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Conclave To Begin New Pope Election On 7 May, Says Vatican

Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff, passed away on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88 following complications from a respiratory illness.

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Priya Prakash
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Images of Pope Francis's Tomb Released as Public Viewing Begins

Vatican News/ X

Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff, passed away on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88 following complications from a respiratory illness. Known for his humility, compassion, and advocacy for the poor and environmental protection, Francis led the Catholic Church for 12 years.

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The director of the Vatican’s health services, Dr. Andrea Arcangeli, examined the pontiff’s body and prepared the death certificate, which said the late pope died from a stroke, coma, and irreversible cardiovascular collapse. The certificate was read during the attestation rite.

Pope Francis Passes Away

Cardinal Kevin Ferrell, the Vatican camerlengo, announced his death on Monday: "At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father." He added, "Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. 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."

Pope Francis was admitted to Rome's Gemelli Hospital on February 14 after his bronchitis, which had persisted for a week, took a turn for the worse. He remained hospitalised for 38 days, marking the longest stay in a hospital during his 12 years as pope.

  • Apr 29, 2025 16:54 IST

    Conclave to elect new pope to start on May 7, cardinals meet

    Cardinals will meet next month in a secret conclave to elect the next pope, the Vatican has said. The closed-door meeting will start inside the Sistine Chapel on 7 May and will involve some 135 cardinals from across the world.

    It follows the death of Pope Francis, who died at the age of 88 on Easter Monday and whose funeral was held on Saturday.

    There is no timescale as to how long it will take to elect the next pope, but the previous two conclaves, held in 2005 and 2013, lasted just two days.

     



  • Apr 28, 2025 13:07 IST

    Images of Pope Francis's Tomb Released as Public Viewing Begins

    Images of Pope Francis’s final resting place at the Santa Maria Maggiore church in Rome have been shared with the public. The tomb, engraved with the name he used during his papacy, is marked by a single white rose resting on its stone surface, beneath a crucifix highlighted by a solitary spotlight.

    Pope Francis was laid to rest in this historic church, one of Rome’s four major basilicas, after his public funeral in the Vatican on April 26. The church had been a frequent place of visit for him during his time as a cardinal and pope. His burial was part of a private ceremony, with thousands of mourners paying their respects since the church opened on Sunday, April 27.



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  • Apr 26, 2025 10:07 IST

    Pope Francis’s Funeral Today, World Leaders Gather to Bid Farewell

    Hundreds of thousands of people from around the world, along with heads of state and royals, will gather today on Saturday, April 26 to bid farewell to Pope Francis at his funeral service. The funeral mass will start at 10 a.m. local time (1:30 p.m. IST) and conclude by 11:45 a.m. (3:15 p.m. IST). 

    Among those attending to pay their respects are US President Donald Trump, Indian President Droupadi Murmu, Prince William, French President Emmanuel Macron, Spain’s King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, as well as Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. A total of 54 heads of state and 12 reigning royals are expected to be in attendance. 

    In a departure from long-standing tradition, he will be laid to rest in the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, located just outside the Vatican, rather than being buried within the walls of St Peter’s Basilica, where previous popes have been interred. This decision follows Pope Francis’s wish for a "simple" tomb a few kilometres from the Vatican, in the outskirts of Rome.



  • Apr 25, 2025 11:29 IST

    President Murmu To Attend Pope Francis’ Funeral In Vatican

    President Droupadi Murmu and Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju have travelled to Vatican City to participate in the state funeral of Pope Francis. The delegation also includes Union Minister of State George Kurian and Goa's Deputy Speaker Joshua Peter De Souza.

    During their two-day visit, they will attend the funeral and convey condolences on behalf of both the government and the people of India.

     



  • Apr 23, 2025 13:41 IST

    Pope Francis' Coffin Arrives at St. Peter’s Basilica for Final Farewell

    Pope Francis’ coffin has reached St Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, where it will lie in state for three days, giving people the chance to say their final goodbyes before his funeral on Saturday, April 26. The funeral is expected to be attended by many world leaders, including US President Donald Trump.

    At 9:30 a.m. local time on Wednesday, April  23 the solemn procession began as bells tolled, and mourners gathered outside the basilica applauded in honour of the late pope. Inside the basilica, the traditional Litany of the Saints, a sacred Roman Catholic prayer began.

    The Pope’s body was first moved from the chapel of Casa Santa Marta, the residence where he lived during his time as head of the Catholic Church. The coffin was carried through significant Vatican locations, including Piazza Santa Marta and Piazza dei Protomartiri Romani. It then passed through the Arch of the Bells into St Peter’s Square and finally entered St Peter’s Basilica through the central door.

    Before the public procession, a private service was held in the chapel of Casa Santa Marta. It was led by Camerlengo Kevin Farrell, the cardinal responsible for organising papal funerals and the next conclave to choose a new pope. During the short prayer, he said, “Let us thank the Lord for countless gifts that he bestowed on the Christian people through His servant Pope Francis.”

    He added, “Let us ask him in his mercy and kindness to grant the late pope an eternal home in the kingdom of heaven and to comfort with celestial hope the papal family, the church in Rome and the faithful throughout the world.”

    The faithful can now visit St Peter’s Basilica to pay their respects before Saturday’s funeral ceremony.

     



  • Apr 22, 2025 17:02 IST

    Pope Francis Funeral To Be Held On April 26 At Vatican

    The Vatican has announced that the Pope’s funeral will be held at 10:00 am (0800 GMT) this Saturday, April 26 in St. Peter's Square. The ceremony is expected to draw a massive crowd as mourners gather to pay their final respects. World leaders including former US President Donald Trump and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky have also confirmed their attendance to honour the Catholic leader.

     

    As per his wishes, the late Pope will be laid in a coffin made of wood and zinc. After the service, the coffin will be moved into St. Peter’s Basilica and then transferred to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome for burial.

     

    The funeral date was confirmed during the first general congregation of cardinals held Tuesday, April 22 morning,  a traditional step that begins the process of electing the next pontiff, typically within three weeks.

     



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  • Apr 22, 2025 09:33 IST

    Pope Francis Death: India Announces 3-Day State Mourning

    The government of India has announced a three-day state mourning as a mark of respect on the passing away of Pope Francis.

    In a statement, the Ministry of Home Affairs said, "His Holiness Pope Francis, Supreme Pontiff of the Holy See passed away on April 21. As a mark of respect, three-day state mourning shall be observed throughout India." As per the schedule, two days' state mourning will be on April 22 (Tuesday) and April 23 (Wednesday). Besides, one day's state mourning will be on the day of the funeral, the statement said.

    During the period of the state mourning, the national flag will be flown at half mast throughout India on all buildings where the national flag is flown regularly and there will be no official entertainment, it added.



  • Apr 22, 2025 09:13 IST

    Pope Francis' Death: Vatican conducts first step in papal funeral rites

    Pope Francis’ formal apartment in the Vatican has been sealed in a ritual that is a key part of the tradition after a pope dies. The camerlengo, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, oversaw the sealing of the apartment on Monday afternoon, after Francis died.

    According to the Vatican, the rite took under one hour and the pontiff’s remains will stay overnight in the chapel of Casa Santa Marta.



  • Apr 22, 2025 08:45 IST

    Barack Obama Pens Powerful Tribute

    Former President Barack Obama has joined world leaders in paying tribute to the late Pope Francis. “Pope Francis was the rare leader who made us want to be better people,” Obama wrote in a message shared on his website and social media channels. 



  • Apr 21, 2025 16:26 IST

    France Pays Tribute to Pope Francis with National Gestures

    In honour of Pope Francis, the iconic bells of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris rang 88 times, symbolising each year of his life, according to French media. A special mass is also set to be held at midday in the cathedral, franceinfo radio reported.

    Additionally, as a mark of respect, the Eiffel Tower will go dark on Monday night, city authorities told news outlet, BFMTV.



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  • Apr 21, 2025 16:19 IST

    Rahul Gandhi

    Congress leader Rahul Gandhi expressed deep sorrow over the death of Pope Francis, remembering him as a powerful global symbol of compassion, justice, and peace. “He stood by the downtrodden and the marginalised, spoke fearlessly against inequality, and inspired millions across faiths with his message of love and humanity,” he said.



  • Apr 21, 2025 16:17 IST

    Volodymyr Zelenskyy

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed sorrow over the passing of Pope Francis, calling it a heartbreaking loss for millions across the globe. He said the Pope dedicated his life to faith, compassion, and unity. “He knew how to give hope, ease suffering through prayer, and foster unity."



  • Apr 21, 2025 16:15 IST

    ‘Stop The War’: Pope Francis’ Last Public Address Was A Call For Gaza Ceasefire

    As the world mourns the loss of Pope Francis, his final Easter message, delivered just days before his passing, serves as a poignant farewell. Released on Easter Sunday from the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, this message called for peace, freedom, and justice, touching on global issues that the Pope had championed throughout his papacy.

    In his final Easter address, Pope Francis appealed for an end to the ongoing war in Ukraine and peace around the world. "There can be no peace without freedom of religion, freedom of thought, freedom of expression and respect for the views of others. Nor is peace possible without true disarmament! The requirement that every person provide for their defence must not turn into a race to rearmament," he said.

    The Pope's message also extended to those suffering in other conflict zones. "During this time, let us not fail to assist the people of Myanmar, plagued by long years of armed conflict, who, with courage and patience, are dealing with the aftermath of the devastating earthquake in Sagaing, which caused the death of thousands and great suffering for the many survivors, including orphans and the elderly," he added.



  • Apr 21, 2025 15:59 IST

    JD Vance

    Vice President of the United States, JD Vance, expressed grief over the passing of Pope Francis, saying, “I was happy to see him yesterday, though he was obviously very ill. But I’ll always remember him for the below homily he gave in the very early days of COVID. It was really quite beautiful.”



  • Apr 21, 2025 15:50 IST

    Anumula Revanth

    Anumula Revanth, the current Chief Minister of Telangana, expressed his sorrow over the Pope's passing, describing it as "an irreparable loss to humanity." He extended his deepest condolences to the Pope’s family and the global Catholic community.



  • Apr 21, 2025 15:48 IST

    Licypriya Kangujam

    Licypriya Kangujam, a young environmental activist from Manipur and one of the world’s youngest voices for climate action, shared a heartfelt tribute: "It's my lifetime blessing that I got the chance to meet him in Vatican 🇻🇦 3 times during his tenure & the first Manipuri meeting him. We were also together in the documentary film 🎞 'Earth for All' produced by Sky News Italy.🙏"



  • Apr 21, 2025 15:40 IST

    King Charles

    King Charles honored Pope Francis with a heartfelt tribute, saying, “We send our most heartfelt condolences and profound sympathy to the Church he served with such resolve and to the countless people around the world who, inspired by his life, will be mourning the devastating loss of this faithful follower of Jesus Christ.”



  • Apr 21, 2025 15:40 IST

    Giorgia Meloni

    Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said she was grieving the loss of Pope Francis, whom she considered a friend. She shared that he had offered her support during difficult moments and had fulfilled his responsibilities until the very end.



  • Apr 21, 2025 15:39 IST

    Narendra Modi

    Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sorrow, stating he was "deeply pained by the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis," and acknowledged his compassion and commitment to development and inclusion.



  • Apr 21, 2025 15:39 IST

    Michael D. Higgins

    Irish President Michael D. Higgins's statement read, "In paying tribute to Pope Francis' legacy, may we all reflect on the ethical approach that is necessary to tackle the many vital issues, including the serious danger of what he termed ‘the globalisation of indifference’, to which he drew the attention of office holders and their publics."



  • Apr 21, 2025 15:35 IST

    World Reflects on His Legacy

    French President Emmanuel Macron said, "From Buenos Aires to Rome, Pope Francis wanted the Church to bring joy and hope to the poorest. To unite people with one another and with nature. May this hope be reborn endlessly beyond him. To all Catholics, to a grieving world, my wife and I send our thoughts." 



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