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Global Reaction to Passing of Pope Francis: Pontiff’s Reflections on Death Emerge
News of Pope Francis’s death at the age of 88 has resonated globally, prompting reflection on his life and legacy. Earlier this year, in a preface for a book, the late pontiff revealed he held no fear of death, instead embracing it as a ‘new beginning’ in eternal life with God. These poignant words, written just two months prior to his passing, offer insight into his spiritual outlook on mortality and the afterlife. The Vatican has commenced preparations for the Pope Francis funeral and the subsequent conclave to select his successor.
Pope Francis’s Perspective on Death
In a preface dated February 7th for Cardinal Angelo Scola’s book, ‘Awaiting a New Beginning. Reflections on Old Age’, Francis contemplated the concept of death.
‘Death is not the cessation of everything, but rather the commencement of something new,’ the Pope articulated in the preface, publicly released by the Vatican.
The Holy Father emphasized in his writing the importance of facing old age without apprehension and embracing the aging process. He urged individuals to pursue a life on earth filled with ‘grace and not resentment’.
Referring to death, Francis stated, ‘It represents a fresh start. Eternal life, which begins for those who love on earth through daily life, is an unending commencement.’
‘It is precisely for this reason that it is a “new” initiation, because we will experience eternity, something never fully lived before,’ he further explained.
Final Days and Passing
Pope Francis passed away yesterday morning following a cerebral stroke that led to a coma and irreversible heart failure. His death occurred while recovering in his Vatican apartment after a five-week hospital stay for pneumonia.
His last public appearance was on Easter Sunday, where he delivered a blessing and offered a final greeting to followers from the popemobile in St. Peter’s Square.
The Vatican released the first images this morning of the late pontiff lying in repose in an open coffin during the Confirmation of the Death of the Pontiff ceremony held last night.
Funeral Arrangements and Public Viewing
Approximately 60 cardinals participated in the initial meeting of the Congregation of Cardinals today. They decided that Pope Francis’s funeral will take place on Saturday morning. The public will be able to pay their respects as his body lies in state starting tomorrow.
Pope Francis, who died yesterday at 88, previously reflected on death in a book preface. His body, shown here in his coffin during the Confirmation of Death ceremony, will lie in state before the funeral. Francis stated ‘death is not the end, but a new beginning.’
Pope Francis’s body was placed in a simple wooden casket in the Domus Santa Marta hotel chapel last night. Swiss Guards stood watch as Cardinal Kevin Farrell blessed the body.
The rite confirming Pope Francis’s death and coffin placement took place last night at the Chapel of Santa Marta. Cardinal Kevin Farrell read the official declaration of death.
On Easter Sunday, Pope Francis appeared on the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica to deliver a blessing to a large crowd.
Pope Francis will be interred on Saturday after a three-day lying in state period in St. Peter’s Basilica. Large crowds of mourners are expected to attend to honor the first Latin American pontiff.
The Congregation of Cardinals convened in the Vatican’s synod hall to outline the procedures leading up to the conclave, which will select Pope Francis’s successor.
Cardinals have scheduled the funeral for Saturday at 10am local time (9am BST) in St. Peter’s Square. The outdoor space can accommodate approximately 300,000 individuals.
Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, will officiate the funeral mass.
Starting tomorrow morning, the public will have the opportunity to pay their respects as Pope Francis’s casket is moved to St. Peter’s Basilica.
Vatican officials were granted a period for private farewells yesterday evening following the Confirmation of the Death of the Pontiff ceremony.
During the ceremony, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, read aloud the official declaration of death.
Pope Francis’s body was placed in a plain wooden casket within the Domus Santa Marta hotel chapel. Swiss Guards maintained vigil while Cardinal Farrell blessed the body.
Pope Francis in his open coffin during the Confirmation of Death rite at the Chapel of Santa Marta in The Vatican.
Pope Francis’s body lying in state at the Vatican for the Confirmation of the Death of the Pontiff ceremony.
Seals affixed to the Apostolic Palace Monday evening after Pope Francis’s death.
Chipboard marks the area where Pope Francis requested burial in the Cathedral of Saint Mary Major.
Vatican photographs released today depict the Pope peacefully at rest, attired in red liturgical vestments, with a papal mitre and rosary. The Vatican secretary of state was shown in prayer beside him.
Seals were also applied to the papal apartments in the Apostolic Palace and the Chapel of Santa Marta, Pope Francis’s residence.
Following tradition, the camerlengo will break the Fisherman’s Ring and destroy the papal seal dies before sealing the apartments. These items will be interred with the Pope.
Interregnum Period and Conclave Preparations
A nine-day official mourning period has commenced. However, the conclave process to elect the next pope will not commence for at least 15 days following Pope Francis’s death.
While no date has been set for the conclave, current norms suggest it will not begin before May 5th.
The Congregation of Cardinals designated three cardinals to assist the camerlengo in administering the Vatican during the interregnum period, prior to the new papal election.
Cardinal Farrell will manage the Holy See’s administrative and financial affairs until a new pope is installed.
The assisting cardinals include Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Cardinal Stanislaw Rylko, and Cardinal Fabbio Baggio.
These cardinals will be replaced after three days by another trio to support the interim Vatican administration.
Cardinals queued in the Sistine Chapel to swear secrecy before the 2013 conclave.
The formal papal apartments in the Apostolic Palace were sealed last evening, following a centuries-old ritual.
Cardinal Farrell, as camerlengo, oversaw the ritual, announcing and confirming Pope Francis’s death.
Pope Francis had resided in the Domus Santa Marta hotel, not the papal palace. He passed away there, and his body was moved to the hotel chapel for a private viewing for Vatican officials.
In a departure from past practices, Pope Francis’s coffin is simplified, with a wooden exterior and zinc interior, unlike the traditional triple coffin.
In St. Peter’s Basilica, his coffin will be placed simply, facing the pews, with the Paschal candle nearby, not on an elevated bier.
World Leaders to Attend Funeral
President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump plan to attend the funeral. French President Emmanuel Macron has also confirmed his attendance.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also intends to travel to Italy for the funeral, according to presidential sources.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and First Lady Janja Lula da Silva will attend. Argentine President Javier Milei is also expected to be present.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that President Vladimir Putin, whose travel is limited, has no plans to attend.
Cardinal Camerlengo Kevin Joseph Farrell sealing Pope Francis’s private apartment in the ‘Domus Sanctae Marthae’ hotel at the Vatican.
Pope Francis, in red vestments holding a rosary, lies in state at the Chapel of Santa Marta.
Cardinals arrive at the Vatican today for the Congregation of Cardinals meeting.
Burial Wishes and Final Will
In his final will, Pope Francis stipulated his burial at the St. Mary Major Basilica, outside the Vatican, home to his favored icon of the Virgin Mary.
He frequently visited the basilica to pray before the Byzantine icon.
Pope Francis visited the basilica after his hospital stay in March and again on April 12th to pray before the Madonna.
His will, dated June 29, 2022, indicated that burial expenses would be covered by an anonymous benefactor, according to Italian media reports.
‘The tomb must be in the earth; simple, without decoration, with only the inscription: Franciscus,’ his will reportedly stated.
‘The expenses for my burial will be covered by a benefactor, to be transferred to the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, with instructions provided to Monsignor Rolandas Makrickas.’
The dean of the College of Cardinals will preside over the funeral service.
The current dean is Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, with Cardinal Leonardo Sandri as vice dean.
Cardinals Re and Farrell will play pivotal roles in the coming days, convening cardinals and preparing for the conclave.
Pope Francis died yesterday at 88 after a cerebral stroke. He is pictured delivering a blessing in St. Peter’s Square in 2014.
Novendiali Period and Conclave Process
Following the funeral, a nine-day mourning period, known as ‘novendiali’, will occur.
During this time, cardinals will gather in Rome for meetings preceding the conclave.
The conclave must begin 15-20 days after the ‘sede vacante’ declaration to allow for cardinal assembly, potentially sooner if agreed upon.
Cardinal-electors will reside within the Vatican in isolation. The conclave will commence in the Sistine Chapel for secret voting sessions.
Voting involves cardinals writing candidate names on cards, folding them, and placing them in a chalice.
Scrutineers count and read the votes aloud, and cardinals thread the cards together.
Up to four ballots occur daily until a two-thirds majority is achieved. Results are recorded by cardinals.
If no majority is reached, ballots are burned with chemicals to create black smoke.
Nuns and faithful gather at St. Mary Major basilica in Rome, where Pope Francis will be buried.
Cardinals pictured in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican.
Catholic mourners pay tribute to Pope Francis at St. Mary Major basilica.
The process can involve numerous rounds as cardinals reconsider votes, potentially shifting support to stronger candidates.
Factions negotiate during inter-vote discussions.
Upon reaching a two-thirds majority, the dean asks the elected cardinal for acceptance.
Acceptance leads to choosing a papal name, donning papal vestments, and procession to St. Peter’s Basilica balcony.
Final ballots are burned, producing white smoke to signal the election of a new pope.
Black smoke signifies no election. White smoke signals the selection of the next head of the Catholic Church.
The new Pope greets the world from the balcony, imparting his blessing.
The senior cardinal deacon announces ‘Habemus Papam’ (‘We have a Pope’) before the new pope’s address and blessing.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell announced Pope Francis’s death, “Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis.”
Cardinals, including Cardinal Vincent Nichols and Cardinal Timothy Radcliffe, will participate in the papal vote.
Church rules mandate the conclave to begin within 15-20 days of the Pope’s death.
There is no time limit for the process. The longest conclave lasted 34 months.
Cardinals, including Cardinal Vincent Nichols and Cardinal Timothy Radcliffe, will participate in the upcoming vote for the next pope.
Aged 79, they are just under the voting age cut-off.
While all 252 cardinals can attend, only those under 80 can vote, known as cardinal electors, limited to 120. Currently, 138 are eligible.
Asked about the next pope, Cardinal Nichols emphasized the need for ‘great inner strength, and great inner peace,’ and ‘closeness to God and peace are absolute essentials.’
Cardinal Radcliffe noted, ‘we always open ourselves to be surprised. All recent popes have been quite different.’
Global Tributes and Condolences
Bells tolled globally, and flags flew at half-staff after Pope Francis’s death announcement.
Sports events were suspended in Italy and Argentina to honor the Pope.
Tributes arrived globally, praising Pope Francis’s compassion, moral leadership, and advocacy for the marginalized.
Ordinary faithful remembered his humanity and simplicity.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called Pope Francis ‘a Pope for the poor, the downtrodden and the forgotten’.
The King described him as someone who had ‘profoundly touched the lives of so many’.
Prayers offered before Pope Francis’s portrait at the Manila Cathedral.
Pilgrims mourn Pope Francis’s death in St. Peter’s Square.
Nuns mourn the death of Pope Francis at the Vatican.
China’s foreign ministry conveyed condolences, noting ‘constructive contact’ and ‘friendly exchanges’ with the Vatican, expressing willingness to improve relations.
East Timor’s President Jose Ramos-Horta praised Pope Francis’s courage.
Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu acknowledged Pope Francis’s calls for justice and peace.
Reactions to Pope Francis’s stance on the Ukraine conflict varied, with some criticizing perceived neutrality.
Putin’s condolence message praised Francis’s humanism and justice advocacy. Zelensky noted the Pope’s prayers for peace in Ukraine.
Critics also noted Pope Francis’s handling of clergy abuse and women’s ordination.