Death of Pope Francis: His Final Appearance and the Shadow of His Successor

The Body Optimist Death of Pope Francis: His Final Appearance and the Shadow of His Successor by Maïssane F. • 1 hour • 3 minutes reading time Pope Francis died today, Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88, the Vatican announced. Cardinal Kevin Farrell said that "the Bishop of Rome, Francis, has returned to the house of the Father." Last Public Appearance He was the first non-European pope and the first Jesuit to ascend the throne of St. Peter. Elected in 2013, he marked his pontificate with his commitment to the most vulnerable, to ecology, and to interreligious dialogue. His death occurred one day after his last public appearance at the Easter Blessing on Sunday, April 20, 2025, during which he appeared weakened and recited his solemn "Urbi et Orbi" blessing from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica. Italian Roots and a Family with Roots in Argentina Jorge Mario Bergoglio was born on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires to Italian immigrants. His parents, Mario José Bergoglio and Regina María Sivori, had left Italy in the 1920s and fled to Argentina to escape the economic difficulties of their homeland. This dual culture strongly influenced the future pope's vision, blending European tradition with Latin American identity. A Youth Marked by Disappointed Love Before embarking on a religious path, Jorge Mario Bergoglio experienced an incident that could have changed his life. As teenagers, Jorge and Amalia, a young girl from the Flores district of Buenos Aires, had feelings for each other. When she was between ten and twelve years old, Jorge Mario Bergoglio proposed to her. He showed her a drawing of a house with a red roof and white walls and explained that this would be her future home if they married. Amalia's parents strongly opposed the relationship. Disappointed, the young Jorge Mario Bergoglio reportedly told Amalia, "If I don't marry you, I'll become a priest." Pope Francis is dead A journey marked by trials and difficult decisions Before becoming a priest, Jorge Mario Bergoglio was interested in chemistry and even worked in a laboratory. Only after a life-changing experience in which he felt a deep religious calling did he decide to enter the seminary. He joined the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits) in 1958 and was ordained a priest in 1969. His ecclesiastical career was marked by his constant concern for the poorest. As Archbishop of Buenos Aires, he was distinguished by his humility and commitment to marginalized groups, even going so far as to prefer public transportation to official vehicles. A sister moved and worried about her brother When Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected pope in 2013, his sister, Maria Elena Bergoglio, experienced the moment with great emotion. As she announced the election, she burst into tears and admitted she thought, "Poor man," as she imagined the difficult task that awaited her brother in Rome. "What a shock, what emotions," she said outside her home in Ituzaingo, a suburb of Buenos Aires. Although she always expected her brother to assume increasing responsibilities in the Church, she confessed, "I never imagined he would become pope." A Pope Close to the Faithful and Connected to His Roots Pope Francis was the first pontiff from the Americas and the first Jesuit to hold this office. True to his values, he maintained his simple lifestyle and continued to emphasize the importance of humility and closeness to the faithful. His attachment to family, popular traditions, and social justice are all characteristics that explain his popularity and influence around the world. Pope Francis's path was marked by personal experiences and courageous decisions. From his disappointed love to his religious commitment to his family roots, every step contributed to shaping the man who embodied "a message of compassion and humanity." What We Know and Don't Know About His Successor The process to elect Pope Francis's successor will begin quickly. The conclave, reserved for eligible cardinals under the age of 80, will begin in 15 days at the earliest. The cardinals gathered in the Sistine Chapel will hold a secret ballot. To be elected, a candidate must achieve a qualified two-thirds majority. No favorite has yet emerged, and the debates will focus on the future of the Church in the context of major social, geopolitical, and spiritual challenges.