The death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday morning, April 21, 2025, marks the end of a significant era for the Catholic Church. He passed away at the age of 88 after battling a complex respiratory infection. “The death has been identified as a stroke, followed by a coma and irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse”, as reported by the Vatican News. His death has left the Christian community all over the world mourning for his Holiness death.
Pope Francis Dies At 88
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Pope Francis passed away on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88. He died peacefully at his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta. Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, confirmed his death with a statement from Casa Santa Marta.
“Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of His Church. He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially in favor of the poorest and most marginalized. With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the One and Triune God.”
Total Number of Cardinals Selecting The Next Pope
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The College of Cardinals has 252 members, but only 135 are eligible to vote for the next pope. Of these, 53 are from Europe, with Italy having the most representation with 17 eligible cardinals. The United States follows with 10 eligible cardinals.
How Many Cardinals Are Eligible To Voting For The New Pope From The US?
According to the Holy See Press Office, there are 17 American cardinals, but only 10 are eligible to vote. None of them are from North or South Carolina, and the youngest eligible elector from the US is 69 years old.
Indian Cardinals Who Are Eligible To Vote For The New Pope
- Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrao: Archbishop of Goa and Daman and Patriarch of the East Indies.
- Cardinal Baselios Cleemis: Major Archbishop-Catholicos of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church.
- Cardinal Anthony Poola: Archbishop of Hyderabad (first Dalit cardinal).
- Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad: Cardinal-Deacon of S. Antonio di Padova a Circonvallazione Appia.
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How Is The New Pope Selected?
“The voting members, known as cardinal electors, are tasking with voting in a successor when the current pope dies or resigns”, according to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. The cardinals vote privately by secret ballot. The results are then read aloud and recorded by three cardinals chosen to keep track of the votes. A candidate needs two-thirds of the vote to be elected. If no one meets this, the ballots are burned with chemicals in a stove near the chapel, creating black smoke visible to the crowds at the Vatican.
A candidate needs two-thirds of the vote to win. If no one gets enough votes, the ballots are burned with chemicals, creating black smoke that can be seen by crowds at the Vatican. When a new pope is elected, white smoke will rise from the Sistine Chapel, announcing the decision. This moment is usually broadcast to Catholics around the world.
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Pope Francis's Funeral Date And Time
The Holy See Press Office recently announced that Pope Francis' funeral Mass will be held on April 26, 2025, Saturday, at 10:00 am in St. Peter's Square.
Pope Francis' leadership and contributions to the Church and the world have left a lasting impact, and the funeral will be a time for reflection and prayer, marking the end of an era.
The selection of the next pope is a momentous event in the life of the Catholic Church, with far-reaching implications for millions of faithful around the world.
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