Jorge Mario Bergoglio, elected in 2013 as the first Latin American pope, emphasized administrative reform and global outreach during his twelve-year tenure.
Pope Francis, the 266th bishop of Rome and leader of the Roman Catholic Church, died on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88. Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, he was elected in March 2013 following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. He was the first Jesuit and first Latin American to be elected pope.
In accordance with his wishes, Pope Francis will be buried in a simple wooden coffin, and his funeral will be held at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome rather than at St. Peter’s Basilica. He requested traditional rites used for bishops, opting against elaborate public displays.
Throughout his papacy, Francis focused on internal Church reform, decentralization of Vatican authority, and public engagement with global social and environmental issues. His administration prioritized financial oversight, brought more lay experts into decision-making roles, and increased representation from developing regions within the College of Cardinals. Approximately 80 percent of the cardinals eligible to vote in the upcoming conclave were appointed by him.
Francis also addressed longstanding institutional issues, including the handling of sexual abuse allegations. New reporting procedures were introduced under his leadership, though implementation varied by region. His openness to certain pastoral accommodations, including informal blessings for same-sex couples, drew criticism from more conservative Catholic leaders, underscoring divisions within the Church’s hierarchy.
His public statements and writings addressed topics such as climate change, economic disparity, and religious coexistence. In 2015, he published Laudato Si’, an encyclical on environmental responsibility, and in 2020, he released Fratelli Tutti, a letter calling for increased cooperation across religious and national boundaries. His international travel included visits to Iraq and Canada, where he met with religious minorities and acknowledged past abuses tied to Church-run institutions.
With the papal seat now vacant, the Catholic Church has entered the period known as sede vacante. The Camerlengo, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, has verified the pope’s death, sealed his private residence, and broken the Fisherman’s Ring, which traditionally symbolizes the end of a papal term.
The conclave to elect a new pope is expected to begin between April 30 and May 11. Cardinals under the age of 80 will convene in Rome for pre-conclave meetings, followed by voting sessions held in the Sistine Chapel. A two-thirds majority is required to elect a successor. The results of each vote are communicated to the public through smoke signals: black for an inconclusive vote, white for a successful election.
The funeral of Pope Francis is expected later this week, after the conclusion of the prescribed nine-day mourning period. The conclave is expected to begin in early May.