The Passing Away of Pope Francis

Pope Francis died on Monday, April 21, at 7:35 a.m. local time, the Vatican reported. He died due to heart failure and a coma brought about by a stroke. Francis had suffered numerous health issues over the years, such as 38 days in the hospital for treatment for acute pneumonia prior to passing away about one month later. Francis has been the ruler of the Catholic Church for twelve years at the age of 88. He delivered a speech and Easter blessing in Saint Peter's Square via Cardinal Angelo Comastri prior to his death.

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The Vatican's doctor, Andrea Arcangeli, confirmed that a stroke and circulatory arrest led to the pope's passing. He was in a coma before he passed away. Since taking office in 2013, Pope Francis brought change through humility, reforms, and addressing global concerns. As the first Jesuit and Latin American pope, he focused on financial clarity, supporting social justice, caring for the environment, and creating a more welcoming Church. The Vatican managed to cut its deficit by over 50% from 2015 to 2022, thanks to the Secretariat for the Economy. His 2015 document, Laudato Si’, is a key reference in environmental debates and has influenced over 150 countries.

In 2020, his book, Fratelli Tutti, called for new social and political thinking regarding human brotherhood. He moved to be more open on challenging topics. He made it possible for divorced and remarried Catholics to receive communion and wrote about the need for compassion for LGBTQ+ persons, once stating, "Who am I to judge?" In a 2020 poll, 57% of American Catholics support his progressive stance on LGBTQ+ issues.

Pope Francis was the first pope to ever visit Iraq and promoted interfaith dialogue, endorsing a declaration of human fraternity with a Muslim leader. In adopting a humble way of life, he lived in a modest guesthouse, dressed in simple attire, and used a Ford Focus, diverging from the luxury excess that permeates the papacy. With over 53 million followers on Twitter and nearly 10 million on Instagram, he spoke to the younger generations on social media. As his papacy is entering its tenth year, his leadership continues to prove the power of simplicity in reforming the role of the Church in the world.

With Pope Francis nearing the end of his papacy, many wonder who will be the next head of the Catholic Church. Potential candidates include Cardinal Matteo Zuppi of Italy, an advocate for peace; Cardinal Mario Grech of Malta, an advocate for the inclusivity of the Church; Cardinal Péter Erdő of Hungary, conservative and adept in doctrine; and Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, who has labored for interfaith dialogue. This multicultural list is indicative of the global reach of the Church and numerous schemes for its future.

Edited By: Oya Yamaç