Pope Francis is dead: the whole world salutes Jorge Mario Bergoglio
Pope Francis has passed away, leaving a deep void in the Catholic Church and in the hearts of millions of faithful throughout the world.
With his passing, one of the most significant pages in the recent history of the papacy, that of Jorge Mario Bergoglio, closes. the first pontiff from Latin AmericaIn these hours the Vatican and the faithful are united in grief, while the entire planet prepares to pay homage to a figure who has profoundly marked our time.
The Death of Pope Francis
Pope Francis died in the early hours of the morning, at 7:35, on Monday, April 21, 2025. The death occurred in the residence of Casa Santa Marta, inside the Vatican, where the pontiff lived permanently. The news was officially communicated by the Vatican Press Office, which released a short bulletin confirming the death occurred following the worsening of his health conditions.
The death of Pope Francis had been preceded by several days of growing concern, during which the Vatican had repeatedly updated on the seriousness of the clinical picture. As soon as the news spread, the bells of St. Peter's began tolling for the dead, while the faithful and tourists gathered in St. Peter's Square.
Who was Pope Francis
Born in Buenos Aires on December 17, 1936, Jorge Mario Bergoglio was the first Jesuit pope in history and the first from Latin America. He was elected to the papal throne on March 13, 2013, succeeding Benedict XVI, who had renounced the papacy.
During his pontificate, Pope Francis has emphasized issues such as poverty, immigration, environmental protection and the reform of the Church. He has promoted an image of a Church closer to the weakest, more open to dialogue and less formal than his predecessors. He has also traveled to numerous countries, always trying to bring a message of peace and inclusion.
Reactions to his disappearance
The death of Pope Francis immediately sparked an avalanche of reactions from around the world. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, expressed the Church's deep sorrow, inviting the faithful to pray.
Messages of condolence have arrived from:
- Sergio Mattarella, President of the Italian Republic
- Giorgia Meloni, Prime Minister
- Trump, President of the United States
- Emmanuel Macron, President of France
- Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, President of Brazil
- Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury
- Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople
- Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations
In St. Peter's Square, thousands of faithful have already gathered to pray and pay homage to the pontiff. Prayer vigils and commemorative celebrations are expected throughout the world in the coming days.
What happens now: the vacant seat and the conclave
With the death of Pope Francis, the period of Sede Vacante officially begins, during which all government functions of the Church are suspended, pending the election of the new pontiff.
The College of Cardinals will meet in Rome to organize the Conclave, which will be held in the Sistine Chapel. The goal will be to elect a new pope within a few days.
In this period:
The Camerlengo, currently Cardinal Kevin Farrell, assumes day-to-day management of Vatican affairs.
The conclave will be composed of all cardinal electors under the age of 80, approximately 120 cardinals.
The black and white smokes will indicate respectively that there has been or has been an agreement on the election.
Meanwhile, the funeral of Pope Francis will be celebrated in the next few days in St. Peter's Square, following the solemn rite expected for deceased pontiffs.