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What we know
- The world is paying tribute to Pope Francis, who rattled the Catholic Church's conservatives and inspired some progressives, after his death yesterday at age 88.
- Francis' death certificate, which the Vatican released overnight, said he died from a stroke that prompted irreversible heart failure. He had suffered a long series of health issues.
- Francis' body will be transferred to St. Peter's Basilica tomorrow morning for worshippers to pay their respects ahead of his funeral Saturday, the Vatican said.
- American Cardinal Kevin Farrell has become the acting head of the Vatican until the College of Cardinals chooses the pope's successor during the conclave that will follow his funeral.
- "He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with faithfulness, courage, and universal love, especially in favor of the poorest and the marginalized," Farrell said of Francis in a statement.
Rosary prayer held at Vatican in honor of Pope Francis
A rosary prayer was held today at the Vatican, presided over by the dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Giovanni Battista.
Francis’ funeral is set for 10 a.m. Saturday in St. Peter’s Square. He will lie in state starting tomorrow in St. Peter’s Basilica, where the faithful are expected to flock to pay their respects to history’s first Latin American pontiff.
'Francesco' director says pope was 'remarkable' and 'humble'
Filmmaker Evgeny Afineevsky reflects on his time with Pope Francis as he filmed his documentary, “Francesco,” and how he viewed the pope as a “remarkable human being.”
Pope reportedly worried about greeting Easter crowd but was thankful he did
VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis was thankful that he was able to greet throngs of people in St. Peter’s Square on Easter, a day before he died, though he initially had some doubts given his poor health, Vatican News reported today.
Francis, 88, made his last public appearance Sunday, delivering a blessing and looping around Vatican City’s famous square in his popemobile.
Francis initially had doubts about the ride, Vatican News reported. “Do you think I can manage it?” the pope asked Massimiliano Strappetti, his personal health care assistant, according to the news agency.
The pope was reassured, and he stopped to reach out to people, especially children, as he was driven through the crowd of 50,000 — the first time since he was released from the hospital that he had mixed with the faithful at large. Afterward, Francis told Strappetti, “Thank you for bringing me back to the square,” Vatican News said.
The pope showed the first signs of illness round 5:30 a.m. the next day and fell into a coma an hour later, Vatican News reported.
His Easter appearance from the loggia where he was introduced to the world as the first pope from the Americas on March 13, 2013, was a fitting bookend to a 12-year papacy that sought to shake up the church and return it to its Gospel-mandated mission of caring for the poorest.
Italian president pays respects to Francis
Italian President Sergio Mattarella paid his respects to Francis at the chapel at Santa Marta residence, where the pope is lying in state.
He was dressed in a black suit alongside his daughter, Laura Mattarella. Both somberly looked at the pope.
Mourners pay tribute at Vatican shrine made by local man
Under the portico along Via della Conciliazione, a small shrine dedicated to Pope Francis features a photo of him joyfully waving to passersby.
Many visitors stopped to take photos or to symbolically return the gesture.
It was created by Ulcer Vasile Paul, 72, originally from Romania, who arrived in Italy nearly 20 years ago. In Rome, he doesn’t have a home, and he sleeps just a few meters away from the small altar.
"I made it yesterday, as soon as I heard about Pope Francis’s death," he said sadly. "He was a great man. He encouraged people to reflect, and with his words, he always pointed toward the right path in life. He gave me so much hope. He helped me not to lose faith."
"Everyone asks me why I didn’t think to include a place in the shrine for people to leave offerings. But I don’t want money. I just want to honor Pope Francis," he added.
Jerusalem’s Latin patriarch remembers Pope Francis
Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, spoke of Pope Francis’ legacy and hailed his commitment to Gaza as he spoke to a small audience of journalists.
Mourners gather in New York City's St. Patrick's Cathedral
The pews of New York City's St. Patrick’s Cathedral were filled with city officials, religious leaders and mourners who wanted to pay tribute to Francis today.
Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the archbishop of New York, began the Mass by thanking all who gathered for the "graciousness" of their company. He described the grief of Catholics as that for a "death in the family."
Francis was a gift, Dolan said as the congregation prayed for mercy in his return to God.
"He was a troubadour of God's mercy, constantly preaching God's tender loving mercy for us and encouraging our tender mercy for one another," Dolan said.
Pope's age and time of death coincide with his membership number in beloved Argentine soccer club
Francis’ age and time of death match with his membership number in the Argentine soccer club San Lorenzo de Almagro, which he had long supported.
The Argentine club said his membership number was 88235.
Francis died at age 88 at 2:35 a.m. Argentina time (7:35 a.m. in Vatican City).
The coincidence, which has caused a buzz in Argentine news, holds special significance for San Lorenzo fans. Francis was outspoken in his passion for soccer, and back when he was elected as the first pope from Latin America in 2013, San Lorenzo shared a photo of him on what was then Twitter holding the club’s crest.
"He always conveyed his passion for the Cyclone," the team wrote yesterday in a tribute on X, citing its nickname. "When he went to the Old Gasometer to watch the '46 team, when he confirmed Angelito Correa in the chapel of Ciudad Deportiva, when he received blue-and-red visits at the Vatican always with total joy."
"Wrapped in deep sorrow, from #SanLorenzo today we say to Francis: Goodbye, thank you, and until forever! We will be together for eternity!" the team added.
Prince William to attend pope's funeral
The Prince of Wales will attend the pope’s funeral on behalf of the king, Kensington Palace said today.
Francis appointed more than 20 cardinals from developing countries who will now elect the next pontiff
Francis' legacy will play a part in the group of cardinals set to elect the next pope during the conclave. During his 12 years as pope, Francis picked 108 of the 135 members in the College of Cardinals who are under age 80 and eligible to cast votes on his successor.
More than 20 come from developing countries that had never previously had a cardinal, such as Rwanda, Tonga, Myanmar, Mongolia and South Sudan. Francis, who often stressed that the church should not be so Eurocentric, also overlooked vacancies in major European cities in favor of minorities. While the majority of cardinals, 39%, hail from Europe, the second-largest group, 20%, come from Asia and Oceania.
With so many owing their positions to Francis, it remains to be seen whether the cardinals will elect a non-European successor, one who follows a similar progressive reform agenda or one who leans more toward the church's conservative wing.
Conversations among the cardinals during the daily congregations, while highly secretive, can often sway decisions about who should be the next pope. After a complex voting process, the only sign given to the public that the new pope has been chosen is white smoke emerging from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel.
