Pope Francis Passes Away: A New Era for the Catholic Church Begins
The Catholic Church is poised to enter a new chapter following the death of Pope Francis, who passed away at the age of 88 on Monday after suffering a stroke at his residence in the Vatican. Known for his progressive views, Francis became the first Jesuit pope and the first from the Americas when he ascended to the papacy in 2013. His death marks the end of a significant papacy that championed issues of social justice, climate change, and global migration.
Following the pope's passing, Cardinals will convene on Tuesday, April 22, to determine the date for his funeral, initiating a swift process that will culminate in the election of his successor within three weeks. Pope Francis had been recovering from a bout of double pneumonia which had seen him hospitalized for five weeks prior to his death. Tributes are flooding in from around the world, spotlighting his influence as a liberal reformer who navigated the complexities of modern Catholicism.
In his home country of Argentina, preparations are underway for a week of national mourning, while in India, a rare three-day state mourning period has begun, honoring the pope's role as a foreign religious leader in the world's most populous nation. World leaders are expected to attend the funeral, set to take place at St. Peter's Basilica. Former U.S. President Donald Trump was among the first to announce his attendance, lauding Francis as a 'good man who worked hard and loved the world,' despite past disagreements over immigration policies. French President Emmanuel Macron also expressed his intention to attend, reinforcing the global impact of the late pope.
According to the Apostolic Constitution, the funeral is expected to occur between the fourth and sixth days following the pope's death, placing it between Friday and Sunday this week. The Vatican has yet to officially announce the date, but cardinals will decide the details in a series of congregations starting at 9 am local time. Notably, only those under 80 will have voting rights in the coming conclave to elect a new pope.
Meanwhile, Pope Francis's body has been moved to the Santa Marta chapel, and its location will be sealed for mourning. His remains will be transferred to St. Peter's Basilica starting Wednesday for the public to pay their last respects. In his will released to the public, he expressed a desire for a simple tomb, bearing just his name in Latin, "Franciscus." He is to be buried at Rome's Santa Maria Maggiore basilica, making history as the first pope in over a century to be laid to rest outside of Vatican City.
Pope Francis's death certificate confirmed the cause as a stroke, which triggered a coma and irreversible heart failure. Only a month prior to his death, he had been discharged from hospitalization with advice to rest for at least two months. His recent public appearances illustrated his devotion to his faith and followers, as he continued to greet the crowds in St. Peter's Square, even as he seemed visibly fatigued.
As tributes pour in from international figures, including Argentine football icon Lionel Messi, the world reflects on the legacy of a pope who embraced the beauty of human connection while advocating for a more compassionate approach to complex societal issues. The Catholic community and believers around the globe will now navigate the difficult moment of mourning and the anticipation of future leadership in the church.
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