Pope Francis died this morning, the Vatican announced. A wave of reactions from the Italian political community and the international community immediately followed.
What's next for the Roman Catholic Church in brief
The announcement of Pope Francis' death will be followed by nine days of mourning ceremonies, notes France 24.
A conclave should be organized within 15 to 20 days, during which cardinal electors will elect a new pope. 80 percent of these cardinals were appointed by Francis.
The interim head of the Roman Catholic Church will be Irish Carmelite Cardinal Kevin Farrell.
Where will the pope be buried?
At the end of 2023, Pope Francis revealed that he wanted to be buried in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in central Rome, rather than in the crypt of St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. If the Vatican authorities comply with this request, and if it becomes clear that he did not mention anything else in his final days, then the burial of the pope in Santa Maria Maggiore will be something that has happened for the first time in over three centuries.
The Pope's last official appearances
Pope Francis' last meeting with a foreign leader was yesterday, when he met for a few minutes with US Vice President J.D. Vance. The Pope gave him chocolate Easter eggs for his three children, a tie with Vatican prints and a rosary, ANSA recalls. On April 9, the Pope also met briefly with British King Charles III and his wife, Queen Camilla.
The Pope's last public appearance was yesterday on the occasion of the Resurrection of Christ, when Francis appeared briefly to bless the thousands of people gathered in St. Peter's Square in the Vatican and was greeted with joyful cheers and applause, ANSA reported. "Brothers and sisters, Happy Easter!" Francis said. He did not attend the Easter Mass in the square and instead left Cardinal Angelo Comastri to lead it. After the Mass ended, it was Francis who appeared on the balcony above the entrance to St. Peter's Basilica, waved to the people, greeted them with the Resurrection of Christ and blessed them, and then asked Monsignor Diego Rivelli to read his speech. In his traditional Easter message, the pope spoke about the value of every human life, about violence against women and about disarmament, without which no true peace can be achieved, ANSA recalls. After reading his message, Pope Francis toured St. Peter's Square with the open popemobile for the first time since being discharged from hospital, where he was treated for over a month for severe bilateral pneumonia.
Papal death in Jubilee year
Pope Francis died in the Jubilee year for the Roman Catholic Church, which began on December 24, 2024 and ends on January 6, 2026. This was supposed to be a solemn and joyful anniversary for the Church, but because of Francis's death, it will now remain in the archives as a sad year, Italian media noted.