Pope Francis has passed away at the age of 88, the Vatican confirmed early on Easter Monday. “At 7:35 a.m., he returned to the house of the Father,” announced Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell.

In March, the pope had been discharged from a five-week hospitalization after suffering respiratory problems and a double case of pneumonia. He died in his residence at the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta, near St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, where he had been moved following his treatment at Gemelli Hospital. Sources at Gemelli told reporters that Francis “passed away peacefully.”

Born in Buenos Aires on December 17, 1936, to a family of Italian heritage, Jorge Mario Bergoglio became pope on March 13, 2013. His election was historic in several ways: He was the first pope from outside Europe, the first Jesuit pope, and the first to take the name Francis—inspired by St. Francis of Assisi, a humble saint devoted to serving the poor and marginalized. This choice reflected Bergoglio’s own theological and political vision.

“Immediately, I thought of St. Francis of Assisi,” he said in 2013. “Francis was a man of peace, a man of poverty, a man who loved and protected creation.”

Following Benedict XVI’s resignation in February 2013, Francis also became the first modern pope to succeed a living predecessor.

Pope Francis will be remembered for what he called a “revolution of tenderness.” During his leadership of the Catholic Church, he tackled difficult issues, including clergy abuse of minors and financial mismanagement within Vatican institutions.

He also took progressive stances on matters like divorce, priestly celibacy, expanding women’s roles in the Church, and allowing gay men to join the clergy. However, his tenure was not without controversy, including recent reports of offensive remarks about gay individuals. Politically, he was an outspoken advocate against global inequality and repeatedly called for peace in Gaza. In his final public appearance on Easter Sunday, he urged an end to the war:

“I appeal to the warring parties: Call a ceasefire, release the hostages, and come to the aid of a starving people that aspires to a future of peace,” he told thousands of pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square.

In his last Urbi et Orbi address, he reiterated his plea: “I would like us to return to the hope that peace is possible… May the light of peace radiate over the entire Holy Land and the whole world.”

### What Happens Next? The Funeral and the Conclave

The death of a pope sets in motion a centuries-old ritual. The camerlengo (Cardinal Farrell, in this case) oversees the Vatican’s operations during the sede vacante—the period between a pope’s death and the election of his successor.

The bronze doors of St. Peter’s Basilica are partially closed, and the bells are rung with a hammer. The pope’s body is then taken to the Sistine Chapel, where it is embalmed and dressed for a three-day public viewing. Following reforms introduced by Francis himself, his body will not lie on an ornate catafalque like previous popes, but in a simple open wooden coffin—treated “with dignity, but like every Christian.”

His funeral, the Missa Poenitentialis, will be held in St. Peter’s Square before pilgrims and global dignitaries, with worldwide broadcasts. Traditionally, the pope’s body is then placed in a cypress coffin before being interred in the Vatican grottoes.

A conclave of cardinals will convene to elect the next pope, adhering to strict secrecy and tradition. The process continues until a new pontiff is chosen, signaling the next chapter for the Catholic Church.The coffin is made of three materials—cypress, lead, and walnut—then covered with a silk veil before being sealed and taken to the Vatican Grottoes beneath the basilica, where nearly all previous popes are buried. However, Pope Francis changed this tradition: He requested to be buried in the Basilica of St. Mary Major, his favorite place for prayer even before becoming pope. He also simplified the funeral rites, reducing the vigils from two to one and removing the coffin-closing ceremony.

Next comes the conclave, the gathering of cardinal electors who will meet in the Vatican to choose Francis’s successor. The term comes from the Latin cum clave, meaning “with a key,” referring to the locked-door election process. Traditionally, it begins 15 to 20 days after the pope’s death, allowing cardinals worldwide to travel to Rome. But Pope Francis streamlined this as well, urging cardinals to start sooner if all electors are already present before the usual 15-day wait.

Of the more than 220 cardinals from over 70 countries, only those under 80 can vote—leaving about 120 electors. Two-thirds of these were appointed by Francis in the past decade, many sharing his progressive outlook.

The cardinals will deliberate in the Sistine Chapel. The call “Extra omnes” (“Everyone out”) will signal the doors to be locked, leaving only voting cardinals, officials, and doctors inside. No outside contact is permitted—phones are confiscated, and the room is swept for bugs. The cardinals stay at Casa Santa Marta, a dedicated residence, throughout the voting.

After a Mass, voting begins, with breaks for prayer every seven ballots. Each morning and afternoon, a secret vote is held until a candidate secures a two-thirds majority. If no decision is reached after 30 rounds, a simple majority suffices. Ballots are burned after each vote, with chemicals added to signal the result: black smoke means no pope has been chosen, while white smoke announces a new pope.

Once elected, the candidate is asked if he accepts and to declare his papal name. The cardinals then pledge allegiance, and the new pope is robed in the “Room of Tears,” a small chamber in the Sistine Chapel.

Finally, the dean steps onto St. Peter’s Basilica balcony and proclaims: “Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum: Habemus papam”—”I announce to you with great joy: We have a pope.”

### World Reactions
Leaders worldwide have shared tributes to Pope Francis.

Former U.S. President Joe Biden wrote on X: “Jill and I are deeply saddened by the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. He will be remembered as one of the most impactful leaders of our time. For decades, he served the vulnerable in Argentina, and as pope, he championed the poor, peace, and our planet. He welcomed all, advocated for justice, and was truly the People’s Pope—a beacon of faith, hope, and love.”

French President Emmanuel Macron said: “From Buenos Aires to Rome, Pope Francis sought to bring joy and hope to the poorest, uniting people and nature. May this hope endure beyond him.”