Pope Francis dies at 88; Vatican prepares for funeral and succession

Pope Francis, the first non-European pope in nearly 1,300 years and a transformative yet divisive figure in the Catholic Church, died Monday at the age of 88. The Vatican confirmed his death at 7:35 a.m. local time (05:35 GMT) at his residence, just a day after he made a public Easter Sunday appearance in St. Peter’s Square.

Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, the Vatican’s camerlengo, will oversee the formal rites, including the certification of death and the placement of the pope’s body in a coffin at 8 p.m. local time (2 p.m. ET) in the Chapel of the Domus Sanctae Marthae. The ceremony will be attended by senior Vatican officials and the pope’s family.

A Life of Reform and Controversy

Elected in 2013, Pope Francis—born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina—championed humility, social justice, and inclusivity, while facing resistance from conservatives over his progressive reforms. He lived simply, rejecting the papal palace for a communal residence, and pushed for financial transparency and greater roles for women in the Church. However, his papacy was also marked by internal divisions, particularly over clerical abuse scandals and doctrinal disputes.

Final Days and Global Tributes

Despite recent health struggles, including a severe bout of pneumonia earlier this year, Francis remained active until his final days. On Easter Sunday, he delivered a blessing and renewed calls for a Gaza ceasefire. Hours before his death, he met briefly with U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who later expressed condolences on social media.

World leaders, including King Charles III, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, praised his legacy of compassion and advocacy for the marginalized. Mourners gathered in St. Peter’s Square, with many visibly distraught.

What Comes Next?

The Vatican has postponed the upcoming canonization of Carlo Acutis, originally set for April 27, as it prepares for Francis’s funeral. Per his wishes, the ceremony will be simpler than those of past popes.

A conclave of 138 cardinals under age 80 will convene in the coming weeks to elect his successor. Since Francis appointed most voting cardinals, his progressive influence may shape the next papacy—though traditionalist opposition remains strong.

Pope Francis’s death marks the end of an era for the Catholic Church, leaving a legacy of bold reforms and enduring debate over its future direction.

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