attention to underserved Catholic populations. However, he also held conservative viewpoints on matters like abortion and faced criticism for his failure to address sexual abuse in the clergy. Following Pope Francis' death, the Catholic Church elected its first American pope, Cardinal Robert Prevost, who will be known as Pope Leo XIV.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Pope's name | Francis |
| Pope's birth name | Jorge Mario Bergoglio |
| Pope's birthplace | Buenos Aires, Argentina |
| Date of birth | December 17, 1936 |
| Date of ordination | 1969 |
| Consecration | 1992 |
| Created cardinal | 2001 |
| Papacy began | 2013 |
| Death | April 21, 2025 |
| Age at death | 88 |
| Successor | Cardinal Robert Prevost (Pope Leo XIV) |
| Successor's birthplace | Chicago, Illinois |
| Successor's ancestry | Latino (Spaniards and French) |
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What You'll Learn
Pope Francis' death and succession
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, died aged 88 on 21 April 2025. His death was announced by the Vatican on Monday, 21 April, marking the start of the centuries-old Catholic ritual of mourning and selecting a new leader of the church.
The cameralengo, currently Irish-American Cardinal Kevin Farrell, will run the ordinary affairs of the Roman Catholic Church during the period known as the "sede vacante" (empty chair). The cameralengo and three assistants chosen from among cardinals under 80 years of age, known as cardinal electors, will decide when the pope's body is to be taken into St. Peter's Basilica for the public to pay their respects. They will also ensure that the pope's "Fisherman's Ring" and his lead seal are broken so that they cannot be used by anyone else.
Mourning rites last nine days, with the date of the funeral and burial decided by the cardinals. Pope Francis modified and simplified the papal funeral rites in 2024. The funeral Mass is expected to be held in St. Peter's Square, but Francis asked to be buried in Rome's St. Mary Major Basilica to be near his favourite icon of the Madonna. He also requested to be buried in a simple wooden casket, unlike his predecessors, who were buried in three interlocking caskets made of cypress, lead and oak.
Around 15 to 20 days after Francis' death, the cardinals will gather for a conclave to elect a new pope. Pope Francis appointed 108 of those cardinals, 10 of whom are American and under 80 years old, thus eligible to vote. The new pope will then appear and give the crowd his first blessing as pontiff.
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Pope Francis' legacy
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, was the first pope from the Americas. He was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on December 17, 1936, to Italian immigrants Mario and Regina Bergoglio. He was ordained in 1969, had his consecration in 1992, and was created a cardinal in 2001.
Pope Francis was the head of the Catholic Church from 2013 until his death in 2025 at the age of 88. He was known for his humility and compassion, earning him the nickname the "pope of peripheries". He dedicated his papacy to mercy, justice, and care for the most vulnerable. He inspired much of this change through his humility and compassion for all, leading him to be regarded as the "Great Reformer".
Pope Francis elevated climate change to a moral issue, denounced unfettered capitalism, and increased financial transparency within the Vatican. He pressured church leaders to listen more to ordinary church members, declaring that "We priests are not the bosses of the layity [lay people]". He made the first papal visit to South Sudan since its independence from Sudan in 2011, and he also kissed and washed the feet of young prisoners during a Holy Thursday Mass.
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Pope Francis' political influence
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, was the first pope from the Americas. His papacy began in 2013, and he was known for having a less formal approach to the role than his predecessors. For example, he chose to reside in the Domus Sanctae Marthae guesthouse instead of the papal apartments of the Apostolic Palace. He also favoured simpler vestments, refusing the traditional papal mozzetta cape and choosing silver over gold for his piscatory ring.
Pope Francis has been perceived as a leftist figure and a modernizer. He has been very active in the public debate on several key social and political issues, including abortion, homosexuality, climate change, and poverty alleviation. He has been an outspoken critic of trickle-down economics, consumerism, and overdevelopment, and has made action on climate change a leading focus of his papacy. He has also criticized the rise of right-wing populism and anti-immigration politics, calling for the protection of migrants.
In international diplomacy, Pope Francis has had a significant influence. He helped restore full diplomatic relations between Cuba and the United States, negotiated a deal with the People's Republic of China to define Communist Party influence in appointing Chinese bishops, and encouraged peace between Israel and the Palestinians, signing the Vatican's first treaty with the State of Palestine. He also apologized for the Church's role in the cultural genocide of Canadian Indigenous peoples in residential schools and condemned Israel's military operations in Gaza, calling for investigations of war crimes.
Pope Francis has also had an impact on the conservative–progressive divide among bishops in Latin America. He gave his clear support to the progressive perspective by moving forward with the causes for canonization of Óscar Romero and Father Rutilio Grande, which had been on hold under previous pontiffs.
Overall, Pope Francis has had a significant political influence, both within the Catholic Church and on a global scale. His stances on various social and political issues have shaped public opinion and influenced international relations.
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Pope Francis' social influence
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, was the first pope from the Americas. He was also the first pope from the Southern Hemisphere, the first Jesuit pope, and the first to choose the papal name Francis. Pope Francis' papacy began in 2013 and ended in 2025, lasting 12 years.
Pope Francis's social influence is evident in his commitment to social justice, addressing economic inequality, and focusing on environmental stewardship. He has emphasised mercy and outreach to the marginalised, promoting pastoral care over doctrinal rigidity. This inclusive tone has been well-received by progressive Catholics, particularly the younger generation, but criticised by traditionalists.
Pope Francis has addressed issues such as migration, climate change, and global solidarity. He has also opened dialogue on controversial topics within the Catholic Church, including the role of women in church leadership, the morality of contraception, and the inclusion of divorced and remarried Catholics in communion. While he did not change doctrines regarding gay people, he sought to put everyone on the same level, stating that "we are all sinners".
Pope Francis has also focused on enhancing transparency and accountability within the Church, addressing clerical abuse scandals and financial corruption. However, he has faced criticism for his handling of certain situations, such as the defence of Bishop Juan Barros, who was accused of covering up sexual abuse.
Pope Francis has left a legacy of attempting to bridge the gap between tradition and modernity within the Catholic Church, and his influence will likely impact the direction of the Church in the future.
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Pope Francis' critics
Pope Francis, the first pope from the Americas, has had to face opposition from critics, especially those from the church's conservative wing. The criticisms are varied and come from different quarters.
Some critics, like Archbishop Georg Gaenswein, who was the secretary to Pope Benedict XVI, were wary of Francis from his 2013 election. They were used to more conservative popes and Francis' reform agenda did not align with their expectations. Gaenswein was fired from his papal household job after the scandal created by a book that had Benedict as a co-author, trying to influence the reigning pope. He later published a memoir that was highly critical of Pope Francis.
Pope Francis has also been criticised for his stance on homosexuality. He has defrocked priests for disagreeing with his views on homosexuality and has excommunicated a priest who refused to reject same-sex marriage. Many LGBTQ+ Catholic groups have welcomed Pope Francis, but they also voiced concern over his 2012 comments and hoped for a shift in stance.
Another criticism levelled at Pope Francis is that he is a poor leader. Some believe that he is inconsistent in his messages and that he allows politics to influence his decisions, which leads to division.
There are also critics who believe that Pope Francis did not sufficiently embrace the progressivism of the age, particularly its celebration of personal autonomy as the hallmark of social justice and sexual freedom.
Despite the criticisms, Pope Francis has been described as a pope who works tirelessly and tries to improve the Church's shortcomings. He is also known for his humility and his conviction that faith must always serve justice.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Pope Francis was the head of the Catholic Church.
Cardinal Robert Prevost, also known as Pope Leo XIV, was elected as the first American Pope in history in 2025.
Pope Francis was known for his emphasis on environmental stewardship and attention to underserved Catholic populations outside of Europe. He also made significant, lasting changes to the Catholic Church and its role in the world.
Pope Francis frequently spoke about political issues, taking progressive views on immigration and climate change, and more conservative viewpoints on abortion. He also criticized Israel's treatment of Palestinians and made comments about resolving the Russia-Ukraine war.
The Pope is a moral authority for followers and leaders across the globe, and his comments can shape how some voters perceive political issues. However, the Pope's direct political power is limited, and he does not have a great deal of "hard power".
