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.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has approved its Strategic and Capital Framework (SCF) for the next five years, demonstrating strong and continued support for Ukraine.
Poland will restart negotiations with the Czech Republic over a decades-old 400-hectare border dispute, raising questions about the EU’s sovereignty-focused, bilateral approach and its relevance for talks like those between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Our report examines this diplomatic revival and its
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for May 17th , covering the latest developments you need to know.
A drone strike believed to have been carried out by Russian forces hit a civilian bus in the town of Bilopillia in Ukraine’s Sumy region on Saturday, killing nine people and injuring four, Ukrainian officials said, while Russia’s defence ministry said its drones had struck a military staging area in
Russian President Vladimir Putin has invited all Arab League leaders and the organization's Secretary General to the first-ever Russia-Arab summit on October 15, aiming to strengthen cooperation and enhance peace and stability in the Middle East and North Africa.
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.
Ukrainian and Russian delegations meet behind closed doors at Istanbul’s Dolmabahçe Palace at 10:00 local time today to explore security guarantees, territorial integrity and a possible ceasefire.
EU approves 17th Russia sanctions, blacklisting almost 200 shadow‑fleet ships, 30 evasion firms and 75 defence figures, banning missile chemicals and arming Brussels to strike Kremlin hybrid and operations.
Poland will restart negotiations with the Czech Republic over a decades-old 400-hectare border dispute, raising questions about the EU’s sovereignty-focused, bilateral approach and its relevance for talks like those between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Our report examines this diplomatic revival and its
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for May 17th , covering the latest developments you need to know.
A drone strike believed to have been carried out by Russian forces hit a civilian bus in the town of Bilopillia in Ukraine’s Sumy region on Saturday, killing nine people and injuring four, Ukrainian officials said, while Russia’s defence ministry said its drones had struck a military staging area in
Russian President Vladimir Putin has invited all Arab League leaders and the organization's Secretary General to the first-ever Russia-Arab summit on October 15, aiming to strengthen cooperation and enhance peace and stability in the Middle East and North Africa.
French President Emmanuel Macron is in Albania for an official visit, where he will meet with Prime Minister Edi Rama to sign key agreements and hold a joint press conference.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has approved its Strategic and Capital Framework (SCF) for the next five years, demonstrating strong and continued support for Ukraine.
Poland will restart negotiations with the Czech Republic over a decades-old 400-hectare border dispute, raising questions about the EU’s sovereignty-focused, bilateral approach and its relevance for talks like those between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Our report examines this diplomatic revival and its
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for May 17th , covering the latest developments you need to know.
A drone strike believed to have been carried out by Russian forces hit a civilian bus in the town of Bilopillia in Ukraine’s Sumy region on Saturday, killing nine people and injuring four, Ukrainian officials said, while Russia’s defence ministry said its drones had struck a military staging area in
Russian President Vladimir Putin has invited all Arab League leaders and the organization's Secretary General to the first-ever Russia-Arab summit on October 15, aiming to strengthen cooperation and enhance peace and stability in the Middle East and North Africa.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment