Pope Francis, the first pontiff from Latin America and a reformer who sought to reshape the Catholic Church for the modern age, has died aged 88.
The Vatican confirmed his death on Monday, announcing the end of a papacy marked by humility, global outreach, and a relentless push for change. A short statement from the Holy See said the Argentine-born pope died peacefully in his Vatican residence. The cause of death was not immediately disclosed, but Francis had battled chronic health issues in recent years.
Now begins a ritual of mourning — and the careful, secretive process of choosing his successor.
The Death of a Pontiff
In the Vatican, tradition and symbolism shape every step after a pope dies.
The Camerlengo — currently Cardinal Kevin Farrell, an Irish-American — becomes the Church’s interim administrator. His first act: confirming the death. According to long-held rites, he calls the pope’s baptismal name three times. When there’s no response, he formally declares the pope dead.
The Pope’s personal ring — the Ring of the Fisherman — is then defaced. Once used to seal official documents, the ring is symbolically destroyed to prevent misuse. “The moment it is broken, his authority ends,” said Dr Darius von Guttner, a historian of the Catholic Church.
Francis will be laid out in a plain white cassock, in keeping with his modest style. Unlike previous popes, his body will not be displayed on an elevated platform. His funeral, expected within six days, will take place in St Peter’s Square. The sprawling piazza can hold over 300,000 mourners.
Vatican sources say Francis will be buried not beneath St Peter’s Basilica — the usual resting place of pontiffs — but at the Basilica of St Mary Major in Rome, one of the city’s oldest churches. “It’s deeply personal,” said Vatican reporter Christopher White. “He often described the Vatican as a prison. In death, he’s chosen freedom.”
Nine Days of Mourning
The Church now enters a period known as novemdiales — nine days of mourning. These include daily Masses and tributes, with the pope’s body likely to lie in state in St Peter’s Basilica for several days. Thousands are expected to file past in quiet prayer.
Behind the scenes, Vatican officials prepare for the next act: electing a new pope.
Inside the Conclave
Once the funeral rites end, the cardinals begin the conclave — Latin for “with a key” — in which they’re locked inside the Sistine Chapel until a new pope is chosen.
Only cardinals under the age of 80 can vote. Currently, 119 are eligible. They come from every continent, reflecting the global spread of Catholicism.
Each day, they vote in silence, casting handwritten ballots. After each round, the ballots are burned. If no candidate receives the required two-thirds majority, chemicals are added to the smoke to turn it black — signalling to the world that no decision has been made. When a pope is finally elected, white smoke rises.
“The conclave is the most secretive election process on Earth,” said White. “No phones, no leaks. Just the cardinals, the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, and the Holy Spirit — if you believe that.”
What’s at Stake
The decision now facing the Church’s senior figures is no small one.
Francis leaves behind a legacy that stirred strong opinions. He pushed to decentralise Church authority, made strides on climate advocacy, and reached out to marginalised communities. He was also criticised — by conservatives and some traditionalists — for going too far, too fast.
“There will be those seeking continuity,” said Miles Pattenden, co-author of The Cambridge History of the Papacy. “But others will see this as a moment to reset.”
Issues likely to dominate the pre-conclave discussions include clerical sexual abuse, the role of women in the Church, LGBTQ+ inclusion, and the Vatican’s response to global conflict and migration. Some cardinals may want a return to orthodoxy; others could push for further reform.
A Moment of Global Significance
The choice of a new pope matters far beyond the Catholic Church. With over 1.4 billion followers worldwide, the pope is one of the most influential moral figures on the planet.
In Africa, where the Church is growing rapidly, many hope this will be the moment to elect the first African pope. Latin America, too, may push for continued representation. Others suggest it’s time for an Asian pope, as Catholicism spreads across the region.
“The world will be watching,” said Pattenden. “And the cardinals know it.”
In a world marked by division and unrest, the next pope could shape not just the future of the Church — but the moral direction of a global community in search of meaning.
