Pope Francis Dies at 88, Leaving a Lasting Legacy of Humanity and Reform

White smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel on May 8, 2025, signaling the election of the 267th pope by a conclave of 133 cardinals, according to reports. The announcement thrilled the thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square, who erupted in cheers and waved flags while exclaiming, “Viva il papa!” at approximately 6:07 PM local time. The new pope’s name will be revealed later as a senior cardinal announces “Habemus Papam!” marking the formal introduction of the newly elected leader of the Catholic Church. The election comes after the cardinals participated in a secretive and centuries-old process; previous ballots had yielded black smoke, indicating no decision had yet been reached. The crowd at St. Peter's included pilgrims and media from across the globe. As discussions about potential candidates circulated, Cardinal Pietro Parolin emerged as a leading contender. Various assessments of the outgoing papacy suggested mixed views, with some arguing for a shift towards more progressive actions. The election marks a significant moment for the global Catholic community, with hopes for a leader to further the outreach initiated by Pope Francis.

A new pope has been elected, marked by white smoke billowing from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel and the ringing of St. Peter's bells, following a conclave of 133 cardinal electors. Voting commenced on Wednesday afternoon, and after a series of ballots, the decision was reached at approximately 6:08 p.m. local time on Thursday. The identity of the newly elected pontiff and his chosen name will be disclosed from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, where he will also deliver his first public address. The conclave was necessitated by the death of Pope Francis on April 21, who led over 1.4 billion Catholics for 12 years, advocating for modernization within the Church on issues such as women's ordination and LGBT inclusion. Key candidates for succession included Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, among others. During the voting process, cardinals remained secluded, pledging confidentiality, with only the smoke signaling the outcome. Historical data suggests that the average number of ballots required to elect a pope has been about 7.2 over the last decade.

Pope Francis, aged 88, is facing a serious health crisis as he battles pneumonia in both lungs. According to The Sun, the pontiff has privately expressed concerns to his aides that he may not survive this illness and is reportedly preparing for his legacy, including considerations for a successor. He was hospitalized last Friday at Rome's Gemelli hospital after a week-long fight against bronchitis that worsened significantly. Despite an earlier update from the Vatican indicating that he was in stable condition, reports on Wednesday revealed that Pope Francis had a peaceful night but is still facing challenges due to asthmatic bronchitis, which is complicating his pneumonia treatment. Doctors are treating him with cortisone and antibiotics, as his respiratory infection is attributed to a mix of viruses and bacteria. Following his admission, the Vatican disclosed that the Pope has undergone various tests, including chest X-rays, due to his complicated medical history, which includes the removal of part of his right lung in his youth. His hospitalization underscores the serious nature of his condition, with both lungs affected by the infection.