Pope Francis dies at 88: Catholic Church prepares for new era amid global mourning

Pope Francis, the 88-year-old leader of the Roman Catholic Church, has died, the Vatican confirmed on April 21, 2025. His death comes just hours after he delivered his final Easter blessing, where he called for global peace and championed religious freedom. The beloved pontiff had battled serious health challenges, including a recent 38-day hospitalization for double pneumonia, but remained publicly active until the very end.

Despite his declining health, Pope Francis met with U.S. Vice President JD Vance just days before his death. Their private meeting at the Vatican centered on shared faith and humanitarian values. Vance, a Catholic convert, praised the pope’s unwavering commitment to compassion and recalled the spiritual strength Francis showed during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. The meeting has sparked renewed conversations around the pope’s impact on global politics and faith leadership.

With the pope’s passing, the Vatican has initiated the sacred process of papal succession. The papal conclave, a centuries-old tradition, will take place inside the Sistine Chapel, where 138 cardinal electors under the age of 80 will gather to select a new pope. The process, held in strict secrecy, will continue until a two-thirds majority vote elects a successor. The appearance of white smoke from the Sistine chimney will announce the next leader of the Catholic Church.

In a twist of cultural timing, the film "Conclave," starring Ralph Fiennes has exploded in popularity across social platforms, especially on X (formerly Twitter). Directed by Edward Berger, the movie explores the intense political drama and spiritual gravity behind the selection of a new pope. Viewers have drawn eerie parallels between the film’s storyline and the real-life events unfolding in the Vatican, with the hashtag #ConclaveMovie trending globally in the wake of Pope Francis's death.

As the world mourns, millions are reflecting on Pope Francis's legacy as a spiritual reformer and champion of social justice. His papacy was marked by bold stances on climate change, LGBTQ+ inclusion, immigration, and interfaith dialogue. He modernized the Church’s global message while holding firm to the values of humility and service.

The upcoming conclave is more than a ceremonial transition—it’s a pivotal moment for the Catholic Church’s future direction. As the College of Cardinals prepares to elect a new pope, the faithful around the world hold their breath, wondering what the next chapter will bring.

Pope Francis slipped into a coma after suffering a stroke and ultimately succumbed from heart failure. He will be buried at St. Mary Major Basilica in Rome. 

Sources: Mercury News – Vatican Prepares for Pope Francis’s Succession; MSN – “Conclave” Film Trends After Pope Francis’s Death; MSN – Pope Francis Met JD Vance Before Death; People – Pope Francis Gives Final Easter Blessing; Insider – How the Papal Conclave Works; Religion News – Ralph Fiennes Talks "Conclave" Film Themes