Pope Francis, the first pontiff from Latin America and one of the most reform-minded leaders in modern Church history, has died at the age of 88 following a cerebral stroke, the Vatican announced on Monday.
The stroke led to heart failure, according to Dr Andrea Arcangeli, head of the Vatican’s health department. The Pope had been battling chronic health problems for years, including lung disease and mobility issues, and was recently hospitalised for 38 days due to respiratory complications.
His death marks the end of a decade-long papacy that brought both admiration and division. Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina, was elected in 2013 after the surprise resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. From the outset, he broke tradition — choosing a simpler residence, championing the poor, and calling for a more inclusive Church.
Though his health had been in steady decline, the Vatican said his condition deteriorated rapidly over the weekend. His passing triggers the centuries-old Conclave, where cardinals will gather in the Sistine Chapel to elect the next pope. A date for the funeral and election process is expected to be announced in the coming days.
In his final act of devotion, Francis visited the Basilica of St. Mary Major — his chosen resting place — on April 12. It was his second visit since being released from hospital. The basilica houses the icon of the Virgin Mary known as Salus Populi Romani, to which he was deeply devoted.
Francis requested to be buried there, rather than beneath St. Peter’s Basilica like most of his predecessors, symbolising his preference for humility over hierarchy. Last year, he simplified the funeral rites for popes, placing more emphasis on their role as Bishop of Rome rather than head of state.
As leaders across the globe pay tribute, his death leaves behind a Church shaped by his push for openness and dialogue — and a question over how far that change will now go.
Following the death of Pope Francis on April 21, 2025, the Catholic Church is preparing for one of its most ancient and secretive traditions: the papal conclave. This process to elect the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church combines centuries-old rituals with modern security measures to ensure
As cardinals prepare to choose the next leader of the Catholic Church, tensions are rising over whether Rome should continue to hold central authority in a rapidly globalizing faith.
As Catholic cardinals prepare to elect a new pope following the death of Pope Francis on April 21, a key question arises: will the papacy return to an Italian after nearly 50 years of foreign leadership?
Roman Catholic cardinals will meet in a secret conclave to elect the new leader of the global Church starting from May 7, a senior Vatican source said on Monday.
President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met ahead of Pope Francis' funeral at the Vatican, according to sources.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced on May 16 that his country has started the process of joining the New Development Bank of BRICS.
Ministers in Libya’s Government of National Unity (GNU) are resigning one by one amid mounting protests in Tripoli, Libya Press agency reports
The US Supreme Court on Friday paused President Donald Trump’s attempt to carry out deportations using the 1798 Alien Enemies Act, siding with a group of Venezuelan immigrants in Texas who argued they were at risk of sudden removal under the rarely used wartime law.
Two North Korean fishermen picked up by South Korean patrols in March remain stranded in the South as Pyongyang refuses to respond to requests for their return.
The US has lost its final AAA credit rating after Moody’s downgraded the country to Aa1, citing growing deficits and mounting debt as risks to long-term fiscal health.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on May 15, with discussions reportedly focusing on upcoming peace talks between Ukrainian and Russian delegates in Istanbul.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the war in Gaza will not stop until Hamas is destroyed, following the release of US-Israeli soldier Edan Alexander.
Qatar signed a landmark agreement with U.S. aerospace giant Boeing on Wednesday to acquire 160 aircraft for Qatar Airways, a deal valued at $200 billion. The signing took place in Doha during the visit of U.S. President Donald Trump.
Delegations from Russia and Ukraine met in Türkiye for their first direct peace talks since 2022, with discussions lasting under two hours.
Vietnam and Thailand have officially upgraded their ties to a strategic partnership, marking a significant step forward in regional diplomacy.
Indian Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri, announced that India is opening up 200,000 square kilometers of its sedimentary basin for oil and gas exploration, inviting Russian companies to participate.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced on May 16 that his country has started the process of joining the New Development Bank of BRICS.
Ministers in Libya’s Government of National Unity (GNU) are resigning one by one amid mounting protests in Tripoli, Libya Press agency reports
The US Supreme Court on Friday paused President Donald Trump’s attempt to carry out deportations using the 1798 Alien Enemies Act, siding with a group of Venezuelan immigrants in Texas who argued they were at risk of sudden removal under the rarely used wartime law.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced on May 16 that his country has started the process of joining the New Development Bank of BRICS.
Ministers in Libya’s Government of National Unity (GNU) are resigning one by one amid mounting protests in Tripoli, Libya Press agency reports
The US Supreme Court on Friday paused President Donald Trump’s attempt to carry out deportations using the 1798 Alien Enemies Act, siding with a group of Venezuelan immigrants in Texas who argued they were at risk of sudden removal under the rarely used wartime law.
Two North Korean fishermen picked up by South Korean patrols in March remain stranded in the South as Pyongyang refuses to respond to requests for their return.
The US has lost its final AAA credit rating after Moody’s downgraded the country to Aa1, citing growing deficits and mounting debt as risks to long-term fiscal health.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment