Nostradamus made a prediction centuries ago about a Pope's death, which is now being linked to Pope Francis's passing by astrologers. The French man wrote in his book Les Proph&eacute;ties in 1555 that a "very old" Pope will die and will be replaced by "A Roman of good age" who will "weaken his seat".
Nostradamus, or Michel de Nostredame, is believed to have made several prophecies about the modern world which have come true. This includes the 9/11 attack, with his prophecy specifically hinting at the collapse of the World Trade Centre towers. He also forecast the rise of dictator Adolf Hitler and COVID-19. However, critics say that his prophecies were vague and don't think that he was talking about the exact events to which they are linked.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pope-francis-cause-of-death-revealed-pontiff-died-of-stroke-and-heart-failure-says-vatican-8987526" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Pope Francis' cause of death revealed: Pontiff died of stroke and heart failure, says Vatican</a>
About the Pope, his prediction seems like a warning about the future of the Catholic church. Pope Francis died on Easter Sunday at the age of 88. The cause of his death has been revealed to be a stroke and heart failure. He has been battling health issues for weeks and has developed pneumonia.
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Pope Francis made an appearance on Easter Sunday and delivered a message to the people.
<h2>Nostradamus's prediction about the Pope's successor</h2>
Nostradamus talked about a pope's death and wrote, "Through the death of a very old Pontiff / A Roman of good age will be elected / Of him it will be said that he weakens his seat / But long will he sit and in mordant activity."
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His eerie prediction is about the person who would replace the "very old" pope. Nostradamus reportedly prophesied that a Roman would replace the pontiff and wouldn't be very old. However, he goes on to say that the Catholic church will lose its reputation as this person will weaken the seat. The new pope, as per Nostradamus, will have a critical quality and occupy the position for a long time.
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He added, &nbsp;"A young man of dark skin with the help of the great king will deliver the purse to another of red colour."
<h2>Pope Francis' health timeline</h2>
Pope Francis had a tough few months in terms of health. He developed bronchitis on February 6 and was hospitalised on February 14 and diagnosed with severe pneumonia in both his lungs. He was treated for five weeks, with Feb 28 being termed the "worst night".
<iframe width="600" height="auto" style="width: 100%; aspect-ratio: 4/3;" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" class="external-video publive-iframes-block" src="https://cdn.thepublive.com/wion/static/kaltura_player/wion_video_player_iframe.html?thumbnail=wion/media/post_attachments/screenshot/2204_WION_POPE_FRANCIS_7AM/00000002.jpg&amp;videourl=https://vodakm.zeenews.com/vod/WION/2204_WION_POPE_FRANCIS_7AM.mp4/index.m3u8&amp;duration=217&amp;tags=Pope Francis, World News, WION" title="Pope Francis dies: Vatican doctor confirms pope died of stroke and heart failure" id="PL_iframe_block-m9rxpjnh-fvbbil2b-8zxydd33"></iframe>
His condition got so bad that physicians considered stopping all treatment so that he could pass away peacefully. But he fought it and was released from the hospital on March 23. He also greeted the people from the hospital balcony. On April 20, he made his last appearance.
The 266th pope was elected in 2013, serving in the position for nearly 12 years. The Conclave of cardinals to choose the new pope won't happen for at least 15 days. During an official mourning period, Francis's body will lie in state in St Peter's Basilica.

Nostradamus is back in the news with Pope Francis's death. Astrologers think he made an eerie prediction about the person who would replace him. World Trending

Nostradamus made a prediction centuries ago about a Pope's death, which is now being linked to Pope Francis's passing by astrologers. The French man wrote in his book Les Prophéties in 1555 that a "very old" Pope will die and will be replaced by "A Roman of good age" who will "weaken his seat". Nostradamus, or Michel de Nostredame, is believed to have made several prophecies about the modern world which have come true. This includes the 9/11 attack, with his prophecy specifically hinting at the collapse of the World Trade Centre towers. He also forecast the rise of dictator Adolf Hitler and COVID-19. However, critics say that his prophecies were vague and don't think that he was talking about the exact events to which they are linked. Also Read: Pope Francis' cause of death revealed: Pontiff died of stroke and heart failure, says Vatican About the Pope, his prediction seems like a warning about the future of the Catholic church. Pope Francis died on Easter Sunday at the age of 88. The cause of his death has been revealed to be a stroke and heart failure. He has been battling health issues for weeks and has developed pneumonia. Also Read: Deciphering Church traditions: Why did Pope Francis change his name from Jorge Mario Bergoglio? Pope Francis made an appearance on Easter Sunday and delivered a message to the people. Nostradamus's prediction about the Pope's successor Nostradamus talked about a pope's death and wrote, "Through the death of a very old Pontiff / A Roman of good age will be elected / Of him it will be said that he weakens his seat / But long will he sit and in mordant activity." Also Read: Canonisation of Carlo Acutis postponed following death of Pope Francis His eerie prediction is about the person who would replace the "very old" pope. Nostradamus reportedly prophesied that a Roman would replace the pontiff and wouldn't be very old. However, he goes on to say that the Catholic church will lose its reputation as this person will weaken the seat. The new pope, as per Nostradamus, will have a critical quality and occupy the position for a long time. Also Read: Why did Pope Francis change his name from Jorge Mario Bergoglio? He added, "A young man of dark skin with the help of the great king will deliver the purse to another of red colour." Pope Francis' health timeline Pope Francis had a tough few months in terms of health. He developed bronchitis on February 6 and was hospitalised on February 14 and diagnosed with severe pneumonia in both his lungs. He was treated for five weeks, with Feb 28 being termed the "worst night". His condition got so bad that physicians considered stopping all treatment so that he could pass away peacefully. But he fought it and was released from the hospital on March 23. He also greeted the people from the hospital balcony. On April 20, he made his last appearance. The 266th pope was elected in 2013, serving in the position for nearly 12 years. The Conclave of cardinals to choose the new pope won't happen for at least 15 days. During an official mourning period, Francis's body will lie in state in St Peter's Basilica.

Nostradamus issued stark warning about Pope Francis' successor, astrologers claim

World | Trending | Photos | Pope Francis, known globally as the People's Pope, passed away at after a heart attack, leaving the world in mourning and sparking tributes from millions of followers.

Pope Francis dies: World pays tribute - see pictures

Pope Francis died of a stroke and irreversible heart failure. The Vatican has released the death certificate of the late pontiff. World leaders are mourning the loss of Pope Francis. US President Donald Trump has called him a strong and spiritual voice in a divided world. Watch in for more details!

Pope Francis dies: Trump, Putin and other world leaders react to Pope Francis’ death

Pope Francis died of a stroke and irreversible heart failure. The Vatican has released the death certificate of the late pontiff.

Pope Francis dies: Vatican doctor confirms pope died of stroke and heart failure

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/pope-francis">Pope Francis</a> died of a stroke and irreversible heart failure, the director of health of the Vatican City State, Andrea Arcangeli, said in a death certificate released on Monday (Apr 21). The 88-year-old Catholic leader died on Monday morning, after he was discharged from a five-week stay in hospital for double pneumonia.
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Pope Francis died at 7:35 am in his apartment at the Santa Marta residence in the Vatican. According to the certificate published by the Vatican, the pope had fallen into a coma before passing away early on Monday.&nbsp;
The pontiff died of &ldquo;cerebral stroke, coma, irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse&rdquo;, the death certificate said. It added that he had already been affected by a previous episode of acute respiratory failure during his hospital treatment for double pneumonia.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/soul-of-a-warrior-how-pope-francis-battled-near-death-experience-to-spread-messages-of-peace-8986601">Soul of a warrior: How Pope Francis battled near-death experiences to spread messages of peace</a>
Pope had also suffered from multiple bronchiectases, arterial hypertension, and Type 2 diabetes, which were not known earlier.
<h2>Burial in St. Mary Major Basilica</h2>
In his final testament, Pope Francis stated that he wished to be buried in Rome&rsquo;s Basilica of Saint Mary Major and not at St. Peter&rsquo;s Basilica in the Vatican, where many of the previous pontiffs were buried.
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In his final will, released by the Vatican, Francis specified that he wanted to be buried &ldquo;in the ground, without particular decoration&rdquo;. His will had an inscription of his papal name in Latin: Franciscus.
<h2>Pope&rsquo;s last message</h2>
Just a day before his demise, the Pope made a public appearance on the occasion of Easter on Sunday (Apr 20), where 35,000 gathered in St. Peter&rsquo;s Square to hear his message. As per tradition, he delivered the &ldquo;Urbi et Orbi&rdquo; blessing, which means &ldquo;to the city and the world.&rdquo;
Watch | Vatican To Hold First Public Prayer For Pope Francis In St. Peter's Square
<iframe width="600" height="auto" style="width: 100%; aspect-ratio: 4/3;" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" class="external-video publive-iframes-block" src="https://cdn.thepublive.com/wion/static/kaltura_player/wion_video_player_iframe.html?thumbnail=wion/media/post_attachments/screenshot/2104_POPE_10PM/00000002.jpg&amp;videourl=https://vodakm.zeenews.com/vod/WION/2104_POPE_10PM.mp4/index.m3u8&amp;duration=380&amp;tags=pope, francis, wion" title="Vatican To Hold First Public Prayer For Pope Francis In St. Peter's Square" id="PL_iframe_block-m9rg1y49-0309tqsh-jkb8jame"></iframe>
Pope Francis&rsquo; last message was read aloud by Archbishop Diego Ravelli, in which he called for peace in war-torn regions like Gaza, Ukraine, Congo and Myanmar.

Pope Francis died at 7:35 am in his apartment at the Santa Marta residence in the Vatican. According to the certificate published by the Vatican, the pope had fallen into a coma before passing away early on Monday. World

Pope Francis died of a stroke and irreversible heart failure, the director of health of the Vatican City State, Andrea Arcangeli, said in a death certificate released on Monday (Apr 21). The 88-year-old Catholic leader died on Monday morning, after he was discharged from a five-week stay in hospital for double pneumonia. Also read | Deciphering Church traditions: Why did Pope Francis change his name from Jorge Mario Bergoglio? Pope Francis died at 7:35 am in his apartment at the Santa Marta residence in the Vatican. According to the certificate published by the Vatican, the pope had fallen into a coma before passing away early on Monday. The pontiff died of “cerebral stroke, coma, irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse”, the death certificate said. It added that he had already been affected by a previous episode of acute respiratory failure during his hospital treatment for double pneumonia. Also read | Soul of a warrior: How Pope Francis battled near-death experiences to spread messages of peace Pope had also suffered from multiple bronchiectases, arterial hypertension, and Type 2 diabetes, which were not known earlier. Burial in St. Mary Major Basilica In his final testament, Pope Francis stated that he wished to be buried in Rome’s Basilica of Saint Mary Major and not at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, where many of the previous pontiffs were buried. Also read | Pope Francis Death | Pontiff's will reveals his choice of humble resting place - St. Mary Major Basilica In his final will, released by the Vatican, Francis specified that he wanted to be buried “in the ground, without particular decoration”. His will had an inscription of his papal name in Latin: Franciscus. Pope’s last message Just a day before his demise, the Pope made a public appearance on the occasion of Easter on Sunday (Apr 20), where 35,000 gathered in St. Peter’s Square to hear his message. As per tradition, he delivered the “Urbi et Orbi” blessing, which means “to the city and the world.” Watch | Vatican To Hold First Public Prayer For Pope Francis In St. Peter's Square Pope Francis’ last message was read aloud by Archbishop Diego Ravelli, in which he called for peace in war-torn regions like Gaza, Ukraine, Congo and Myanmar.

Pope Francis' cause of death revealed: Pontiff died of stroke and heart failure, says Vatican

Pope Francis breathed his last after addressing a huge crowd gathered outside the Vatican's St. Peter’s Basilica on Sunday (April 20) to wish them a “Happy Easter.”

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Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State, died at the age of 88 on Monday (Apr 21).&nbsp;
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Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State, died at the age of 88 on Monday (Apr 21). Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US Vice President JD Vance on Monday (Apr 21) held negotiations for a comprehensive India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi raised questions on the credibility of the Election Commission of India by alleging irregularities in the Maharashtra assembly elections while speaking at an event in Boston. Click on the headlines for more Soul of a warrior: How Pope Francis battled near-death experiences to spread messages of peace Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State, died at the age of 88 on Monday (Apr 21). The pontiff spent about five weeks in hospital battling pneumonia for five weeks, where he nearly lost his life two times, before he was discharged on March 23 following improvement in health. PM Modi, US VP JD Vance hail 'significant progress' in India-US trade talks during vital New Delhi meeting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US Vice President JD Vance on Monday (Apr 21) welcomed "significant progress" in negotiations for a comprehensive India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement, with a focus on mutual welfare and economic cooperation. Rahul Gandhi questions EC’s credibility at Boston event, BJP slams him for defaming India Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who is visiting the United States, raised questions on the credibility of the Election Commission of India by alleging irregularities in the Maharashtra assembly elections while speaking at an event in Boston. China detonates hydrogen bomb, creates devastating effect without using nuclear material Chinese researchers claim to have detonated a hydrogen-based explosive that produced a devastating effect without using any nuclear material. The US is either slapping tariffs or deporting people; this has been a major agenda for Trump 2.0. The administration has been certain about deporting all immigrants, and in the quest to do that, it was earlier reported that an erroneous deportation took place. Kilmer Abrego-Garcia, a Maryland resident, was deported to El Salvador, after which a senator visited him on Friday (Apr 18) looking for ways to bring him back. And now, Trump says Abrego-Garcia is not 'innocent'. Who was Pope Francis? Beloved pontiff passes away at 88 Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State, died at the age of 88 on Monday (Apr 21). The pontiff spent about five weeks in hospital battling against pneumonia for five weeks, but was discharged on March 23 after his health improved. Man issues death threat to Delhi judge in courtroom after conviction A judge of a Delhi court was verbally abused, harassed and threatened in the open courtroom by a man whom she convicted in a six-year-old check bounce case, The conviction of the accused, a 63-year-old retired government teacher, under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act by the judge Shivangi Mangla led to a shocking scene in the court as the former hurled profanities. 'All SPADEX mission goals aced; 50% fuel remains' : ISRO Chief to WION The Indian space agency ISRO's twin satellites completed space docking for the second time on Sunday (Apr 20), around 9 pm Indian time. This second docking further validates the software, sensors, and techniques that ISRO has devised to perform a "space handshake" between two satellites that are travelling at over 28,000 kmph around the Earth. "For accomplishing the first docking in January this year, we had to make four-five attempts. This time it was done like child's play," ISRO Chief Dr. V. Narayanan told WION's Sidharth MP. The twin SPADEX satellites were launched on December 30th, 2024, using India's PSLV rocket. Formula 1: 'It was horrible. Not enjoyable at all', says Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton after poor show in Saudi Arabia Grand Prix In the aftermath of the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix, Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton was a visibly dejected figure. The seven-time world champion finished seventh and was nearly 31 seconds behind his teammate Charles Leclerc, who scored Ferrari's first grand prix podium of the season with third place. Kamal Haasan makes a joke about Trisha Krishnan’s favourite dish, leaves the internet divided Kamal Haasan and Trisha Krishnan are busy promoting their upcoming film Thug Life. The film which has been helmed by Mani Ratnam, features Haasan and several other stars including Silambarasan TR and Sanya Malhotra. During one of the promotional events, Kamal’s joke on Trisha’s expense has left the internet divided.

Top 10 world news: Pope Francis passes away at 88; PM Modi, US VP JD Vance hold trade talks in New Delhi, and more

Pope Francis, the leader of the Catholic Church, is no more. Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the 266th Roman Catholic Pontiff died on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88. 


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Real Madrid players observed a minute's silence before training on Monday as tributes poured in from across La Liga after the death of football-mad Pope Francis at 88.<o:p></o:p>
"Real Madrid wishes to express its condolences to the whole Catholic community in the face of the loss of a historic and universal figure," the club said in a statement. "During his papacy, marked by the scale of his great legacy, Pope Francis represented an enormous spirit of solidarity and support for the most disadvantaged and vulnerable people."<o:p></o:p>
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/football-federico-valverde-stunner-saves-real-madrid-la-liga-title-hopes-against-athletic-bilbao-barcelona-8984800" rel="dofollow">Valverde's injury-time stunner against Bilbao helps Real Madrid cut gap with Liga leaders Barcelona</a> 
The reigning Spanish and European champions posted a picture of the squad and coaching staff standing in a circle at the club training ground to hold a minute's silence.<o:p></o:p>
Barcelona and Atletico Madrid were also among a slew of top-flight clubs joining La Liga in expressing their condolences for Francis.<o:p></o:p>
The Argentine pope was a passionate follower of the Buenos Aires club San Lorenzo and viewed football as a vehicle to educate and spread peace, receiving legends including Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.<o:p></o:p>
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for the WION audience.
&nbsp;

Real Madrid posted a picture of the squad and coaching staff standing in a circle at the club training ground to hold a minute's silence. Sports, Football

Real Madrid players observed a minute's silence before training on Monday as tributes poured in from across La Liga after the death of football-mad Pope Francis at 88. "Real Madrid wishes to express its condolences to the whole Catholic community in the face of the loss of a historic and universal figure," the club said in a statement. "During his papacy, marked by the scale of his great legacy, Pope Francis represented an enormous spirit of solidarity and support for the most disadvantaged and vulnerable people." Also read | Valverde's injury-time stunner against Bilbao helps Real Madrid cut gap with Liga leaders Barcelona The reigning Spanish and European champions posted a picture of the squad and coaching staff standing in a circle at the club training ground to hold a minute's silence. Barcelona and Atletico Madrid were also among a slew of top-flight clubs joining La Liga in expressing their condolences for Francis. The Argentine pope was a passionate follower of the Buenos Aires club San Lorenzo and viewed football as a vehicle to educate and spread peace, receiving legends including Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for the WION audience.

Real Madrid players observe a minute silence for Pope Francis at training

Pope Francis died on Monday aged 88, a day after making a much hoped-for appearance at Saint Peter's Square on Easter Sunday, the Vatican said in a statement. As the world mourns the passing of Pope Francis, his death has prompted an outpouring of tributes from leaders and citizens around the globe, reflecting on his legacy of compassion, humility and commitment to social justice. Listening to how the people are reacting from around the world. Watch in for more details!

Pope Francis passes away, tributes pour in from around the world

Pope Francis died on Monday aged 88, a day after making a much hoped-for appearance at Saint Peter's Square on Easter Sunday, the Vatican said in a statement.
Francis's body will be laid in a coffin in the chapel at the Saint Martha residence where he lived at 8:00 pm (1800 GMT) on Monday, the Vatican said.
"Tonight, Monday April 21 at 8:00 pm (1800 GMT), His Eminence the Most Reverend Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, will preside over the rite of certification of death and the laying of the body in the coffin," the Holy See said in a statement.

Pope Francis dies: Pope Francis to be laid in coffin at Chapel of Saint Martha

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/pope-francis">Pope Francis</a>, the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State, died at the age of 88 on Monday (Apr 21). The pontiff spent about five weeks in hospital battling pneumonia for five weeks, where he nearly lost his life two times, before he was discharged on March 23 following improvement in health.
<h2>Doctors considered ending Pope&rsquo;s treatment</h2>
According to a Reuters report, Pope Francis came so close to death one time during his fight against illness that his doctors considered ending treatment so he could die in peace.
Francis, who had part of one lung removed as a young man, suffered two &ldquo;very critical moments during his hospital stay in which his life was in danger.
&ldquo;There was a real risk he might not make it,&rdquo; said Sergio Alfieri, a physician at Rome's Gemelli hospital.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/deciphering-church-traditions-why-did-pope-francis-change-his-name-from-jorge-mario-bergoglio-8986305">Deciphering Church traditions: Why did Pope Francis change his name from Jorge Mario Bergoglio?</a>
According to the Vatican, Pope Francis almost choked on his own vomit after he suffered a breathing &ldquo;crisis&rdquo; on February 28. On March 3, the pontiff experienced &ldquo;two episodes of acute respiratory failure&rdquo;, which was the third health crisis he suffered during his stay in the hospital. Both times, Pope Francis&rsquo; health improved.
&ldquo;We had to choose if we would stop there and let him go, or to go forward and push it with all the drugs and therapies possible, running the highest risk of damaging his other organs,&rdquo; Alfieri told Italy's Corriere della Sera in an interview.
&ldquo;In the end, we took this path,&rdquo; he said.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/swiss-guard-began-rehearsing-for-pope-francis-funeral-after-he-warned-his-close-aides-he-might-not-make-it-this-time-8986265">Swiss Guard began rehearsing for Pope Francis' funeral after he warned his close aides he 'might not make it this time'</a>
Pope returned to the Vatican on March 23 after facing the most serious health crisis of his 12-year papacy.
<h2>Pope&rsquo;s long hospital stay</h2>
The 88-year-old Pope was admitted to Rome's Gemelli Hospital on February 14 after complaining of breathing difficulties. He was initially diagnosed with bronchitis, but this developed into pneumonia in both lungs. He also underwent blood transfusions to bring up his haemoglobin levels.&nbsp;
Watch | Pope Francis dies: Latin America's first pontiff leaves behind powerful Easter message
<iframe width="600" height="auto" style="width: 100%; aspect-ratio: 4/3;" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" class="external-video publive-iframes-block" src="https://cdn.thepublive.com/wion/static/kaltura_player/wion_video_player_iframe.html?thumbnail=wion/media/post_attachments/screenshot/2104_WION_POPE_FRANCIS_3PM/00000002.jpg&amp;videourl=https://vodakm.zeenews.com/vod/WION/2104_WION_POPE_FRANCIS_3PM.mp4/index.m3u8&amp;duration=1251&amp;tags=Pope Francis, World News, WION" title="Pope Francis dies: Latin America's first pontiff leaves behind powerful Easter message" id="PL_iframe_block-m9r3zkza-6om548a4-di8gx8hn"></iframe>
Despite his advancing age and number of health problems, Pope Francis never took a day off. After he was discharged, he was ordered to undergo a two-month convalescence period before returning to normal life.
In recent years, he underwent a surgery on his colon and a hernia operation, as well as a previous stay in hospital with bronchitis.
<h2>Pope&rsquo;s last message on peace</h2>
Just a day before his demise, the Pope made a public appearance on the occasion of Easter on Sunday (Apr 20), where 35,000 gathered in St. Peter&rsquo;s Square to hear his message. As per tradition, he delivered the &ldquo;Urbi et Orbi&rdquo; blessing, which means &ldquo;to the city and the world.&rdquo;
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pope-francis-dies-at-88-humour-sense-kind-gestures-of-pontiff-who-made-others-smile-and-laugh-pope-francis-death-updates-8985542">Pope Francis, the playful pontiff - Remembering the humour sense and kind-hearted gestures of beloved pope who died at age of 88</a>
Pope Francis&rsquo; last message was read aloud by Archbishop Diego Ravelli, in which he called for peace in war-torn regions like Gaza, Ukraine, Congo and Myanmar.

Pope Francis came so close to death one time during his fight against illness that his doctors considered ending treatment so he could die in peace. World.

Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State, died at the age of 88 on Monday (Apr 21). The pontiff spent about five weeks in hospital battling pneumonia for five weeks, where he nearly lost his life two times, before he was discharged on March 23 following improvement in health. Doctors considered ending Pope’s treatment According to a Reuters report, Pope Francis came so close to death one time during his fight against illness that his doctors considered ending treatment so he could die in peace. Francis, who had part of one lung removed as a young man, suffered two “very critical moments during his hospital stay in which his life was in danger. “There was a real risk he might not make it,” said Sergio Alfieri, a physician at Rome's Gemelli hospital. Also read | Deciphering Church traditions: Why did Pope Francis change his name from Jorge Mario Bergoglio? According to the Vatican, Pope Francis almost choked on his own vomit after he suffered a breathing “crisis” on February 28. On March 3, the pontiff experienced “two episodes of acute respiratory failure”, which was the third health crisis he suffered during his stay in the hospital. Both times, Pope Francis’ health improved. “We had to choose if we would stop there and let him go, or to go forward and push it with all the drugs and therapies possible, running the highest risk of damaging his other organs,” Alfieri told Italy's Corriere della Sera in an interview. “In the end, we took this path,” he said. Also read | Swiss Guard began rehearsing for Pope Francis' funeral after he warned his close aides he 'might not make it this time' Pope returned to the Vatican on March 23 after facing the most serious health crisis of his 12-year papacy. Pope’s long hospital stay The 88-year-old Pope was admitted to Rome's Gemelli Hospital on February 14 after complaining of breathing difficulties. He was initially diagnosed with bronchitis, but this developed into pneumonia in both lungs. He also underwent blood transfusions to bring up his haemoglobin levels. Watch | Pope Francis dies: Latin America's first pontiff leaves behind powerful Easter message Despite his advancing age and number of health problems, Pope Francis never took a day off. After he was discharged, he was ordered to undergo a two-month convalescence period before returning to normal life. In recent years, he underwent a surgery on his colon and a hernia operation, as well as a previous stay in hospital with bronchitis. Pope’s last message on peace Just a day before his demise, the Pope made a public appearance on the occasion of Easter on Sunday (Apr 20), where 35,000 gathered in St. Peter’s Square to hear his message. As per tradition, he delivered the “Urbi et Orbi” blessing, which means “to the city and the world.” Also read | Pope Francis, the playful pontiff - Remembering the humour sense and kind-hearted gestures of beloved pope who died at age of 88 Pope Francis’ last message was read aloud by Archbishop Diego Ravelli, in which he called for peace in war-torn regions like Gaza, Ukraine, Congo and Myanmar.

Soul of a warrior: How Pope Francis battled near-death experiences to spread messages of peace

Pope Francis dies - Remembering the playful pontiff who made others laugh: Pope Francis died at the age of 88 on Monday (Apr 21), the Vatican announced. The pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church was known for being very people-friendly, approachable and playful. He was a welcome relief from some of his predecessors who used to keep a serious demeanour. His humour sense and kind-heartedness often helped the Argentinian pontiff navigate through some of the major crises of his 12-year papacy. Here are some instances of Pope Francis being funny and playful, and above all, a kind human being.
<iframe width="600" height="auto" style="width: 100%; aspect-ratio: 4/3;" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" class="external-video publive-iframes-block" src="https://cdn.thepublive.com/wion/static/kaltura_player/wion_video_player_iframe.html?thumbnail=wion/media/post_attachments/screenshot/2404_WION_ORG_POP_FRANCIS_DIES_AT_88_WEB_NEW/00000002.jpg&amp;videourl=https://vodakm.zeenews.com/vod/WION/2404_WION_ORG_POP_FRANCIS_DIES_AT_88_WEB_NEW.mp4/index.m3u8&amp;duration=99&amp;tags=Pope Francis, World News, WION" title="Pope Francis death: Final appearance on Easter Sunday before his death | Watch moment" id="PL_iframe_block-m9r1mndz-bvkz9upa-fg9sg3eu"></iframe>
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<h2>My knee needs some tequila: Pope makes light of his poor health</h2>
In the past few years, Pope Francis had faced several health issues due to his advanced age. One such was his knee ailment, which became visible as he started to limp. While attending a general audience in May 2022, he was asked by a group of Mexican seminarians from the Legion of Christ as to what he wished for.
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pope-francis-dies-at-88pope-francis-chose-this-footballer-as-his-favourite-hint-its-not-messi-or-maradona-8986025">Pope Francis chose THIS footballer as his favourite. Hint: It's not Messi or Maradona</a>
He said he needed 'some tequila' for his knee. This had the seminarians in stitches. They promised to bring him a bottle of tequila if they visited him at Santa Marta.
<h2>A prayer for humour and a famous meeting with comedians</h2>
Pope Francis's wit was often compared to that of Pope St. John XXIII.
This was in full display when he met a bunch of comedians, including some top names from the US, at the Vatican in 2024.
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-am-i-to-judge-stance-on-lgbtq-surrogacy-among-most-contentious-moments-of-pope-francis-papacy-8985804">&lsquo;Who am I to judge&rsquo;: Stance on LGBTQ, surrogacy among most contentious moments of Pope Francis&rsquo; papacy</a>
 He stressed the importance of humour and shared that he uses St Thomas More&rsquo;s prayer for good humour, which goes: &ldquo;Grant me, O Lord, a good sense of humour.&rdquo;&nbsp;
<h2>Can we make fun of God?</h2>
According to Pope, it is fine to make fun of God as long as the joke is not&nbsp;offensive
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pope-francis-passes-away-at-88-pope-francis-and-the-beautiful-game-a-pontiff-who-found-joy-and-faith-in-football-8985544">Pope Francis and the beautiful game: A pontiff who found joy and faith in football</a>
&ldquo;Of course, we can [make fun of God], just as we play and joke with the people we love,&rdquo; he said during the 2024 audience with more than 100 comedians.&nbsp;
"In the midst of so much gloomy news, immersed as we are in many social and even personal emergencies, you have the power to spread peace and smiles," he told them.
<h2>A sandwich for the guard</h2>
Once, Pope Francis had an interaction with a member of the Swiss Guard who was among his security detail. The pontiff learned that the guardsman could not sit down for long time, as he was ordered to stand for the pontiff's protection. "Is that so?", he asked, and then said "well, I am the Pope, and I ask you to sit down." He then went and fetched a sandwich, and gave the same to the guard.
<h2>A Fiat ride in Washington DC</h2>
The pope often showed a child-like innocence, which made him endearing to millions of his followers. He could be considered one of the wealthiest people in the world, given the Catholic Church's fortunes, but the Pope remained humble too.
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/swiss-guard-began-rehearsing-for-pope-francis-funeral-after-he-warned-his-close-aides-he-might-not-make-it-this-time-8986265">Swiss Guard began rehearsing for Pope Francis' funeral after he warned his close aides he 'might not make it this time'</a>
One such instance happened in Washington DC, during his US visit in 2015. Instead of luxury vehicles, the pope chose to ride on a small Fiat 500L. Reports at the time said the car was priced around $20,000 dollars much lower than luxury vehicles.
As the leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis had access to various cars, including luxury vehicles like a Lamborghini, which he was gifted, but chose to auction off for charity.&nbsp; 
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Pope Francis dies - playful pontiff made us laugh: Pope Francis died at the age of 88.  His humour sense and kind-heartedness are famous. World | Trending

Pope Francis dies - Remembering the playful pontiff who made others laugh: Pope Francis died at the age of 88 on Monday (Apr 21), the Vatican announced. The pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church was known for being very people-friendly, approachable and playful. He was a welcome relief from some of his predecessors who used to keep a serious demeanour. His humour sense and kind-heartedness often helped the Argentinian pontiff navigate through some of the major crises of his 12-year papacy. Here are some instances of Pope Francis being funny and playful, and above all, a kind human being. My knee needs some tequila: Pope makes light of his poor health In the past few years, Pope Francis had faced several health issues due to his advanced age. One such was his knee ailment, which became visible as he started to limp. While attending a general audience in May 2022, he was asked by a group of Mexican seminarians from the Legion of Christ as to what he wished for. Pope Francis chose THIS footballer as his favourite. Hint: It's not Messi or Maradona He said he needed 'some tequila' for his knee. This had the seminarians in stitches. They promised to bring him a bottle of tequila if they visited him at Santa Marta. A prayer for humour and a famous meeting with comedians Pope Francis's wit was often compared to that of Pope St. John XXIII. This was in full display when he met a bunch of comedians, including some top names from the US, at the Vatican in 2024. ‘Who am I to judge’: Stance on LGBTQ, surrogacy among most contentious moments of Pope Francis’ papacy He stressed the importance of humour and shared that he uses St Thomas More’s prayer for good humour, which goes: “Grant me, O Lord, a good sense of humour.” Can we make fun of God? According to Pope, it is fine to make fun of God as long as the joke is not offensive Pope Francis and the beautiful game: A pontiff who found joy and faith in football “Of course, we can [make fun of God], just as we play and joke with the people we love,” he said during the 2024 audience with more than 100 comedians. "In the midst of so much gloomy news, immersed as we are in many social and even personal emergencies, you have the power to spread peace and smiles," he told them. A sandwich for the guard Once, Pope Francis had an interaction with a member of the Swiss Guard who was among his security detail. The pontiff learned that the guardsman could not sit down for long time, as he was ordered to stand for the pontiff's protection. "Is that so?", he asked, and then said "well, I am the Pope, and I ask you to sit down." He then went and fetched a sandwich, and gave the same to the guard. A Fiat ride in Washington DC The pope often showed a child-like innocence, which made him endearing to millions of his followers. He could be considered one of the wealthiest people in the world, given the Catholic Church's fortunes, but the Pope remained humble too. Swiss Guard began rehearsing for Pope Francis' funeral after he warned his close aides he 'might not make it this time' One such instance happened in Washington DC, during his US visit in 2015. Instead of luxury vehicles, the pope chose to ride on a small Fiat 500L. Reports at the time said the car was priced around $20,000 dollars much lower than luxury vehicles. As the leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis had access to various cars, including luxury vehicles like a Lamborghini, which he was gifted, but chose to auction off for charity.

Pope Francis, the playful pontiff - Remembering the humour sense and kind-hearted  gestures of beloved pope who died at age of 88

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/pope-francis">Pope Francis</a>, the first Latin American pope in the history of the Roman Catholic Church, died at the age of 88, the Vatican confirmed in a video statement on Monday (April 21). His death comes after a 12-year papacy.
Four&nbsp;Serie A matches scheduled to take place on Monday have been postponed to a later date following the death of Pope Francis, the Italian top flight said in a statement.&nbsp;Udinese's game at Torino, Fiorentina's visit to Cagliari, Genoa's match against Lazio and Juventus' trip to Parma will be rescheduled.
A number of Serie A clubs posted tributes to the Pope following his passing. "A loss that deeply saddens our city and the entire world," a Roma statement read.
<h2 class="ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10">'A passionate football supporter'</h2>
However, not many are aware that the 88-year-old was a known football fan and had supported Argentine side San Lorenzo since he was a child.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/pope-francis-death-news-hollywood-debut-in-2018-film-cannes-premiere-8985652">Pope Francis made his big screen debut in this 2018 film which premiered at Cannes</a>
His successor enjoyed Mozart, but for Pope Francis, 'the most beautiful game' was football, which served as both an educational tool and a means to promote peace.&nbsp;
Pope Francis welcomed some of the greatest stars of football, from his Argentine compatriots <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/lionel-messi">Lionel Messi</a> and the late <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/diego-maradona">Diego Maradona</a> to Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Gianluigi Buffon, at the Vatican, signing dozens of shirts and balls he got from all over the world.
<h2>'It was romantic football'</h2>
Recalling his childhood, he remembered playing on the streets of Buenos Aires with a ball made from rags.&nbsp;San Lorenzo club in Buenos Aires was the epicenter of his loyalty, as he would go watch the matches with his father and brothers, which turned him into an inseperable fanatic of football.
&ldquo;It was romantic football,&rdquo; he reminisced.&nbsp;
Even after becoming Pope, he continued being a member of the club and caused a minor uproar when he accepted a membership card from Boca Juniors, the club&rsquo;s rivals, as part of an educational partnership with the Vatican.
Along with one of the Swiss guards, Francis was updated on the club&rsquo;s progress. The guard would leave the results and the league tables on his desk.
Francis held giant masses in football stadiums during international visits, which is no different than seeing the sport as a religion.&nbsp;French Bishop Emmanuel Gobilliard, the Vatican Olympic delegate for Paris 2024, expressed that he comprehended the significance of football in someone's life. &nbsp;&nbsp;
&ldquo;It is a fact that regardless of the different social classes, whether you are a footballer, a football viewer, or a football fan, it does not matter, it is a way of life,&rdquo; he was quoted in a statement given to AFP. &nbsp;
Yet football was not just a passion, &ldquo;For Francis, a Jesuit born in Argentina, football was another means for promoting education and peace, especially when there is so much money, violence, and corruption involved in its administration.&rdquo; &nbsp;
&ldquo;Francis has called for a number of initiatives, as was the case in 2014 when the Olympic stadium in Rome hosted an interreligious match for peace,&rdquo; the article stated.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pope-francis-papacy-showered-with-love-and-marred-by-controversy-8985584">Pope Francis' papacy showered with love and marred by controversy</a>
In 2019, Pope Francis said, &ldquo;Many say that football is the most beautiful game in the world. I think so too.&rdquo; "Reminding them of their social obligations is crucial,&rdquo; Francis said in a message directed toward the Italian and Argentinian national football teams back in 2013. He also cautioned against &lsquo;business&rsquo; football. &nbsp;
Gobillard states that in the same way as religion, football's goal is &lsquo;to put the whole in front of the individual.&rsquo;&rdquo;&nbsp;&ldquo;We serve a purpose far greater than ourselves, both individually and collectively.&rdquo;
The pontiff's love for the game inspired a scene in Netflix's hit film "The Two Popes", in which former pope Benedict XVI and then-cardinal Jorge Bergoglio watch the 2014 World Cup final between their two countries, Germany and Argentina.
It was pure fiction, as the soon-to-be Francis gave up watching television in 1990 -- the year the then West Germany beat Argentina in the World Cup final hosted by Italy -- while his predecessor preferred classical music and reading.&nbsp;
But he dedicated an entire chapter in his 2024 autobiography to Maradona, whose infamous "hand of God" goal helped Argentina beat England in their 1986 World Cup quarter-final clash.
"When, as pope, I received Maradona in the Vatican a few years ago... I asked him, jokingly, 'So, which is the guilty hand?'" he said in 2024.

Pope Francis News: Pope Francis welcomed some of greatest stars of football, from Lionel Messi, late Diego Maradona to Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Gianluigi Buffon, at the Vatican

Pope Francis, the first Latin American pope in the history of the Roman Catholic Church, died at the age of 88, the Vatican confirmed in a video statement on Monday (April 21). His death comes after a 12-year papacy. Four Serie A matches scheduled to take place on Monday have been postponed to a later date following the death of Pope Francis, the Italian top flight said in a statement. Udinese's game at Torino, Fiorentina's visit to Cagliari, Genoa's match against Lazio and Juventus' trip to Parma will be rescheduled. A number of Serie A clubs posted tributes to the Pope following his passing. "A loss that deeply saddens our city and the entire world," a Roma statement read. 'A passionate football supporter' However, not many are aware that the 88-year-old was a known football fan and had supported Argentine side San Lorenzo since he was a child. Also Read: Pope Francis made his big screen debut in this 2018 film which premiered at Cannes His successor enjoyed Mozart, but for Pope Francis, 'the most beautiful game' was football, which served as both an educational tool and a means to promote peace. Pope Francis welcomed some of the greatest stars of football, from his Argentine compatriots Lionel Messi and the late Diego Maradona to Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Gianluigi Buffon, at the Vatican, signing dozens of shirts and balls he got from all over the world. 'It was romantic football' Recalling his childhood, he remembered playing on the streets of Buenos Aires with a ball made from rags. San Lorenzo club in Buenos Aires was the epicenter of his loyalty, as he would go watch the matches with his father and brothers, which turned him into an inseperable fanatic of football. “It was romantic football,” he reminisced. Even after becoming Pope, he continued being a member of the club and caused a minor uproar when he accepted a membership card from Boca Juniors, the club’s rivals, as part of an educational partnership with the Vatican. Along with one of the Swiss guards, Francis was updated on the club’s progress. The guard would leave the results and the league tables on his desk. Francis held giant masses in football stadiums during international visits, which is no different than seeing the sport as a religion. French Bishop Emmanuel Gobilliard, the Vatican Olympic delegate for Paris 2024, expressed that he comprehended the significance of football in someone's life. “It is a fact that regardless of the different social classes, whether you are a footballer, a football viewer, or a football fan, it does not matter, it is a way of life,” he was quoted in a statement given to AFP. Yet football was not just a passion, “For Francis, a Jesuit born in Argentina, football was another means for promoting education and peace, especially when there is so much money, violence, and corruption involved in its administration.” “Francis has called for a number of initiatives, as was the case in 2014 when the Olympic stadium in Rome hosted an interreligious match for peace,” the article stated. Also Read: Pope Francis' papacy showered with love and marred by controversy In 2019, Pope Francis said, “Many say that football is the most beautiful game in the world. I think so too.” "Reminding them of their social obligations is crucial,” Francis said in a message directed toward the Italian and Argentinian national football teams back in 2013. He also cautioned against ‘business’ football. Gobillard states that in the same way as religion, football's goal is ‘to put the whole in front of the individual.’” “We serve a purpose far greater than ourselves, both individually and collectively.” The pontiff's love for the game inspired a scene in Netflix's hit film "The Two Popes", in which former pope Benedict XVI and then-cardinal Jorge Bergoglio watch the 2014 World Cup final between their two countries, Germany and Argentina. It was pure fiction, as the soon-to-be Francis gave up watching television in 1990 -- the year the then West Germany beat Argentina in the World Cup final hosted by Italy -- while his predecessor preferred classical music and reading. But he dedicated an entire chapter in his 2024 autobiography to Maradona, whose infamous "hand of God" goal helped Argentina beat England in their 1986 World Cup quarter-final clash. "When, as pope, I received Maradona in the Vatican a few years ago... I asked him, jokingly, 'So, which is the guilty hand?'" he said in 2024.

Pope Francis and the beautiful game: A pontiff who found joy and faith in football

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/pope-francis">Pope Francis</a> died on Monday (April 21), aged 88, a day after making a much hoped-for appearance at Saint Peter's Square on Easter Sunday, the Vatican said in a statement.
<div class="post-content">
"This morning at 7:35 am (0535 GMT) the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father," said Cardinal Kevin Farrell in the statement published by the Vatican on its Telegram channel.
It is a loss for many as the world mourns a spiritual icon. Global football followers, however, seem to be more concerned about one of the surprising legacies he leaves behind: His views on who the greatest footballer of all time really is.
<h2>'He was a man with a big heart'</h2>
An Argentinian to the core, and lifelong San Lorenzo de Buenos Aires fan, Pope Francis shocked his countrymen when he, in an interview, claimed Pele, the Brazilian football legend, to be the greatest footballer that ever lived, surpassing Argentina&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/diego-maradona">Diego Maradona</a> and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/lionel-messi">Lionel Messi</a>.
After Lionel Messi won his eighth <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/ballon-d-or">Ballon d&rsquo;Or</a>, Italian TV channel Rai 1 journalist Gian Marco Chiocci asked the pope during an interview who he&rsquo;d rather have, Messi or Maradona. &ldquo;I would add a third one, Pel&eacute;,&rdquo; replied Pope Francis. &ldquo;They are the three that I have seen play.&rdquo;
&ldquo;Maradona was great as a player, but as a man, he failed,&rdquo; added Francis. &ldquo;The poor man slipped, with an entourage that praised him but didn&rsquo;t help him. He came to see me here during the first year of my pontificate. Then, unfortunately, he died.&rdquo;
The Pope commented on the difficult conditions in which many footballers and boxers find themselves in their last years, often in poverty and poor health. He called the situation &ldquo;very curious.&rdquo;
&ldquo;Messi is a gentleman, but for me, among these three, the greatest is Pel&eacute;,&rdquo; Pope Francis said. &ldquo;He was a man with a very big heart. I spoke with him, met him on a plane in Buenos Aires, and he was a man of great humanity.&rdquo; His answer surprised many, considering the heated footballing rivalry between Argentina and Brazil.
</div>
<ul class="blog-updates" id="live_blog_updates_8484772"></ul>

Pope Francis: The 88-year-old was football fan and had supported Argentine side San Lorenzo since he was a child. He would go watch matches with his father and brothers

Pope Francis died on Monday (April 21), aged 88, a day after making a much hoped-for appearance at Saint Peter's Square on Easter Sunday, the Vatican said in a statement. "This morning at 7:35 am (0535 GMT) the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father," said Cardinal Kevin Farrell in the statement published by the Vatican on its Telegram channel. It is a loss for many as the world mourns a spiritual icon. Global football followers, however, seem to be more concerned about one of the surprising legacies he leaves behind: His views on who the greatest footballer of all time really is. 'He was a man with a big heart' An Argentinian to the core, and lifelong San Lorenzo de Buenos Aires fan, Pope Francis shocked his countrymen when he, in an interview, claimed Pele, the Brazilian football legend, to be the greatest footballer that ever lived, surpassing Argentina’s Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi. After Lionel Messi won his eighth Ballon d’Or, Italian TV channel Rai 1 journalist Gian Marco Chiocci asked the pope during an interview who he’d rather have, Messi or Maradona. “I would add a third one, Pelé,” replied Pope Francis. “They are the three that I have seen play.” “Maradona was great as a player, but as a man, he failed,” added Francis. “The poor man slipped, with an entourage that praised him but didn’t help him. He came to see me here during the first year of my pontificate. Then, unfortunately, he died.” The Pope commented on the difficult conditions in which many footballers and boxers find themselves in their last years, often in poverty and poor health. He called the situation “very curious.” “Messi is a gentleman, but for me, among these three, the greatest is Pelé,” Pope Francis said. “He was a man with a very big heart. I spoke with him, met him on a plane in Buenos Aires, and he was a man of great humanity.” His answer surprised many, considering the heated footballing rivalry between Argentina and Brazil.

Pope Francis chose THIS footballer as his favourite. Hint: It's not Messi or Maradona

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/pope-francis">Pope Francis</a>, the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State, died at the age of 88 on Monday (Apr 21). The pontiff spent about five weeks in hospital battling against pneumonia for five weeks, but was discharged on March 23 after his health improved.
The demise of the pontiff, who was the first Latin American pope in the history of the Roman Catholic Church, comes after a 12-year papacy.
Just a day earlier on Sunday (Apr 20), the Pope made a public appearance on the occasion of Easter, where 35,000 gathered in St. Peter&rsquo;s Square to hear his message. As per tradition, he delivered the &ldquo;Urbi et Orbi&rdquo; blessing, which means &ldquo;to the city and the world.&rdquo;
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pope-francis-dies-at-88-latin-americas-first-pontiff-leaves-behind-powerful-easter-message-8985074">Pope Francis dies at 88: Latin America&rsquo;s first pontiff leaves behind powerful Easter message</a>
Pope Francis&rsquo; last message was read aloud by Archbishop Diego Ravelli, in which he called for peace in war-torn regions like Gaza, Ukraine, Congo and Myanmar.
<h2>Who was Pope Francis?</h2>
Born in December 1936 in Buenos Aires, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the Jesuit Archbishop of Buenos Aires, was a prominent figure across the Americas, yet was known for his simplicity and deeply loved by his diocese.
Pope Francis was the first pope from South America and the first from the Jesuit order. He brought several reforms to the church and promoted unity between Catholics, non-Catholics and non-Christians.
The pontiff often said, &ldquo;My people are poor, and I am one of them.&rdquo; He lived in an apartment and cooked his own meals. Pope Francis believed that &ldquo;trampling upon a person&rsquo;s dignity is a serious sin&rdquo; and always advised his priests to show mercy and apostolic courage.&nbsp;
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-am-i-to-judge-stance-on-lgbtq-surrogacy-among-most-contentious-moments-of-pope-francis-papacy-8985804">&lsquo;Who am I to judge&rsquo;: Stance on LGBTQ, surrogacy among most contentious moments of Pope Francis&rsquo; papacy</a>
He was born into a family of Italian immigrants&mdash;his father, Mario, was an accountant employed by the railways, while his mother, Regina Sivori, was a dedicated wife who raised him and his four siblings.
<h2>Pope Francis' journey of priesthood</h2>
A chemical technician, Pope Francis chose the path of priesthood and entered the Diocesan Seminary of Villa Devoto. In 1958, he joined the novitiate of the Society of Jesus.
He then turned to academics and studied humanities in Chile. After this, he returned to Argentina in 1963, where he completed a degree in philosophy. For the next three years, he taught literature and psychology while studying theology.
In December 1969, he was ordained a priest and took his final vows in the Jesuit order in 1973. In 1973, he was appointed Provincial of the Jesuits in Argentina, where he remained for the next six years.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pope-francis-passes-away-at-88-pope-francis-and-the-beautiful-game-a-pontiff-who-found-joy-and-faith-in-football-8985544">Pope Francis and the beautiful game: A pontiff who found joy and faith in football</a>
A military coup happened in Argentina in 1976 when he was the head of the country&rsquo;s Jesuits, during which he helped several people hide from authorities and even assisted some to escape the country. However, he faced controversy for failing to protect two Jesuit priests who went missing but were later found alive after five months.
He resumed teaching in 1980 and went on to pursue theology in Germany in 1986. In 1992, he was appointed as the Auxiliary Bishop of Buenos Aires. He was raised to the Archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998 and was declared a Cardinal in 2001.
<h2>Pope's advocacy of social causes</h2>
Pope Francis was an outspoken advocate for the poor and promoted the church&rsquo;s position in social matters with government officials.&nbsp;
He asked his followers not to come to Rome to celebrate his naming as Cardinal, but rather to offer to the poor on their journey during the economic crisis in Argentina in the late 1990s.
Watch | Pope Francis death: Final appearance on Easter Sunday before his death | Watch moment
<iframe width="600" height="auto" style="width: 100%; aspect-ratio: 4/3;" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" class="external-video publive-iframes-block" src="https://cdn.thepublive.com/wion/static/kaltura_player/wion_video_player_iframe.html?thumbnail=wion/media/post_attachments/screenshot/2404_WION_ORG_POP_FRANCIS_DIES_AT_88_WEB_NEW/00000002.jpg&amp;videourl=https://vodakm.zeenews.com/vod/WION/2404_WION_ORG_POP_FRANCIS_DIES_AT_88_WEB_NEW.mp4/index.m3u8&amp;duration=99&amp;tags=Pope Francis, World News, WION" title="Pope Francis death: Final appearance on Easter Sunday before his death | Watch moment" id="PL_iframe_block-m9qzh9qw-xahz19oz-m51oems6"></iframe>
Despite gaining popularity in Latin America, rather than living in the archbishop&rsquo;s residence, Pope Francis lived in a simple downtown apartment and travels by public transportation or on foot.
In 2013, he was elected as the Supreme Pontiff and held the position until he passed away on Monday (Apr 21).

Pope Francis was the first pope from South America and the first from the Jesuit order. He brought several reforms to the church and promoted unity between Catholics, non-Catholics and non-Christians. World | Trending

Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State, died at the age of 88 on Monday (Apr 21). The pontiff spent about five weeks in hospital battling against pneumonia for five weeks, but was discharged on March 23 after his health improved. The demise of the pontiff, who was the first Latin American pope in the history of the Roman Catholic Church, comes after a 12-year papacy. Just a day earlier on Sunday (Apr 20), the Pope made a public appearance on the occasion of Easter, where 35,000 gathered in St. Peter’s Square to hear his message. As per tradition, he delivered the “Urbi et Orbi” blessing, which means “to the city and the world.” Also read | Pope Francis dies at 88: Latin America’s first pontiff leaves behind powerful Easter message Pope Francis’ last message was read aloud by Archbishop Diego Ravelli, in which he called for peace in war-torn regions like Gaza, Ukraine, Congo and Myanmar. Who was Pope Francis? Born in December 1936 in Buenos Aires, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the Jesuit Archbishop of Buenos Aires, was a prominent figure across the Americas, yet was known for his simplicity and deeply loved by his diocese. Pope Francis was the first pope from South America and the first from the Jesuit order. He brought several reforms to the church and promoted unity between Catholics, non-Catholics and non-Christians. The pontiff often said, “My people are poor, and I am one of them.” He lived in an apartment and cooked his own meals. Pope Francis believed that “trampling upon a person’s dignity is a serious sin” and always advised his priests to show mercy and apostolic courage. Also read | ‘Who am I to judge’: Stance on LGBTQ, surrogacy among most contentious moments of Pope Francis’ papacy He was born into a family of Italian immigrants—his father, Mario, was an accountant employed by the railways, while his mother, Regina Sivori, was a dedicated wife who raised him and his four siblings. Pope Francis' journey of priesthood A chemical technician, Pope Francis chose the path of priesthood and entered the Diocesan Seminary of Villa Devoto. In 1958, he joined the novitiate of the Society of Jesus. He then turned to academics and studied humanities in Chile. After this, he returned to Argentina in 1963, where he completed a degree in philosophy. For the next three years, he taught literature and psychology while studying theology. In December 1969, he was ordained a priest and took his final vows in the Jesuit order in 1973. In 1973, he was appointed Provincial of the Jesuits in Argentina, where he remained for the next six years. Also read | Pope Francis and the beautiful game: A pontiff who found joy and faith in football A military coup happened in Argentina in 1976 when he was the head of the country’s Jesuits, during which he helped several people hide from authorities and even assisted some to escape the country. However, he faced controversy for failing to protect two Jesuit priests who went missing but were later found alive after five months. He resumed teaching in 1980 and went on to pursue theology in Germany in 1986. In 1992, he was appointed as the Auxiliary Bishop of Buenos Aires. He was raised to the Archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998 and was declared a Cardinal in 2001. Pope's advocacy of social causes Pope Francis was an outspoken advocate for the poor and promoted the church’s position in social matters with government officials. He asked his followers not to come to Rome to celebrate his naming as Cardinal, but rather to offer to the poor on their journey during the economic crisis in Argentina in the late 1990s. Watch | Pope Francis death: Final appearance on Easter Sunday before his death | Watch moment Despite gaining popularity in Latin America, rather than living in the archbishop’s residence, Pope Francis lived in a simple downtown apartment and travels by public transportation or on foot. In 2013, he was elected as the Supreme Pontiff and held the position until he passed away on Monday (Apr 21).

Who was Pope Francis? Beloved pontiff passes away at 88

Pope Francis died Monday morning, Cardinal Kevin Ferrell, the Vatican camerlengo, announced.

“At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his Church,″ Farrell said in the announcement.

“He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with faithfulness, courage, and universal love, especially for the poorest and most marginalized.

Pope Francis dies: Latin America's first pontiff leaves behind powerful Easter message

Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the first Jesuit and Latin American pontiff and 266th leader of the Roman Catholic Church, died on Easter Monday, leaving behind a multi-hued legacy, and will be remembered for ushering in a progressive era for the Vatican. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, to two Italian immigrants in 1936, he worked as a bouncer, a janitor, and a chemical technician in the food-processing industry before entering the seminary. He selected the name Francis, after St. Francis of Assisi, who he described as &ldquo;a man of poverty and of peace&rdquo; and chose to live in a simple downtown apartment instead of the archbishop&rsquo;s residence, and travelled by foot or public transport rather than chauffeured limousine. He also used a more colloquial language in communication, renouncing the usual papal pomp.&nbsp;
However, his pontificate was marked by significant divisions within the Church. His positions on topics such as LGBTQ+ rights, priestly celibacy, and the role of women in the Church faced resistance from conservative factions. Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pope-francis-dies-at-88-latin-americas-first-pontiff-leaves-behind-powerful-easter-message-8985074">Pope Francis dies at 88: Latin America&rsquo;s first pontiff leaves behind powerful Easter message</a>
<h2>LGBTQ+ community policies</h2>
 A hallmark of Pope Francis&rsquo; pontificate was his openness to the LGBTQ+ community, as summarised in his famous quote, &ldquo;If a person is gay and seeks the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?&rdquo;&nbsp; But his openness was not so evident always and his refusal to accept Laurent Stefanini, a homosexual French diplomat, in the Vatican&rsquo;s Holy See led to a debate. In another statement that sparked doubts about his progressive stance, he said,. &ldquo;There is too much homosexuality in the Vatican.&rdquo;&nbsp; He allowed blessings for homosexual people but refused to sanction same-sex marriages within the Church.
Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-could-be-the-next-pontiff-after-pope-francis-heres-the-list-of-potential-successors-8737312" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Pope Francis dies at 88: Who could be the next pontiff? Here's the list of potential&nbsp;successors</a> In 2024, during a closed-door meeting with Italian bishops, the pope used a vulgar and derogatory term about gay men while reaffirming the Catholic Church&rsquo;s ban on gay priests, highlighting the apparent divergence in his pastoral outreach and personal views. He later apologised for using the homophobic term.
His stance drew criticism from conservatives who felt he was straying from traditional teachings.&nbsp; In December 2023, Pope Francis allowed Catholic priests to bless same-sex couples, provided the blessings are not part of regular Church rituals or liturgies.
<h2>Communion for divorced and remarried&nbsp;</h2>
 Pope Francis&rsquo; admission of the communion sacrament to divorced couples, historically disowned by the Church, was hailed as a great revolution.&nbsp; &ldquo;If there is no love anymore it does not deny the sacrament,&rdquo; stated Francis in 2019, admitting the possibility of divorce into the Christian faith. The move was hailed by progressives as a step towards greater mercy and inclusion but triggered opposition from conservatives who said it undermines the sanctity of marriage.
<h2>Conservative views on birth control, abortion and surrogacy&nbsp;</h2>
 Pope Francis expressed conservative views on other matters of sexual ethics and like his predecessors, he emphatically condemned birth control, abortion, in vitro fertilisation, and surrogacy, as they are seen to violate natural law. In his later years, the pope called pornography a &ldquo;scourge&rdquo; that constitutes a grave &ldquo;threat to public health&rdquo;, and said that &ldquo;the experience of sexuality is impoverished&rdquo; by contraception. In January 2024, he made headlines after describing surrogate motherhood as &ldquo;deplorable&rdquo; and calling for an international ban. Pope Francis described the practice as being a &ldquo;grave violation of the dignity of the woman and the child, based on the exploitation of situations of the mother&rsquo;s material needs&rdquo;.
Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pope-francis-medical-team-wanted-to-end-his-treatment-to-let-him-die-in-peace-8890342" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">When Pope Francis&rsquo; medical team wanted to stop his treatment, let him &lsquo;die in peace&rsquo;</a>
<h2>Handling of sexual abuse scandals</h2>
 One of the greatest challenges for the Church during Francis&rsquo; papacy was the clerical sexual abuse crisis. Francis enforced mandatory reporting and protection of whistleblowers, but his actions were seen as insufficient. His initial defence of Chilean Bishop Juan Barros, accused of covering up abuse, led to public outcry and eventual apologies from the Vatican.
Months after his appointment in 2013, Pope Francis called on the Catholic Church to &ldquo;act decisively&rdquo; against paedophile priests. He said the Church must take measures to protect young people, help victims, and ensure the perpetrators are punished.&nbsp; He met sexual abuse victims and offered sincere apologies, but critics say he didn&rsquo;t do much, particularly in punishing and defrocking sexual offenders. He then made extensive changes in the Vatican&rsquo;s Code of Canon Law, the in-house legal system of the Catholic Church, addressing shortcomings in the handling of sexual abuse. It removed much of the discretion that allowed bishops and religious superiors to ignore or cover up abuse.
<h2>Role of women&nbsp;</h2>
 In November 2023, Pope Francis called on members of the International Theological Commission to &ldquo;demasculinise the Church&rdquo;, and said, &ldquo;Women have a different capacity for theological reflection than we men.&rdquo; Nevertheless, he supported a male-only priesthood.
Watch:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/pope-francis-death-pope-francis-has-died-the-vatican-camerlengo-announces-8985260" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Pope Francis death: Pope Francis has died, the Vatican Camerlengo announces</a>
<h2>Unafraid of breaking conventions</h2>
 Pope Francis was unafraid of breaking convention, and in December 2023, he revealed his plan to be buried in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, in honour of his devotion to the Virgin Mary. The Roman site is almost 5 kilometres from the Vatican. He will be the first pontiff to be buried in Santa Maria Maggiore since 1669, breaking the tradition of popes being laid to rest in the grottos beneath St Peter&rsquo;s Basilica in the Vatican.
&nbsp;

World: Pope Francis’ pontificate was marked by significant divisions within the Church, and his positions on topics such as LGBTQ+ rights, priestly celibacy, and the role of women in the Church faced resistance from conservative factions.

Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the first Jesuit and Latin American pontiff and 266th leader of the Roman Catholic Church, died on Easter Monday, leaving behind a multi-hued legacy, and will be remembered for ushering in a progressive era for the Vatican. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, to two Italian immigrants in 1936, he worked as a bouncer, a janitor, and a chemical technician in the food-processing industry before entering the seminary. He selected the name Francis, after St. Francis of Assisi, who he described as “a man of poverty and of peace” and chose to live in a simple downtown apartment instead of the archbishop’s residence, and travelled by foot or public transport rather than chauffeured limousine. He also used a more colloquial language in communication, renouncing the usual papal pomp. However, his pontificate was marked by significant divisions within the Church. His positions on topics such as LGBTQ+ rights, priestly celibacy, and the role of women in the Church faced resistance from conservative factions. Also Read | Pope Francis dies at 88: Latin America’s first pontiff leaves behind powerful Easter message LGBTQ+ community policies A hallmark of Pope Francis’ pontificate was his openness to the LGBTQ+ community, as summarised in his famous quote, “If a person is gay and seeks the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?” But his openness was not so evident always and his refusal to accept Laurent Stefanini, a homosexual French diplomat, in the Vatican’s Holy See led to a debate. In another statement that sparked doubts about his progressive stance, he said,. “There is too much homosexuality in the Vatican.” He allowed blessings for homosexual people but refused to sanction same-sex marriages within the Church. Also read: Pope Francis dies at 88: Who could be the next pontiff? Here's the list of potential successors In 2024, during a closed-door meeting with Italian bishops, the pope used a vulgar and derogatory term about gay men while reaffirming the Catholic Church’s ban on gay priests, highlighting the apparent divergence in his pastoral outreach and personal views. He later apologised for using the homophobic term. His stance drew criticism from conservatives who felt he was straying from traditional teachings. In December 2023, Pope Francis allowed Catholic priests to bless same-sex couples, provided the blessings are not part of regular Church rituals or liturgies. Communion for divorced and remarried Pope Francis’ admission of the communion sacrament to divorced couples, historically disowned by the Church, was hailed as a great revolution. “If there is no love anymore it does not deny the sacrament,” stated Francis in 2019, admitting the possibility of divorce into the Christian faith. The move was hailed by progressives as a step towards greater mercy and inclusion but triggered opposition from conservatives who said it undermines the sanctity of marriage. Conservative views on birth control, abortion and surrogacy Pope Francis expressed conservative views on other matters of sexual ethics and like his predecessors, he emphatically condemned birth control, abortion, in vitro fertilisation, and surrogacy, as they are seen to violate natural law. In his later years, the pope called pornography a “scourge” that constitutes a grave “threat to public health”, and said that “the experience of sexuality is impoverished” by contraception. In January 2024, he made headlines after describing surrogate motherhood as “deplorable” and calling for an international ban. Pope Francis described the practice as being a “grave violation of the dignity of the woman and the child, based on the exploitation of situations of the mother’s material needs”. Also read: When Pope Francis’ medical team wanted to stop his treatment, let him ‘die in peace’ Handling of sexual abuse scandals One of the greatest challenges for the Church during Francis’ papacy was the clerical sexual abuse crisis. Francis enforced mandatory reporting and protection of whistleblowers, but his actions were seen as insufficient. His initial defence of Chilean Bishop Juan Barros, accused of covering up abuse, led to public outcry and eventual apologies from the Vatican. Months after his appointment in 2013, Pope Francis called on the Catholic Church to “act decisively” against paedophile priests. He said the Church must take measures to protect young people, help victims, and ensure the perpetrators are punished. He met sexual abuse victims and offered sincere apologies, but critics say he didn’t do much, particularly in punishing and defrocking sexual offenders. He then made extensive changes in the Vatican’s Code of Canon Law, the in-house legal system of the Catholic Church, addressing shortcomings in the handling of sexual abuse. It removed much of the discretion that allowed bishops and religious superiors to ignore or cover up abuse. Role of women In November 2023, Pope Francis called on members of the International Theological Commission to “demasculinise the Church”, and said, “Women have a different capacity for theological reflection than we men.” Nevertheless, he supported a male-only priesthood. Watch: Pope Francis death: Pope Francis has died, the Vatican Camerlengo announces Unafraid of breaking conventions Pope Francis was unafraid of breaking convention, and in December 2023, he revealed his plan to be buried in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, in honour of his devotion to the Virgin Mary. The Roman site is almost 5 kilometres from the Vatican. He will be the first pontiff to be buried in Santa Maria Maggiore since 1669, breaking the tradition of popes being laid to rest in the grottos beneath St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.

‘Who am I to judge’: Stance on LGBTQ, surrogacy among most contentious moments of Pope Francis’ papacy

Pope Francis died at the age of 88 and left the Christian community mourning for the tragic loss. He was the first Latin American pope in the history of the Roman Catholic Church. The Vatican confirmed Pope Francis&rsquo; death in a video statement on Monday (April 21).&nbsp;
While Christians all around the world mourn the loss of the religious leader, these are some Hollywood A-listers who were greatly impressed by Pope Francis.&nbsp;
Here&rsquo;s a look at what these celebrities said in awe of Pope Francis:&nbsp;
Russell Crowe: "Look I'm not Catholic, I've never felt any connection with any previous pope, but I like this guy! He's changing the tone of the way you regard the Pope, and I think it is a magnificent thing. I was very privileged and humbled to be in that environment."
Oprah Winfrey: "Your holiness, I wanted to take a moment to extend my warmest welcome to you. I hold your life and work in the highest esteem."
Martin Sheen: "That's really the vigor of Christ on Earth, to be that human. Man, this guy, Francis. Give thanks and praise."
Mark Wahlberg: "As a Catholic, I credit much of my success to my faith.&rdquo;
Jane Fonda: "Gotta love new Pope. He cares about poor, hates dogma."
<h2 class="gh-archive-page-post-title"><a class="gh-archive-page-post-title-link" href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/when-hollywood-star-mark-walhlberg-had-to-seek-apology-from-pope-francis-for-this-film-8985304" aria-label="When Hollywood star Mark Wahlberg had to seek apology from Pope Francis for this film">When Hollywood star Mark Wahlberg had to seek apology from Pope Francis for this film</a></h2>
Elton John: "He's excited me so much by his humanity and taking everything down to the humility of faith...it's all basically about love and taking everybody in inclusiveness. If Jesus Christ was alive today, I cannot see him... saying this could not happen. He was all about love and compassion and forgiveness and trying to bring people together and that is what the Church should be about."
Kerry Washington: "I think he's so special. I think he's so humble and so focused on service &mdash; just really focused on doing good in the world. Not being judgmental. Letting God be the judge."
Chris Rock: "This new pope is like the Floyd Mayweather of popes. I might be crazy but I got this weird feeling that the new pope might be the greatest man alive."
Jimmy Kimmel: "More like Pope Fran...tastic!"
<h2 class="gh-archive-page-post-title"><a class="gh-archive-page-post-title-link" href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/pope-francis-death-news-hollywood-debut-in-2018-film-cannes-premiere-8985652" aria-label="Pope Francis made his big screen debut in this 2018 film which premiered at Cannes">Pope Francis made his big screen debut in this 2018 film which premiered at Cannes</a></h2>
Maria Shriver: "This pope is inspiring for me as an American, as a woman, as a Catholic. It was really very moving to be here."

Entertainment Pope Francis was extremely famous with Hollywood celebrities. From Jimmy Kimmel to Jane Fonda and Oprah Winfrey, here's what all these celebs said about him.

Pope Francis died at the age of 88 and left the Christian community mourning for the tragic loss. He was the first Latin American pope in the history of the Roman Catholic Church. The Vatican confirmed Pope Francis’ death in a video statement on Monday (April 21). While Christians all around the world mourn the loss of the religious leader, these are some Hollywood A-listers who were greatly impressed by Pope Francis. Here’s a look at what these celebrities said in awe of Pope Francis: Russell Crowe: "Look I'm not Catholic, I've never felt any connection with any previous pope, but I like this guy! He's changing the tone of the way you regard the Pope, and I think it is a magnificent thing. I was very privileged and humbled to be in that environment." Oprah Winfrey: "Your holiness, I wanted to take a moment to extend my warmest welcome to you. I hold your life and work in the highest esteem." Martin Sheen: "That's really the vigor of Christ on Earth, to be that human. Man, this guy, Francis. Give thanks and praise." Mark Wahlberg: "As a Catholic, I credit much of my success to my faith.” Jane Fonda: "Gotta love new Pope. He cares about poor, hates dogma." When Hollywood star Mark Wahlberg had to seek apology from Pope Francis for this film Elton John: "He's excited me so much by his humanity and taking everything down to the humility of faith...it's all basically about love and taking everybody in inclusiveness. If Jesus Christ was alive today, I cannot see him... saying this could not happen. He was all about love and compassion and forgiveness and trying to bring people together and that is what the Church should be about." Kerry Washington: "I think he's so special. I think he's so humble and so focused on service — just really focused on doing good in the world. Not being judgmental. Letting God be the judge." Chris Rock: "This new pope is like the Floyd Mayweather of popes. I might be crazy but I got this weird feeling that the new pope might be the greatest man alive." Jimmy Kimmel: "More like Pope Fran...tastic!" Pope Francis made his big screen debut in this 2018 film which premiered at Cannes Maria Shriver: "This pope is inspiring for me as an American, as a woman, as a Catholic. It was really very moving to be here."

Oprah Winfrey, Chris Rock and other celebrities you didn't know were big fans of Pope Francis

Pope Francis, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church has died on April 21. This has ended an often turbulent reign marked by division and tension. Pope Francis sought to overhaul the institution. He was 88, and had survived a serious bout of double pneumonia. Watch in for more details!

Pope Francis death: Final appearance on Easter Sunday before his death | Watch moment

Pope Francis death: Tributes pour in as beloved Catholic leader dies at 88

Pope Francis Quotes: Pope Francis is no more. The first Latin American pope in the Roman Catholic Church's history died at the age of 88, the Vatican confirmed on Monday (April 21). 

Quotes | Pope Francis (1936–2025): His most inspiring words that touched the world

Vatican's first Latin American pontiff, Pope Francis, died at 88. An announcement from the Vatican numbed the Christian community across the globe. Many of his followers had gathered to pray for the pontiff while his health was not in great shape and he was being treated in the hospital.
An announcement by Cardinal Kevin Farrell read: "Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of His Church. He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially in favour of the poorest and most marginalised. With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the One and Triune God."
WATCH | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/breaking-pope-francis-dies-at-88-at-his-residence-in-the-vaticans-casa-santa-marta-8985523">Breaking: Pope Francis dies at 88 at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta</a>
Pope Francis' 12-year-long papacy was filled with reforms and global outreach, and with that came some controversies.
<h3>Sex scandal:</h3>
Vatican's former ambassador had demanded that the Pope step down in 2018. This came as he was disappointed with the way the pontiff handled the sexual misconduct that involved priests. He was accused of opposing reforms to curb clerical sexual abuse of children and vulnerable adults. This is also when nuns were forced to undergo abortion after an assault.
In the case of Chilean Bishop Juan Barros, the Pope was accused of covering up paedophilia accusations and following cases. His stance highlighted the contradictions. He was initially seen defending Barros, but later it was reversed after thorough investigations.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/quotes-pope-francis-19362025-his-most-inspiring-words-that-touched-the-world-8985479">Quotes | Pope Francis (1936&ndash;2025): His most inspiring words that touched the world</a>
<h3>Views on LGBTQIA+ rights:</h3>
His papacy led to opposition for his views on the LGBTQIA+ community and rights and the debate on priestly celibacy. Pope Francis also faced resistance from conservatives for his view on the role of women in the church.
His statements were sometimes seen as oscillating; the Pope once said, &ldquo;If a person is gay and seeks the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?&ldquo; This showed his liberal mindset. But then, on another occasion, he said, "There is too much homosexuality in the Vatican."&nbsp;
Laurent Stefanini, a homosexual French diplomat, was not granted permission to enter the Vatican&rsquo;s Holy See. His stance was ambiguous, as it confused many, for it lacked consistency. He approved of blessings for homosexual people but then refrained from sanctioning same-sex marriages within the church.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

Vatican's first Latin American pontiff, Pope Francis, died at 88. An announcement from the Vatican numbed the Christian community across the globe. World

Vatican's first Latin American pontiff, Pope Francis, died at 88. An announcement from the Vatican numbed the Christian community across the globe. Many of his followers had gathered to pray for the pontiff while his health was not in great shape and he was being treated in the hospital. An announcement by Cardinal Kevin Farrell read: "Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of His Church. He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially in favour of the poorest and most marginalised. With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the One and Triune God." WATCH | Breaking: Pope Francis dies at 88 at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta Pope Francis' 12-year-long papacy was filled with reforms and global outreach, and with that came some controversies. Sex scandal: Vatican's former ambassador had demanded that the Pope step down in 2018. This came as he was disappointed with the way the pontiff handled the sexual misconduct that involved priests. He was accused of opposing reforms to curb clerical sexual abuse of children and vulnerable adults. This is also when nuns were forced to undergo abortion after an assault. In the case of Chilean Bishop Juan Barros, the Pope was accused of covering up paedophilia accusations and following cases. His stance highlighted the contradictions. He was initially seen defending Barros, but later it was reversed after thorough investigations. Also read: Quotes | Pope Francis (1936–2025): His most inspiring words that touched the world Views on LGBTQIA+ rights: His papacy led to opposition for his views on the LGBTQIA+ community and rights and the debate on priestly celibacy. Pope Francis also faced resistance from conservatives for his view on the role of women in the church. His statements were sometimes seen as oscillating; the Pope once said, “If a person is gay and seeks the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?“ This showed his liberal mindset. But then, on another occasion, he said, "There is too much homosexuality in the Vatican." Laurent Stefanini, a homosexual French diplomat, was not granted permission to enter the Vatican’s Holy See. His stance was ambiguous, as it confused many, for it lacked consistency. He approved of blessings for homosexual people but then refrained from sanctioning same-sex marriages within the church.

Pope Francis' papacy showered with love and marred by controversy

Breaking: Pope Francis dies at 88 at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta

Pope Francis dies at 88 - Black Smoke White Smoke tradition to select new Pope: Pope Francis has died at the age of 88, the Vatican announced on Monday (Apr 21). Now the world's attention will move to the election and the announcement of the next Pope. This process is steeped in tradition, and the most intriguing and anticipated part of it is the emergence of smoke from the Sistine chapel that indicates whether the final decision has been made on the next pontiff of the Roman Catholic church.
But when and why did the smoke practice arise, and what is the chemical process to create separate colours - black and white- for the smoke? Here is a quick explainer.
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<h2>Fumata, the tradition of smoke signals to announce the new pope</h2>
Fumata, the name of the tradition of using smoke signals to confirm that the Roman Catholic church cardinal conclave has reached a conclusion on the next Pope, is a centuries-old practice.
It is both about spiritual symbolism and practicality. The pope is elected by the conclave in a secret voting process.
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pope-francis-says-he-escaped-two-attempts-on-his-life-during-2021-iraq-visit-784750">When Pope Francis escaped two attempts on his life during 2021 Iraq visit</a>
In order to ensure secrecy, every ballot will have to be burned.
And 'fumata nera', or black smoke, means the voting has been inconclusive.&nbsp;White smoke, or 'fumata bianca', means a pope has been successfully elected.
<h2>When did the smoke signal practice start for announcing the new Pope?</h2>
It is not clear exactly when the smoke signal practice started, but it is thought to have begun sometime in the late medieval and early modern period.
It was formalised as a practice in the 19th century, as per Catholic church historians.
The word 'conclave', which elects the pope, has&nbsp;Latin origin, and means 'with a key'.
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pope-francis-medical-team-wanted-to-end-his-treatment-to-let-him-die-in-peace-8890342">When Pope Francis&rsquo; medical team wanted to stop his treatment, let him &lsquo;die in peace&rsquo;</a>
This is the secretive gathering of cardinals to elect the pope.
The conclave was established by&nbsp; Pope Gregory X in 1274.
Before that, conclaves did not share the information with the public on the election of the new pope.&nbsp;
Believers used to gather outside the Sistine Chapel to know about the next pope, and smoke was used as a means to communicate what was going on with the cardinal conclave's selection process.
<h2>How is black smoke and white smoke created in announcing new Pope election? The chemical process</h2>
In the olden days, the white smoke was created by burning the ballots on dry straw, and the black smoke was created using wet straw.
In the 20th century, chemical processes were introduced.
Additives were introduced in 1963 so that the smoke signals are clear and distinct.
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/beacon-of-compassion-pm-modi-grieves-pope-franciss-death-8985301">'Beacon of compassion': PM Modi grieves Pope Francis' death</a>
These days, the ballots are first buried in a stove, and the desired colour is created through specific chemical compounds. Potassium perchlorate and anthracene are added to create black smoke.
Potassium chlorate, lactose, and rosin are used for creating white smoke.
An electronically controlled, second stove with chemical cartridges was introduced in 2005 in order to avoid ambiguity.
<h2>Confusion over smoke colours to announce new Pope</h2>
The new technologies are being used for the smoke signals in view of the confusion in the past. At the 1958 conclave, the smoke colour was not clear, leading to uncertainty among the faithful.
In 2005, the smoke was reported to be greyish in colour.
Since then, the church bells in St.&nbsp;Peter's Basilica also toll as an additional signal to confirm the selection of the pope.
When Pope Francis was elected in 2013, the white smoke was clear and distinct.The bells at St Peter&rsquo;s rang out for further confirmation at the time.
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/when-hollywood-star-mark-walhlberg-had-to-seek-apology-from-pope-francis-for-this-film-8985304">When Hollywood star Mark Walhlberg had to seek apology from Pope Francis for this film</a>
Once the 'fumata' process confirms that a new pope has been elected, millions of Roman Catholicscs rejoice, with the ringing of church bells and celebrations across the world.

Pope Francis died at 88. Selecting a new Pope will begin soon, with its unique smoke signal tradition capping the event. what is the smoke signal? World | Trending

Pope Francis dies at 88 - Black Smoke White Smoke tradition to select new Pope: Pope Francis has died at the age of 88, the Vatican announced on Monday (Apr 21). Now the world's attention will move to the election and the announcement of the next Pope. This process is steeped in tradition, and the most intriguing and anticipated part of it is the emergence of smoke from the Sistine chapel that indicates whether the final decision has been made on the next pontiff of the Roman Catholic church. But when and why did the smoke practice arise, and what is the chemical process to create separate colours - black and white- for the smoke? Here is a quick explainer. Fumata, the tradition of smoke signals to announce the new pope Fumata, the name of the tradition of using smoke signals to confirm that the Roman Catholic church cardinal conclave has reached a conclusion on the next Pope, is a centuries-old practice. It is both about spiritual symbolism and practicality. The pope is elected by the conclave in a secret voting process. When Pope Francis escaped two attempts on his life during 2021 Iraq visit In order to ensure secrecy, every ballot will have to be burned. And 'fumata nera', or black smoke, means the voting has been inconclusive. White smoke, or 'fumata bianca', means a pope has been successfully elected. When did the smoke signal practice start for announcing the new Pope? It is not clear exactly when the smoke signal practice started, but it is thought to have begun sometime in the late medieval and early modern period. It was formalised as a practice in the 19th century, as per Catholic church historians. The word 'conclave', which elects the pope, has Latin origin, and means 'with a key'. When Pope Francis’ medical team wanted to stop his treatment, let him ‘die in peace’ This is the secretive gathering of cardinals to elect the pope. The conclave was established by Pope Gregory X in 1274. Before that, conclaves did not share the information with the public on the election of the new pope. Believers used to gather outside the Sistine Chapel to know about the next pope, and smoke was used as a means to communicate what was going on with the cardinal conclave's selection process. How is black smoke and white smoke created in announcing new Pope election? The chemical process In the olden days, the white smoke was created by burning the ballots on dry straw, and the black smoke was created using wet straw. In the 20th century, chemical processes were introduced. Additives were introduced in 1963 so that the smoke signals are clear and distinct. 'Beacon of compassion': PM Modi grieves Pope Francis' death These days, the ballots are first buried in a stove, and the desired colour is created through specific chemical compounds. Potassium perchlorate and anthracene are added to create black smoke. Potassium chlorate, lactose, and rosin are used for creating white smoke. An electronically controlled, second stove with chemical cartridges was introduced in 2005 in order to avoid ambiguity. Confusion over smoke colours to announce new Pope The new technologies are being used for the smoke signals in view of the confusion in the past. At the 1958 conclave, the smoke colour was not clear, leading to uncertainty among the faithful. In 2005, the smoke was reported to be greyish in colour. Since then, the church bells in St. Peter's Basilica also toll as an additional signal to confirm the selection of the pope. When Pope Francis was elected in 2013, the white smoke was clear and distinct.The bells at St Peter’s rang out for further confirmation at the time. When Hollywood star Mark Walhlberg had to seek apology from Pope Francis for this film Once the 'fumata' process confirms that a new pope has been elected, millions of Roman Catholicscs rejoice, with the ringing of church bells and celebrations across the world.

Black smoke, white smoke: How a new Pope will be selected after Pope Francis' death aged 88 - history, process and Roman Catholic tradition

Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff in the history of the Roman Catholic Church, has died aged 88, the Vatican confirmed in a video statement on Monday.
He had been battling several health issues over his 12-year papacy, but surprised many with a public appearance just a day before his passing.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-could-be-the-next-pontiff-after-pope-francis-heres-the-list-of-potential-successors-8737312" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Pope Francis dies at 88: Who could be the next pontiff? Here's the list of potential&nbsp;successors</a>
<h2>Final appearance at St. Peter&rsquo;s Square</h2>
On Sunday, Pope Francis greeted more than 35,000 worshippers in St. Peter&rsquo;s Square, making his way through the crowd in the popemobile. It was his most significant public appearance since recovering from a serious case of double pneumonia.
From the loggia balcony of St. Peter&rsquo;s Basilica, he declared, &ldquo;Brothers and sisters, happy Easter!&rdquo;
Though the Easter Mass was led by Cardinal Angelo Comastri, Pope Francis took part in the traditional "Urbi et Orbi" blessing, Latin for "to the city and the world," which was read aloud by Archbishop Diego Ravelli while Francis remained seated in his wheelchair.
<h2>Francis&rsquo; final message</h2>
In his last address, the pope turned his focus to major global issues. He spoke of the rise of antisemitism and condemned the violence in Gaza, calling for peace and a ceasefire.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pope-francis-medical-team-wanted-to-end-his-treatment-to-let-him-die-in-peace-8890342" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">When Pope Francis&rsquo; medical team wanted to stop his treatment, let him &lsquo;die in peace&rsquo;</a>
&ldquo;I think of the people of Gaza, and its Christian community in particular, where the terrible conflict continues to cause death and destruction and to create a dramatic and deplorable humanitarian situation,&rdquo; said the message.
Francis also emphasised the importance of religious and individual freedoms, &ldquo;There can be no peace without freedom of religion, freedom of thought, freedom of expression and respect for the views of others.&rdquo;
Watch: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/pope-francis-death-pope-francis-has-died-the-vatican-camerlengo-announces-8985260" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Pope Francis death: Pope Francis has died, the Vatican Camerlengo announces</a>
<h2>Pope&rsquo;s last journey through the crowd</h2>
After delivering the blessing, Pope Francis was driven around St. Peter&rsquo;s Square in the open-top popemobile, waving to the faithful. Around 300 cardinals, bishops and priests were present for the Easter Mass, which celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

World: In his last address, the pope turned his focus to major global issues. He spoke of the rise of antisemitism and condemned the violence in Gaza, calling for peace and a ceasefire.

Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff in the history of the Roman Catholic Church, has died aged 88, the Vatican confirmed in a video statement on Monday. He had been battling several health issues over his 12-year papacy, but surprised many with a public appearance just a day before his passing. Also read: Pope Francis dies at 88: Who could be the next pontiff? Here's the list of potential successors Final appearance at St. Peter’s Square On Sunday, Pope Francis greeted more than 35,000 worshippers in St. Peter’s Square, making his way through the crowd in the popemobile. It was his most significant public appearance since recovering from a serious case of double pneumonia. From the loggia balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, he declared, “Brothers and sisters, happy Easter!” Though the Easter Mass was led by Cardinal Angelo Comastri, Pope Francis took part in the traditional "Urbi et Orbi" blessing, Latin for "to the city and the world," which was read aloud by Archbishop Diego Ravelli while Francis remained seated in his wheelchair. Francis’ final message In his last address, the pope turned his focus to major global issues. He spoke of the rise of antisemitism and condemned the violence in Gaza, calling for peace and a ceasefire. Also read: When Pope Francis’ medical team wanted to stop his treatment, let him ‘die in peace’ “I think of the people of Gaza, and its Christian community in particular, where the terrible conflict continues to cause death and destruction and to create a dramatic and deplorable humanitarian situation,” said the message. Francis also emphasised the importance of religious and individual freedoms, “There can be no peace without freedom of religion, freedom of thought, freedom of expression and respect for the views of others.” Watch: Pope Francis death: Pope Francis has died, the Vatican Camerlengo announces Pope’s last journey through the crowd After delivering the blessing, Pope Francis was driven around St. Peter’s Square in the open-top popemobile, waving to the faithful. Around 300 cardinals, bishops and priests were present for the Easter Mass, which celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

‘No peace without freedom’: Pope Francis’ final message called for Gaza ceasefire | Read his last address

As the world mourns the loss of Pope Francis, the first Latin American pope in the history of the Roman Catholic Church, we stumbled upon a time when Hollywood star Mark Wahlberg sought forgiveness for starring in a film.&nbsp;
<h2>Mark Wahlberg's apology to Pope</h2>
Mark Wahlberg is a practising Catholic and in 2015 emceed the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia, an annual Catholic festival. That year, in addition to Mark, the event featured performances by titans like Aretha Franklin, Andrea Bocelli, Juanes, among others. Pope Francis also attended.
At the event, when a young soloist told Mark Wahlberg that he really liked Ted, Mark replied by saying that the film might not be appropriate for someone his age while accepting the compliment.&nbsp;
Mark then went on to seek forgiveness from the Pope and said, "Holy Father please forgive me. I've always hoped that the good Lord has a sense of humour when it comes and pertains to many of the movies that I&rsquo;ve made."
For the unversed, Ted was a R-rated film about Mark Wahlberg and a stuffed animal doing drugs and getting wasted.
<h2 class="gh-archive-page-post-title"><a class="gh-archive-page-post-title-link" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-could-be-the-next-pontiff-after-pope-francis-heres-the-list-of-potential-successors-8737312" aria-label="Pope Francis dies at 88: Who could be the next pontiff? Here's the list of potential&nbsp;successors">Pope Francis dies at 88: Who could be the next pontiff? Here's the list of potential&nbsp;successors</a></h2>
<h2>Pope Francis no more</h2>
Pope Francis died on Monday, aged 88, a day after making an appearance at Saint Peter's Square on Easter Sunday, the Vatican said in a statement. The statement read, "This morning at 7:35 am (0535 GMT) the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father," said Cardinal Kevin Farrell in the statement published by the Vatican on its Telegram channel.
<h2 class="gh-archive-page-post-title"><a class="gh-archive-page-post-title-link" href="https://www.wionews.com/World/pope-francis-top-quotes-his-most-inspiring-words-that-touched-the-world-8985185" aria-label="Quotes | Pope Francis (1936&ndash;2025): His most inspiring words that touched the world">Quotes | Pope Francis (1936&ndash;2025): His most inspiring words that touched the world</a></h2>
&nbsp;

Entertainment World Trending Pope Francis passed away at the age of 88. In a 2015 event, Mark sought forgiveness from the Pope. Read inside for details.

As the world mourns the loss of Pope Francis, the first Latin American pope in the history of the Roman Catholic Church, we stumbled upon a time when Hollywood star Mark Wahlberg sought forgiveness for starring in a film. Mark Wahlberg's apology to Pope Mark Wahlberg is a practising Catholic and in 2015 emceed the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia, an annual Catholic festival. That year, in addition to Mark, the event featured performances by titans like Aretha Franklin, Andrea Bocelli, Juanes, among others. Pope Francis also attended. At the event, when a young soloist told Mark Wahlberg that he really liked Ted, Mark replied by saying that the film might not be appropriate for someone his age while accepting the compliment. Mark then went on to seek forgiveness from the Pope and said, "Holy Father please forgive me. I've always hoped that the good Lord has a sense of humour when it comes and pertains to many of the movies that I’ve made." For the unversed, Ted was a R-rated film about Mark Wahlberg and a stuffed animal doing drugs and getting wasted. Pope Francis dies at 88: Who could be the next pontiff? Here's the list of potential successors Pope Francis no more Pope Francis died on Monday, aged 88, a day after making an appearance at Saint Peter's Square on Easter Sunday, the Vatican said in a statement. The statement read, "This morning at 7:35 am (0535 GMT) the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father," said Cardinal Kevin Farrell in the statement published by the Vatican on its Telegram channel. Quotes | Pope Francis (1936–2025): His most inspiring words that touched the world

When Hollywood star Mark Wahlberg had to seek apology from Pope Francis for this film

Breaking | Pope Francis passes away at 88: Tributes pour in from around the world

Pope Francis died at the age of 88 on Monday (April 21). The Vatican confirmed in a video statement on Monday (April 21). His death comes after a 12-year papacy. 
In January, Pope Francis had claimed that he escaped two attempts on his life during his historic visit to Iraq in 2021. He made this claim in his autobiography.&nbsp;
On Tuesday (Dec 17), Italian media published an excerpt from the autobiography titled "Hope" which talked about Pope Francis being targeted. The autobiography is due to be released on January 14.&nbsp;
<h2>The attempts on Pope's life</h2>
Pope Francis, who turned 88 on Tuesday, said that during his visit to Iraq, "A woman packed with explosives, a young suicide bomber, was heading towards Mosul to blow herself up during the papal visit."
Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pope-francis-for-the-first-time-uses-genocide-for-israels-actions-in-gaza-calls-for-investigation-776996">Pope Francis, for the first time, labels Israel's actions in Gaza as 'genocide'; calls for investigation</a>
"And a van had also set off at great speed with the same intention," he added. According to Italian media, two attackers were intercepted and killed by the Iraqi police.
Pope's historic visit to Iraq in March 2021 lasted for three days. At that time, this was&nbsp;Francis's first trip in 15 months and took place in the middle of the Covid pandemic.
<h2>'Almost everyone advised me against Iraq visit'</h2>
The excerpt from the pope's biography further revealed that "almost everyone advised me" against the visit to Iraq, "but I wanted to get to the bottom of things. I felt I had to do it."
Also watch | Pope elevates 21 new cardinals
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During his trips abroad, the pope's security is taken care of by the Pontifical Swiss Guard and the Vatican Gendarmerie, in collaboration with local law enforcement.
(With inputs from agencies)

During his trips abroad, the pope's security is taken care of by the Pontifical Swiss Guard and the Vatican Gendarmerie, in collaboration with local law enforcement.

Pope Francis died at the age of 88 on Monday (April 21). The Vatican confirmed in a video statement on Monday (April 21). His death comes after a 12-year papacy. In January, Pope Francis had claimed that he escaped two attempts on his life during his historic visit to Iraq in 2021. He made this claim in his autobiography. On Tuesday (Dec 17), Italian media published an excerpt from the autobiography titled "Hope" which talked about Pope Francis being targeted. The autobiography is due to be released on January 14. The attempts on Pope's life Pope Francis, who turned 88 on Tuesday, said that during his visit to Iraq, "A woman packed with explosives, a young suicide bomber, was heading towards Mosul to blow herself up during the papal visit." Also read | Pope Francis, for the first time, labels Israel's actions in Gaza as 'genocide'; calls for investigation "And a van had also set off at great speed with the same intention," he added. According to Italian media, two attackers were intercepted and killed by the Iraqi police. Pope's historic visit to Iraq in March 2021 lasted for three days. At that time, this was Francis's first trip in 15 months and took place in the middle of the Covid pandemic. 'Almost everyone advised me against Iraq visit' The excerpt from the pope's biography further revealed that "almost everyone advised me" against the visit to Iraq, "but I wanted to get to the bottom of things. I felt I had to do it." Also watch | Pope elevates 21 new cardinals During his trips abroad, the pope's security is taken care of by the Pontifical Swiss Guard and the Vatican Gendarmerie, in collaboration with local law enforcement. (With inputs from agencies)

When Pope Francis escaped two attempts on his life during 2021 Iraq visit

Pope Francis, the first Latin American pope in the history of the Roman Catholic Church, has died at the age of 88, the Vatican confirmed in a video statement on Monday (April 21). His death comes after a 12-year papacy.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/vatican-says-pope-francis-suffering-from-pneumonia-in-both-lungs-8734267">Pope&nbsp;Francis suffering from 'bilateral pneumonia', several events cancelled</a>
<h2>How is a new Pope chosen?</h2>
Any Roman Catholic man is technically eligible to become pope, but in practice, the role has always been filled by a cardinal. Currently, there are 253 cardinals worldwide, but only 138 are eligible to vote in the next conclave, as those over 80 years old are excluded.
In December last year, Pope Francis raised the maximum number of cardinal electors from 120 to 138, overriding a rule established by Pope Paul VI.
With Pope Francis' health declining, attention has turned to potential successors. Here are some of the leading candidates based on public reports.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/popes-condition-complex-hospital-stay-extended-vatican-8731563">Pope's condition 'complex', hospital stay extended: Vatican</a>
<h2>The leading candidates for the Papacy</h2>
<h3>Cardinal Pietro Parolin (70, Italy)</h3>
Parolin, the Vatican&rsquo;s Secretary of State, has worked closely with Pope Francis for over a decade and is a strong contender. His background in Vatican diplomacy, with experience in Nigeria and Mexico, has shaped his moderate approach to Church leadership. Parolin was promoted to cardinal in 2014 and is widely viewed as a continuation of Francis&rsquo; legacy.
<h3>Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu (65, Democratic Republic of the Congo)</h3>
As President of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar, Besungu is a significant voice in African Catholicism. He made headlines after rejecting the Fiducia Supplicans doctrine, which allowed priests to bless unmarried and same-sex couples. Despite the doctrine being approved by Pope Francis, Besungu successfully obtained permission to block it in Africa. If elected, he would represent a shift towards conservatism. Pope Francis appointed him as a cardinal in 2019.
<h3>Cardinal Wim Eijk (71, Netherlands)</h3>
A former medical doctor, Eijk is regarded as one of the most conservative candidates. He co-authored Eleven Cardinals Speak on Marriage and the Family, which opposed Pope Francis' more lenient stance on remarriage. Eijk also criticised the pope&rsquo;s handling of a German proposal to allow Protestants to receive the Eucharist. Pope Benedict XVI made him a cardinal in 2012.
<h3>Cardinal Peter Erdo (72, Hungary)</h3>
Erdo, a former president of the Council of Bishops Conferences of Europe, is a traditionalist who upholds strict Catholic doctrine. He has opposed allowing divorced and remarried Catholics to receive Holy Communion and has taken a hardline stance against accepting refugees in Europe, likening it to human trafficking. He was named a cardinal in 2003 by Pope John Paul II.
<h3>Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle (67, Philippines)</h3>
Tagle is often described as the "Asian Pope Francis" due to his progressive views. He has spoken out against the Church&rsquo;s treatment of LGBT individuals, divorced Catholics, and single mothers, arguing that the Church&rsquo;s rigidity has hindered evangelisation efforts. If elected, he would be the first Asian pope. He was made cardinal in 2012 by Pope Benedict XVI.
<h3>Cardinal Raymond Burke (76, USA)</h3>
A leading figure in Catholic conservatism, Burke is a strong advocate for the Latin Mass and has repeatedly criticised Pope Francis' reforms. He has also opposed changes in Church teachings regarding contraception, civil marriages, and LGBT issues. Burke became a cardinal in 2010 under Pope Benedict XVI.

World: With Pope Francis' health declining, attention has turned to potential successors. Here are some of the leading candidates based on public reports.

Pope Francis, the first Latin American pope in the history of the Roman Catholic Church, has died at the age of 88, the Vatican confirmed in a video statement on Monday (April 21). His death comes after a 12-year papacy. Also read: Pope Francis suffering from 'bilateral pneumonia', several events cancelled How is a new Pope chosen? Any Roman Catholic man is technically eligible to become pope, but in practice, the role has always been filled by a cardinal. Currently, there are 253 cardinals worldwide, but only 138 are eligible to vote in the next conclave, as those over 80 years old are excluded. In December last year, Pope Francis raised the maximum number of cardinal electors from 120 to 138, overriding a rule established by Pope Paul VI. With Pope Francis' health declining, attention has turned to potential successors. Here are some of the leading candidates based on public reports. Also read: Pope's condition 'complex', hospital stay extended: Vatican The leading candidates for the Papacy Cardinal Pietro Parolin (70, Italy) Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, has worked closely with Pope Francis for over a decade and is a strong contender. His background in Vatican diplomacy, with experience in Nigeria and Mexico, has shaped his moderate approach to Church leadership. Parolin was promoted to cardinal in 2014 and is widely viewed as a continuation of Francis’ legacy. Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu (65, Democratic Republic of the Congo) As President of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar, Besungu is a significant voice in African Catholicism. He made headlines after rejecting the Fiducia Supplicans doctrine, which allowed priests to bless unmarried and same-sex couples. Despite the doctrine being approved by Pope Francis, Besungu successfully obtained permission to block it in Africa. If elected, he would represent a shift towards conservatism. Pope Francis appointed him as a cardinal in 2019. Cardinal Wim Eijk (71, Netherlands) A former medical doctor, Eijk is regarded as one of the most conservative candidates. He co-authored Eleven Cardinals Speak on Marriage and the Family, which opposed Pope Francis' more lenient stance on remarriage. Eijk also criticised the pope’s handling of a German proposal to allow Protestants to receive the Eucharist. Pope Benedict XVI made him a cardinal in 2012. Cardinal Peter Erdo (72, Hungary) Erdo, a former president of the Council of Bishops Conferences of Europe, is a traditionalist who upholds strict Catholic doctrine. He has opposed allowing divorced and remarried Catholics to receive Holy Communion and has taken a hardline stance against accepting refugees in Europe, likening it to human trafficking. He was named a cardinal in 2003 by Pope John Paul II. Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle (67, Philippines) Tagle is often described as the "Asian Pope Francis" due to his progressive views. He has spoken out against the Church’s treatment of LGBT individuals, divorced Catholics, and single mothers, arguing that the Church’s rigidity has hindered evangelisation efforts. If elected, he would be the first Asian pope. He was made cardinal in 2012 by Pope Benedict XVI. Cardinal Raymond Burke (76, USA) A leading figure in Catholic conservatism, Burke is a strong advocate for the Latin Mass and has repeatedly criticised Pope Francis' reforms. He has also opposed changes in Church teachings regarding contraception, civil marriages, and LGBT issues. Burke became a cardinal in 2010 under Pope Benedict XVI.

Who could be the next pontiff? Here's the list of potential successors

Pope Francis, the first Latin American pope in the history of the Roman Catholic Church, has died at the age of 88, the Vatican confirmed in a video statement on Monday (April 21). His death comes after a 12-year papacy. 
<h2>Pope Francis' final public appearance on Easter Sunday</h2>
On Sunday, Pope Francis appeared in front of crowd of more than 35,000 people gathered in St. Peter&rsquo;s Square by appearing in the popemobile. It was his most public outing since recovering from a serious bout of double pneumonia.
&ldquo;Brothers and sisters, happy Easter!&rdquo; he said.
As is tradition, he delivered the &ldquo;Urbi et Orbi&rdquo; blessing, which means &ldquo;to the city and the world.&rdquo; The message was read aloud by Archbishop Diego Ravelli and included calls for peace in war-torn regions such as Gaza, Ukraine, Congo and Myanmar.
&ldquo;I appeal to the warring parties: call a ceasefire, release the hostages and come to the aid of a starving people that aspires to a future of peace!&rdquo; the message said.
He added, &ldquo;On this day, I would like all of us to hope anew and to revive our trust in others, including those who are different than ourselves&hellip; For all of us are children of God.&rdquo;

World: Pope Francis, the first Latin American pope in the history of the Roman Catholic Church, has died at the age of 88, the Vatican confirmed in a video statement on Monday.

Pope Francis, the first Latin American pope in the history of the Roman Catholic Church, has died at the age of 88, the Vatican confirmed in a video statement on Monday (April 21). His death comes after a 12-year papacy. Pope Francis' final public appearance on Easter Sunday On Sunday, Pope Francis appeared in front of crowd of more than 35,000 people gathered in St. Peter’s Square by appearing in the popemobile. It was his most public outing since recovering from a serious bout of double pneumonia. “Brothers and sisters, happy Easter!” he said. As is tradition, he delivered the “Urbi et Orbi” blessing, which means “to the city and the world.” The message was read aloud by Archbishop Diego Ravelli and included calls for peace in war-torn regions such as Gaza, Ukraine, Congo and Myanmar. “I appeal to the warring parties: call a ceasefire, release the hostages and come to the aid of a starving people that aspires to a future of peace!” the message said. He added, “On this day, I would like all of us to hope anew and to revive our trust in others, including those who are different than ourselves… For all of us are children of God.”

Pope Francis dies at 88: Latin America’s first pontiff leaves behind powerful Easter message

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