Pope Francis Passes Away; Conclave Set to Elect New Pontiff

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Pope Francis has died at the age of 88, as confirmed by the Vatican on April 21, 2025. The announcement, made by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, revealed that Francis passed away early this morning, just one day after his appearance at Saint Peter’s Square for Easter. According to reports, he had been recovering from a severe illness that included a 38-day hospitalization for double pneumonia.

In accordance with tradition, the College of Cardinals will convene in a conclave at the Sistine Chapel to elect a successor. Only cardinals under 80 years old, totaling about 138 eligible electors from the 252 cardinals, will participate in the voting process. The conclave’s procedures, which have been in place for over 700 years, involve secret ballots with smoke signals indicating the selection outcome.

Possible successors include Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State since 2013, and Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, known for his progressive stance and connections to Pope Francis. As the world anticipates the new pontiff, the Vatican prepares for the solemn process of electing the next leader of the Catholic Church.

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