Joshua Bennett
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, was the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 2013 until his death on 21 April 2025. He was the first Jesuit pope, the first Latin American pope, and the first pope born outside of Europe since the 8th century. Pope Francis supported the decriminalization of homosexuality and played a role in restoring diplomatic relations between Cuba and the United States. His last public appearance was on Easter Sunday in 2025, and his funeral featured unprecedented security measures, including fighter jets and a naval destroyer. Pope Francis's successor, Pope Leo XIV, was elected on 8 May 2025.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Death | 26 April 2025 |
| Pope's Home State | Illinois |
| Successor | Pope Leo XIV |
| Number of Cardinals with the Right to Vote | 133 |
| Number of Cardinals Created by Pope Francis | 108 |
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What You'll Learn
Pope Francis has passed away
The world is in mourning following the death of Pope Francis. The Vatican outsider, known for his progressive approach to marginalised groups, has left an indelible mark on the Catholic Church. Pope Francis's funeral, which took place on April 26, was a testament to his impact, with an unprecedented security operation, including fighter jets and a naval destroyer on display.
A Life of Service
Pope Francis's legacy is one of dedication to the service of others. Before his passing, he donated one of his popemobiles to be converted into a mobile clinic, a gesture that reflects his commitment to helping those in need.
Impact on the Catholic Church
The late pope invited Catholics "out into the world," encouraging a more inclusive and accessible approach to the faith. This stance was particularly notable in his recommendations for reading, which encouraged a deeper exploration of the spiritual journey.
Electing a Successor
With the passing of Pope Francis, the ancient and secretive process of electing a new pope has begun. 133 cardinal electors gathered in the Sistine Chapel, where they will remain until a successor is chosen. The world now looks to the future, awaiting the direction that the new pope will take, facing challenges such as the decline of Catholic worshippers and long-standing issues within the Church.
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An ancient process to elect his successor has begun
With the death of Pope Francis, an ancient process to elect his successor has begun. The Papal elections are speeding up as Popes get older. The process is secretive, and the leaders of the church will be locked away, unable to leave or make contact with the outside world until they have selected the next Pope. 133 cardinal electors will gather in the Sistine Chapel to vote on the successor. Of these, 108 were created by Pope Francis.
The new Pope will be the leader of 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide. The process of choosing a new Pope begins in Rome, and cardinals from around the world will gather to vote. This includes three English cardinals. The new Pope will inherit the social media accounts of the previous Pope.
The last Pope, Francis, was a Vatican outsider and took a progressive approach to marginalised groups. His funeral took place on 26 April 2025, with 200,000 people in attendance and an "unprecedented" security operation.
The new Pope will be faced with a number of challenges, including the decline of the church in Europe and its rise in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
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133 cardinals will vote on the next pope
Pope Francis has passed away, and the process of electing the next pope is underway. The period between the pope's death and the election of their successor is known as the "interregnum," which comes from the Latin for "between reigns." The Catholic Church will now prepare to choose a new pope, a process that can last for several weeks.
The new pope will be elected by the Catholic Church's most senior priests, known as cardinals. While technically, any male Catholic can be chosen to become pope, in reality, the new pope is almost always selected from among the cardinals. These cardinals are chosen by the pope for their important roles and are the Church's most senior officials.
The process of electing a new pope is ancient and secretive. The cardinals will gather in Vatican City, specifically in the Sistine Chapel, and will be barred from leaving or making any contact with the outside world until they have selected the next pope. This process is known as the Papal Conclave, which comes from the Latin word "clavis," meaning "key," referring to the practice of locking the cardinals inside the building during the voting process.
The 133 cardinals with the right to vote will meet under Michelangelo's frescoes in the Sistine Chapel. They will write the name of the cardinal they think should be the next pope on a piece of paper and place it in a box. This process will continue until one cardinal receives at least two-thirds of the votes. During this time, the cardinals will also pray and reflect on their decision.
The world will know when a decision has been made through the colour of the smoke emerging from the Sistine Chapel's chimney. Black smoke indicates that no pope has been chosen, while white smoke signals that a new pope has been elected.
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Pope Francis donated his popemobile to be converted into a mobile clinic
Pope Francis, who passed away in May 2025, made a final request that his popemobile be converted into a mobile health clinic to serve the children of Gaza. The vehicle, which the pontiff used during his 2014 visit to Bethlehem, has been on display in a public square in the Palestinian city since then. Now, it has been refurbished and upgraded to provide medical assistance to injured and malnourished children who lack access to healthcare.
The mobile clinic will be deployed in the Palestinian territory as soon as humanitarian access is restored. It will be equipped with diagnostic and treatment tools, including rapid tests for infections, diagnostic instruments, vaccines, suture kits, and other life-saving supplies. Staffed by doctors and medics, it will reach children in isolated areas of Gaza.
Peter Brune, Secretary-General of Caritas Sweden, explained that the initiative symbolises that "the world has not forgotten the children of Gaza." He emphasised that the popemobile's new mission is to provide medical assistance and remind the world that children's rights and dignity must be protected.
Caritas Jerusalem, to whom the Pope entrusted the initiative, stated that the vehicle represents "the love, care, and closeness that His Holiness showed toward the most vulnerable throughout the crisis." They noted that the mobile clinic is not just a vehicle but also an invitation for the world to remember the children of Gaza.
Pope Francis's final gift to Gaza is a powerful testament to his legacy of peace and solidarity with those in need, especially children, who he often said, "are not numbers. They are faces. Names. Stories. And each one is sacred."
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The funeral featured unprecedented security measures
Pope Francis has passed away, and his funeral took place on 26 April. The funeral featured unprecedented security measures. Fighter jets, a naval destroyer, and guns were on show as part of the security operation. The late pope's coffin was moved and sealed ahead of the funeral, and a crowd of 200,000 people attended the ceremony. Pope Francis donated one of his popemobiles to be converted into a mobile clinic before his death.
The security measures surrounding Pope Francis's funeral reflect the importance and sensitivity of the occasion. With a large number of mourners and world leaders in attendance, the security operation aimed to ensure the safety and smooth proceedings of the event. Such measures are not commonly seen during papal funerals, highlighting the magnitude of the moment.
Fighter jets are typically associated with airshows or military demonstrations, but in this context, they served as a visual display of power and protection. Their presence in the sky above the funeral proceedings sent a message of strength and security. Similarly, the naval destroyer, a formidable force on the water, added to the comprehensive security protocol.
The deployment of guns is another aspect of the security measures. While their specific placement or usage is not detailed, their inclusion underscores the seriousness of the security operation. Guns can provide an additional layer of protection and serve as a deterrent against potential threats.
The combination of these security elements—fighter jets, a naval destroyer, and guns—created a robust security presence. It ensured that the funeral of Pope Francis proceeded without incident. Such measures are not commonly associated with funerals, but they were deemed necessary to maintain order and safety during this significant event in the Catholic Church's history.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Pope Francis passed away on the 21st of April 2025.
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, was the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 2013 until his death in 2025. He was the first Jesuit pope and the first Latin American pope.
Pope Francis supported the decriminalization of homosexuality. He helped restore diplomatic relations between Cuba and the US, negotiated a deal with China on appointing bishops, and encouraged peace between Israel and Palestine. In 2022, he apologized for the Catholic Church's role in the cultural genocide of Canadian Indigenous peoples.
Pope Francis' funeral took place on the 26th of April 2025. The event featured unprecedented security measures, including fighter jets and a naval destroyer. On the 8th of May 2025, Pope Leo XIV was elected as his successor.
