The world is mourning the death of Pope Francis, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, who passed away at the age of 88 on Easter Monday, 21 April 2025. His death marks the end of a transformative papacy that lasted over a decade, and the beginning of one of the most sacred and secretive processes in the Catholic Church: the election of a new Pope.
Pope Francis’s Final Days and Death Announcement
Pope Francis died following a stroke and heart failure at 07:35 local time in Vatican City. The announcement came just a day after he delivered a brief Easter Sunday blessing from the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica — his final public appearance. Despite a long-standing battle with illness, including recent hospitalization for double pneumonia, Francis remained active until his last days.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Francis became the first Jesuit and the first non-European Pope in more than 1,200 years when he was elected in 2013. His papacy focused on humility, social justice, environmental protection, and reform within the Church.
Who Leads the Vatican After the Pope Dies?
After a Pope dies, leadership of the Vatican temporarily passes to the camerlengo, currently Cardinal Kevin Farrell, an Irish-American prelate appointed by Francis in 2023. The camerlengo confirms the Pope’s death, locks and seals his personal chambers, and destroys the Pope’s ring and official seal to prevent forgery of documents.
Farrell will oversee the Pope’s funeral arrangements and initiate preparations for the conclave, the election of the next Pope. While a camerlengo can become Pope, it is rare — it has only happened twice in modern history.
Funeral and Burial of Pope Francis
The funeral of Pope Francis is scheduled for Saturday, 26 April at 10:00 local time in front of St Peter’s Basilica. In line with the late pontiff’s wishes, the service will be simpler than those of his predecessors. Francis requested to be buried in Rome’s Basilica of St Mary Major, not in the Vatican crypt, making him the first Pope in over a century not to be interred beneath St Peter’s.
He also opted for a simple wooden coffin lined with zinc, as opposed to the traditional three-nested coffins made from cypress, lead, and oak. Leaders from around the world — including US President Donald Trump, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, and French President Emmanuel Macron — are expected to attend alongside thousands of faithful.
How Is the New Pope Chosen?
The new Pope will be elected by the College of Cardinals, a body composed of senior Church officials. Of the current 252 cardinals, only 135 are eligible to vote — those under the age of 80.
