SUBMITTED REPORT
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, passed away on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88. He died at his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta following a prolonged health battle, including hospitalization for double pneumonia earlier this year.
Elected as the 266th pope on March 13, 2013, following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, Francis made history as the first Jesuit and the first Latin American pope. His papacy was marked by a commitment to humility, compassion, and a call for a more inclusive Church. He advocated for social justice, environmental stewardship, and greater openness within the Catholic community.
With his passing, the Vatican enters a period known as “the seat being vacant.” During this time, all major decisions are paused, and the governance of the Church temporarily shifts to the College of Cardinals. The Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, currently Cardinal Kevin Farrell, administers the temporalities of the Holy See during this period.
The College of Cardinals will convene to determine the date for the conclave to elect a new pope. The interregnum is expected to last until a successor is chosen and installed.
Pope Francis’s death marks the end of a transformative era for the Catholic Church. His legacy of advocating for the marginalized and challenging the Church to embrace a more inclusive and compassionate approach will continue to influence the direction of the Church in the years to come.
