Pope Francis Passes Away at 88; Transition to New Leadership Begins
Pope Francis dies unexpectedly; tributes pour in as cardinals prepare for conclave to elect a successor following centuries-old rituals.
The funeral at St. Peter's Basilica on Saturday will draw "Patriarchs, Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops, and priests from across the globe," the Vatican said.
Pope Francis' funeral date announced by Vatican as first images of his body released
CBS News·10d·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
History doesn’t offer a specific pattern to help observers predict the conclave set to take place.
Expect the Unexpected From the Papal Conclave
TIME Magazine·10d·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.Leans LeftThis outlet slightly leans left.
Francis died Monday morning at the age of 88 after suffering a stroke that landed him in a coma and resulted in his heart failure.
First photos released of Pope Francis in his casket; funeral set for Saturday
FOX News·10d·Mostly ReliableThis source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.Leans RightThis outlet slightly leans right.
The death of Pope Francis will throw into sharp relief the internecine power struggle that has been a hallmark of his papacy.
Pope Francis’s funeral to take place on Saturday as Vatican releases images of open coffin – live
The Guardian·10d·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.Leans LeftThis outlet slightly leans left.
The church, I'm guessing, will swing back into its pre-Francis state.
Who will be the new pope? After Pope Francis' progress, expect a course correction. | Opinion
USA TODAY·10d·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
This silence reflects the deep uncertainty about the direction the Church may now take in what will be a conclave more numerous and international than ever before: 135 cardinals from 71 countries, compared to 115 electors in 2005 and 2013 from 52 and 48 countries, respectively.
The Vatican heads toward a conclave with 15 papal candidates already emerging
El Pais·10d·Mostly ReliableThis source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.Leans LeftThis outlet slightly leans left.
The Church is now preparing for a conclave, expected to begin after May 6, where 135 cardinal electors, nearly 80 percent of whom were appointed by Francis, will vote in secret to choose his successor.
Vatican schedules funeral of Pope Francis for Saturday
Al Jazeera·10d·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.Leans LeftThis outlet slightly leans left.His Easter appearance from the same loggia where he was introduced to the world as the first pope from the Americas on March 13, 2013, was a fitting bookend to a 12-year papacy that sought to shake up the church and return it to its Gospel-mandated mission of caring for the poorest.
Pope Francis' funeral to be held Saturday, with public viewing starting Wednesday
Associated Press·10d·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
Conservative and traditionalist Catholics were wary of Francis from his 2013 election, when he first addressed the crowd without the ermine-rimmed, red velvet cape of his predecessors.
Pope Francis's many critics included a one-time aide and the Vatican's ex-ambassador to the US
ABC News·10d·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
This conclave is going to be crucial for deciding the future direction of the Roman Catholic Church, and the field of candidates is wide open thanks to Pope Francis’ reforms.
Pope Francis successor: who’s in contention to be the next pontiff?
CNN·10d·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.Leans LeftThis outlet slightly leans left.
Francis soon invited troubles of his own, and conservatives grew increasingly upset with his progressive bent, outreach to LGBTQ+ Catholics and crackdown on traditionalists.
Pope Francis, who led with humility, dies at 88
Boston Herald·11d·Mostly ReliableThis source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.Leans RightThis outlet slightly leans right.
A papal conclave will now be convened although its resemblance to the one popularised in last year’s Oscar-nominated film starring Ralph Fiennes is more in name than process.
Trump Reveals Plans to Attend Pope Francis's Funeral
Breitbart News·11d·Mixed ReliableThis source has a mixed track record—sometimes accurate but also prone to bias, sensationalism, or incomplete reporting.RightThis outlet favors right-wing views.
Throughout his papacy, he was often hailed and sometimes criticized for his efforts to reshape the Catholic Church.
Catholics around the globe mourn the death of Pope Francis
PBS NewsHour·11d·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.Leans LeftThis outlet slightly leans left.
Pope Francis lived out the joy of the Gospel from the first day of pontificate until his last breath.
NWI Catholics react to passing of Pope Francis
Chicago Tribune·11d·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
Now the church has to chart a course without his leadership.
Pope Francis I has died. What happens now? : Consider This from
NPR·11d·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
Church leaders from across the world are expected to travel to the Vatican within the coming days to honor the late pope and initiate the process of electing his replacement.
Vatican shares Pope's cause of death
World News Group·11d·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.Leans RightThis outlet slightly leans right.Pope Francis inherited a church in disarray and worked hard to overhaul the Vatican's central administration, root out corruption, and, after a slow start, confront the scourge of child abuse within the ranks of the priesthood.
Cardinals to Meet, Plan for Pope Francis' Funeral
Newsmax·11d·Mixed ReliableThis source has a mixed track record—sometimes accurate but also prone to bias, sensationalism, or incomplete reporting.RightThis outlet favors right-wing views.
Discussion of potential names began long ago behind the Vatican’s walls, and observers are predicting several possibilities.
Who will be the next pope? Here are some possible contenders.
Boston Globe·11d·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.Leans LeftThis outlet slightly leans left.
Pope Francis died of a cerebral stroke and heart failure, the head of the Vatican’s health department, Dr. Andrea Arcangeli, confirmed Monday, April 21.
Pope Francis Died From Stroke and Heart Failure
Rolling Stone·11d·Mixed ReliableThis source has a mixed track record—sometimes accurate but also prone to bias, sensationalism, or incomplete reporting.LeftThis outlet favors left-wing views.
The cause of death was not immediately revealed to the public, and comes after Dr. Arcangeli, his vice director, the dean of the College of Cardinals, the Cardinal Camerlengo, and Pope Francis’s family members gathered in the chapel at Domus Sanctae Marthae to place the pope in his coffin and have the formal declaration of death.
Stroke, Heart Failure Revealed as Pope’s Cause of Death
Epoch Times·11d·Mixed ReliableThis source has a mixed track record—sometimes accurate but also prone to bias, sensationalism, or incomplete reporting.RightThis outlet favors right-wing views.
In addition to being the first Latin American pope, Bergoglio was also the first pontiff to belong to the order of the Society of Jesus, also known as the Jesuits.
Pope Francis' cause of death revealed
Christian Post·11d·Mostly ReliableThis source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.Leans RightThis outlet slightly leans right.
The election of a new pope has always been as much political balancing act as spiritual exercise.
What the next pope could mean about the future of the Catholic Church
Vox·11d·Mostly ReliableThis source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.Leans LeftThis outlet slightly leans left.
But for the Pope, Easter was most important time of all.
Final days of Pope who joined Vatican crowds at Easter despite doctors' advice
BBC News·11d·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
However, both Faggioli and Lubov agreed that Parolin’s chances could take a hit because he was the chief architect of an agreement with China on the appointment of Roman Catholic bishops in the communist country that gave the pope the final say.
Who will be the next pope? Here are some of the contenders
NBC News·11d·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
The search for the next leader of the Catholic Church will likely be closely watched not just by the members of the church, but also by non-Catholics who recognize the immense influence of the institution, especially in light of the debates over how the church and its members should address topics such as immigration, LGBT issues, and abortion.
Speculation Swirls as Several Historic Firsts Floated as Potential Pope Candidates
New York Sun·11d·Mixed ReliableThis source has a mixed track record—sometimes accurate but also prone to bias, sensationalism, or incomplete reporting.RightThis outlet favors right-wing views.
Indeed, Francis was noted for his criticism of neoliberal capitalism, which he argued was a driving cause of poverty and human suffering, not its resolution.
Pope Francis, Catholic Church's first Latin American pontiff, has died at 88
Salon·11d·Mostly ReliableThis source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.LeftThis outlet favors left-wing views.
Pope Francis’s legacy is a call — to look beyond our fears, to challenge our prejudices, and ultimately, to choose mercy over judgment.
Opinion | The quiet hope of Pope Francis
MSNBC·11d·Mostly ReliableThis source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.LeftThis outlet favors left-wing views.
The next pontiff likely will follow in his footsteps as a progressive Catholic leader rather than mark a return to a more socially conservative and dogmatic approach.
Now that Pope Francis has died, what happens next?
Chicago Sun-Times·11d·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
Francis showed that Catholicism is an institution changing in spite of itself.
The New Yorker·11d·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.LeftThis outlet favors left-wing views.
The pope will be remembered for encouraging Catholics to embrace a more compassionate view on many issues, while finding it difficult to close the book on past abuses by clergy.
Pope Francis, Promoter of a More Compassionate Church, Dies at 88
Bloomberg·11d·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
Instead, experts said, his legacy may be related to something even more unprecedented: his identity as the first Latin American pope.
Pope Francis Changed a Lot About the Church. One Thing Cannot Be Reversed.
Slate·11d·Mostly ReliableThis source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.LeftThis outlet favors left-wing views.
The seemingly failed 30-hour ceasefire highlights the challenges that lie ahead for achieving a peace agreement to end the conflict, which has now entered its third year.
Remembering Pope Francis, 266th leader of the Catholic Church
Straight Arrow News·11d·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
Pope Francis was the 266th pope and oversaw several changes to the papal funeral process.
Pope Francis changed the plans for his own funeral before his death. Here’s what to expect
Fortune·11d·Mostly ReliableThis source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
Regardless, Francis clearly believed that provocation and disruption were healthy for the Church.
The Atlantic·11d·Mostly ReliableThis source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.Leans LeftThis outlet slightly leans left.
Summary
Pope Francis died unexpectedly at 88 on April 21, 2025, after suffering a stroke. His passing, recognized for multifaceted global influence, has prompted worldwide tributes. Memorial services are ongoing, with significant international leaders acknowledging his humanitarian legacy, while also highlighting criticism from the conservative Catholic faction during his papacy. His funeral is set for April 27, 2025, at St. Peter’s Square. Following a period of mourning and the traditional sealing of the late pope's apartment, the conclave to elect Francis' successor is anticipated to occur between May 5 and May 10, led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re.
Perspectives
Pope Francis Pope Francis comes as a surprise but not a shock, occurring on Easter Monday, which many view as a fitting conclusion to his message of hope and resurrection.
Pope Francis will be buried in the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major, following his wishes for a simple burial without ornamentation, reflecting his humility and devotion.
Following the papacy of Francis, who advanced inclusion and social justice, there is speculation about the direction the next pope will take, wiFrancising expectations among the faithful.
FAQs
History
- 10d
- 11d
- 11d
- 11d
- 11d
- 11d