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Pope Francis Dies at 88, Vatican Begins Succession Process

The Vatican confirmed the death of the first Latin American pontiff on Easter Monday, initiating a nine-day mourning period and preparations for the election of the next pope.

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Overview

  • Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, passed away on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88, following a prolonged battle with bilateral pneumonia.
  • The Vatican announced that his body will be interred at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, fulfilling his 2023 request for a burial outside St. Peter's Basilica.
  • A nine-day Novendiale mourning period has commenced, with cardinals set to convene in the Sistine Chapel to elect the 267th pope.
  • Global leaders, including German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, praised Francis for his humility, advocacy for the marginalized, and efforts toward peace.
  • Francis, the first non-European pope in over 1,200 years, leaves a legacy of championing social justice, climate action, and addressing sexual abuse scandals within the Catholic Church.