Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina, died on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88 following a stroke that led to a coma and irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse, as confirmed by the Vatican’s official medical report. His death came less than 24 hours after he appeared in St. Peter’s Square for Easter Sunday celebrations, where he delivered blessings to thousands of faithful despite appearing less animated than usual. In recent months, his health had deteriorated significantly, including a hospitalization in March for severe pneumonia, and he had a history of acute respiratory failure, multiple bronchiectases, high blood pressure, and Type II diabetes, all contributing to his declining condition.
As the first Latin American pope and the first non-European pontiff in nearly 1,300 years, Francis’s death marks the end of a transformative 12-year papacy that began in 2013. His tenure set in motion the centuries-old process for selecting his successor.
During his pontificate, Pope Francis established himself as a champion for the marginalized, advocating forcefully for migrants, the poor, and environmental issues, while attempting to reform the Catholic Church’s approach to modern challenges. He embraced a more humble papal style, choosing to live in the modest Santa Marta guesthouse rather than the traditional papal apartments, and frequently challenged the church bureaucracy by decentralizing Vatican operations and engaging more directly with the public.
His papacy was characterized by efforts to soften the church’s stance on various social issues, including homosexuality, the death penalty, and the role of women, though he faced significant resistance from traditionalists who viewed these changes as compromising core Catholic doctrine. Despite his progressive reputation, Francis moved cautiously when addressing sexual abuse scandals within the church, an issue that continued to damage the institution’s credibility throughout his tenure. His advocacy extended beyond church matters to global politics, where he frequently criticized unchecked capitalism and, in his final months, publicly condemned President Trump’s immigration policies and Vice President J.D. Vance’s interpretation of Catholic theological principles relating to migration.
Pope Francis’s papacy was not without controversy, particularly regarding LGBTQ+ issues, where his positions sometimes appeared contradictory. While he famously responded “Who am I to judge?” when asked about gay people early in his papacy and later permitted priests to bless same-sex couples in certain circumstances, he maintained the church’s opposition to gay men becoming priests and twice used a derogatory homophobic slur during closed-door meetings in 2024, prompting Vatican apologies. This complex stance on LGBTQ+ issues reflected his broader approach of attempting to make the church more welcoming while not fundamentally changing its doctrine. Francis faced particularly strong opposition from conservative American Catholics, leading him to lament the “very strong, organized, reactionary attitude” directed against him in the United States. His restriction of the Traditional Latin Mass and disciplinary actions against conservative critics like Bishop Strick of Tyler, Texas, and Cardinal Burke further intensified this conflict. Additionally, some conservatives were troubled by theological statements, such as a document he signed suggesting that “diversity of religions” was “willed by God,” which they saw as undermining the church’s claim to be the one true faith.
Pope Francis succeeded Pope Benedict XVI (Joseph Ratzinger), who made history by becoming the first pope to resign in approximately 600 years when he stepped down in 2013. The transition from Benedict to Francis represented a significant shift in the church’s leadership approach and priorities. While Benedict XVI was a German theologian who emphasized doctrinal orthodoxy and maintained closer ties with the United States, Francis approached the US with skepticism regarding its global role and prioritized issues that the affluent, conservative American church often considered secondary. Benedict’s resignation came amid the “Vatileaks” scandal that exposed corruption within the Vatican bureaucracy, creating a sense among cardinals that an “outsider” was needed to reform the institution. Francis’s election fulfilled this desire for change, though Benedict remained a symbolic figure for conservatives until his death in 2022, creating an unusual situation of having two living popes with different visions for the church. The contrast between the two pontiffs highlighted the church’s internal tensions between traditionalism and reform, tensions that are now central to the selection of Francis’s successor.
The search for Pope Francis’s successor will involve a conclave of cardinals under 80 years of age, who will gather in the Sistine Chapel approximately 15-20 days after his death to elect a new pope through a two-thirds majority vote. Among the frontrunners, according to Vatican observers, are Luis Antonio Tagle from the Philippines, who is seen as likely to continue Francis’s progressive vision; Pietro Parolin of Italy, the Vatican’s Secretary of State who is viewed as a moderate candidate; Peter Turkson from Ghana, an advocate for social justice; and Peter Erdő of Hungary, a leading conservative candidate who has opposed same-sex marriages. Other notable contenders include Jean-Marc Aveline of France, who supports migrants but has expressed caution about blessing same-sex couples; Joseph Tobin from the United States, a progressive who has supported LGBTQ+ Catholics; and Fridolin Ambongo from the Democratic Republic of Congo, who opposed Francis’s directive on blessing same-sex couples. The composition of the College of Cardinals has been significantly shaped by Francis, who appointed 110 of the 138 voting members and ensured greater representation from diverse global regions, particularly Asia, Africa, and Latin America, potentially influencing the conclave toward selecting a pope who will continue his reforms. However, the outcome remains uncertain, as the relatively unfamiliar cardinal electors from diverse backgrounds may struggle to establish priorities and alliances compared to the more unified European contingent, and non-European cardinals often hold conservative views on social issues despite progressive economic and political stances.
Pope Francis’s death marks the end of a transformative papacy that sought to modernize the Catholic Church while facing significant resistance. His efforts to create a more inclusive church that prioritized the marginalized while navigating controversial social issues have left a complex legacy. As cardinals prepare to select his successor, the church stands at a crossroads between continuing Francis’s reformist approach or returning to more traditional practices. The outcome of the upcoming conclave will significantly influence the future direction of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics and the church’s role in addressing global challenges.