The Vatican officially announced the death of Pope Francis at his residence on Monday, April 21, at 7:35 a.m. Vatican time. The 88-year-old pontiff passed away due to complications following a stroke, which led to a coma and subsequent heart failure.
Confirmation of Pope Francis’s death came through an electrocardiographic thanatography, a form of official certification issued by Arcangeli to the Directorate of Health and Hygiene of the Vatican City State.
Alongside the announcement, the Vatican released Pope Francis’s spiritual will, dated June 29, 2022. In it, he expressed his final wishes, including burial instructions. He requested that his body rest in the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major, where he often prayed before and after each Apostolic Journey. The will also stated that his grave should be simple and unadorned, in keeping with his lifelong commitment to humility.
Since February 2025, Pope Francis had been hospitalized in Rome due to bronchitis. His health had significantly deteriorated in recent weeks after being diagnosed with double pneumonia, which required over a month of intensive care. His 12-year papacy was marked by several health challenges, yet he continued to serve with dedication and compassion.
Vatican Embassy in Jakarta Opens for Condolences
Cardinal Ignatius Suharyo Hardjoatmodjo announced that the Vatican Embassy in Jakarta would open its doors to those wishing to offer condolences. “The embassy will welcome guests who want to express their sympathies and write messages in the guestbook starting tomorrow morning through Thursday afternoon,” said Cardinal Ignatius on Monday, as quoted by antaranews.com.
Meanwhile, The Vatican announced that a nine-day mourning period would begin immediately. Pope Francis’s funeral will be held shortly after and is expected to reflect the modesty he requested in his will.
A Legacy of Simplicity and Compassion
The Vatican announced that a nine-day mourning period would begin immediately. Pope Francis’s funeral will be held shortly after and is expected to reflect the modesty he requested in his will.
Cardinal Ignatius highlighted the simplicity that defined Pope Francis’s life and leadership. “This simplicity could be seen in his lifestyle choices,” he said, noting that Pope Francis chose not to reside in the Apostolic Palace but lived in a modest apartment within the Vatican.
This humble attitude was also evident during his historic visit to Indonesia in September 2024. The Pope opted to use a locally popular vehicle instead of a luxury car, a decision that resonated deeply with the Indonesian people. “He was very happy to visit Indonesia,” Cardinal Ignatius recalled. “He often said, ‘I always see smiling faces, never angry or stern expressions—always smiles.’”
Who Could Be the Next Pope? Potential Papabile Candidates
As the Catholic Church begins the process of electing a new pope, attention has turned to several cardinals considered papabile, or likely contenders. While no official candidates have been announced, the following names are frequently mentioned:
- Jean-Marc Aveline – Archbishop of Marseille, France, 66
- Cardinal Peter Erdo – Hungarian, 72
- Cardinal Mario Grech – General Secretary of the Synod of Bishops, Malta, 68
- Cardinal Juan Jose Omella – Archbishop of Barcelona, Spain, 79
- Cardinal Pietro Parolin – Italian, Vatican diplomat, 70
- Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle – Filipino, 67
- Cardinal Joseph Tobin – Archbishop of Newark, U.S., 72
- Cardinal Peter Turkson – Ghanaian, Vatican official, 76
- Matteo Maria Zuppi – Archbishop of Bologna, Italy, 69
These cardinals represent a broad geographic and ideological spectrum, and their names will likely come up frequently in the upcoming papal conclave.
Source: antaranews.com, reuters.com
Photo Credit: Buda Mendes//GettyImages
