The Passing of Pope Francis and the Rise of Pope Leo XIV

The Passing of Pope Francis and the Rise of Pope Leo XIV

Pope Francis
In mid-February 2025, Pope Francis was admitted to the Gemelli Hospital in Rome with a respiratory tract infection and bilateral pneumonia. He remained there for five weeks before returning to the Vatican. His last public appearance was on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025, in St. Peter’s Square, where he delivered an Easter address calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, urging Hamas to release hostages, and condemning rising antisemitism. Among his final words were, “Thank you for bringing me back to the Square,” spoken to his personal healthcare assistant, Massimiliano Strappetti, after a final ride in the popemobile following the Urbi et Orbi blessing.

Pope Francis died the next day—Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at 1:35 p.m. EST—at his residence in the Domus Sanctae Marthae in Vatican City. The cause was a severe cerebral stroke that led to irreversible cardiac arrest. A Requiem Mass was celebrated on April 26 in St. Peter’s Square, and he was buried at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, in accordance with his 2022 spiritual testament. The Vatican observed a nine-day mourning period, during which the papal apartments were sealed and official business was suspended.

The Conclave and Pope Leo XIV

Approximately two weeks later, the College of Cardinals convened in the Sistine Chapel on May 7, 2025, with 133 of the 252 total cardinals eligible to vote and agreeing to participate. The conclave ended in less than two days with Robert Francis Prevost being elected in the fifth round with over two-thirds majority vote. His predecessor, Pope Francis, was elected in the same number of rounds in one of the fastest conclaves in history. Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost is 69 years old and was the former Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and the first American cardinal in the conclave. Upon his election, Prevost chose the name Pope Leo XIV, honoring both papal tradition and his Augustinian heritage. On May 10, 2025, Pope Leo XIV had his first pastoral outing when he visited the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Counsel in Genazzano, and prayed at Pope Francis’s tomb in St. Mary Major Basilica. People have already found pictures and videos of Pope Leo XIV most notably his attendance of Game 1 of the 2005 MLB World Series rooting for the White Sox. 

Fun Facts About Our New Pope 

1. He was a top student, appearing on the honor roll at St. Augustine Seminary High School, as well as taking the position of editor in chief of his yearbook, and a member of National Honor Society and mission club.
2. He attended Villanova University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree of Science in Mathematics in 1977. 
3. He is a polyglot. He is fluent in English, Spanish, Italian, French and Portuguese as well as proficiency in Latin and German.
4. To “keep his mind off life in the real world,” Pope Leo XIV watched the movie Conclave before participating in the actual one. His brother John also noted that Leo XIV got a quick game of Wordle in, an activity that he does daily with John, before entering the Sistine Chapel.
5. He is the first American and Peruvian Pope in history. 

Many believe that he will continue the work and direction undertaken by Pope Francis and promote care of the poor and inclusion of those marginalized by society.