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The world mourns the recent passing of Pope Francis, the 266th pontiff of the Catholic Church. Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, he succeeded Pope Benedict XVI and chose his papal name to honor Saint Francis of Assisi. Elected by the College of Cardinals, Pope Francis’s death marks the end of a significant era, prompting global reflection on his influential papacy.
Remembering Pope Francis
Francis, the first Jesuit pope from the Americas and the first born outside Europe, dedicated his papacy to addressing critical global issues, notably climate change and social activism. He passionately advocated for universal love and compassion, famously quoting from the First Letter of John: “Let us love one another, because love is of God. Everyone who loves is born of God. … If God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”
This article examines ключевые аспекты of Francis’s time as pope, including his ascension to the papacy, the circumstances surrounding his death, and speculation regarding his potential successor.
Pope Francis’s Life and Tenure
Age at Death
Pope Francis was 88 years old at the time of his death.
Ascension to Papacy
Francis assumed the papacy as the 266th pope in March 2013.
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Details Surrounding His Death
While the Vatican has not officially disclosed the specific cause of Pope Francis’s death, it is understood that he passed away following a period of declining health and multiple illnesses. His most recent health challenge was bilateral pneumonia, which required hospitalization in February 2025.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell announced the death of Pope Francis on April 21, 2025, stating, “At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. 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.”
Speculation on the Next Pope
Reuters has identified several potential candidates who could succeed Pope Francis as the next leader of the Catholic Church:
- Jean-Marc Aveline, Archbishop of Marseille; 66 years old; French
- Cardinal Peter Erdo; 72 years old; Hungarian
- Cardinal Mario Grech, Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops; 68 years old; Maltese
- Cardinal Juan Jose Omella, Archbishop of Barcelona; 79 years old; Spanish
- Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Diplomat; 70 years old; Italian
- Cardinal Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle; 67 years old; Filipino
- Cardinal Joseph Tobin, Archbishop of Newark, N.J.; 72 years old; American
- Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson, Vatican Official; 76 years old; Ghanaian
- Matteo Maria Zuppi, Archbishop of Bologna; 69 years old; Italian