Pope Francis has died, the Vatican says

What happens after the death of a pope: Rites and rituals explained

The death of a pope sets in motion a series of carefully orchestrated rites and rituals well before the conclave to elect his successor begins.

JD Vance, White House share condolences after Pope Francis’ death

(NewsNation) — Vice President JD Vance and the White House shared condolences Monday following the death of Pope Francis, 88. “I just learned of the passing of Pope Francis. My heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him,” Vance wrote on X on Monday. “I was happy to see him yesterday, though he was obviously very ill. But I’ll always remember him for the below homily he gave in the very early days of COVID. It w…

What is the papal conclave process? How the new Pope is elected

What is the papal conclave process? Find out how the new Pope is elected following Pope Francis' death.

Francis − a pope who cared deeply for the poor and opened up the Catholic Church

Pope Francis during the Palm Sunday Mass at St. Peter’s Square on April 2, 2023, in Vatican City. Antonio Masiello/Getty Images by Mathew Schmalz, College of the Holy Cross Pope Francis, the Catholic Church’s first Latin American pontiff, has died, the Vatican announced on April 21, 2025. He was 88. Francis was elected pope on March 13, 2013, after the surprise resignation of Benedict XVI. Prior to becoming pope, he was Jorge Mario Bergoglio, a…

Traditionally, the pope has been elected from the College of Cardinals since 1378, although any baptized Roman Catholic male is eligible, according to Religion News Service.

The Real Legacy of Pope Francis

Early in his papacy, Francis made a declaration that now appears prophetic: “I want a mess.”