Pope Francis
In mid-February 2025, Pope Francis was admitted to the Gemelli Hospital in Rome with a respiratory tract infection and bilateral pneumonia. This led to a five-week stay before his return 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 the last words spoken by the 266th pope were, “Thank you for bringing me back to the Square,” said to his personal healthcare assistant, Massimiliano Strappetti, after a final popemobile ride following the Urbi et Orbi blessing. Pope Francis died the following day, Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at 1:35 p.m. EST in his residence at 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, 2025, in St. Peter’s Square, with his burial at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in accordance with his 2022 spiritual testament. The Vatican held a nine-day mourning period during which the papal apartments were sealed and official business was suspended.
The Conclave and Pope Leo XIV
Just a few 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 a two-thirds majority. His predecessor, Pope Francis, was elected in the same number of rounds, making both among the fastest conclaves in history. Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, 69 years old, 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 made his first pastoral outing by visiting the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Counsel in Genazzano and praying at Pope Francis’s tomb in St. Mary Major Basilica. People have already discovered photos and videos of Pope Leo XIV, most notably his attendance at Game 1 of the 2005 MLB World Series, where he rooted for the White Sox.
Fun Facts About Our New Pope
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He was a top student, appearing on the honor roll at St. Augustine Seminary High School, serving as editor-in-chief of the yearbook, and participating in the National Honor Society and mission club.
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He attended Villanova University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics in 1977.
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He is a polyglot, fluent in English, Spanish, Italian, French, and Portuguese, with proficiency in Latin and German.
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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 in a quick game of Wordle—an activity they do daily together—before entering the Sistine Chapel.
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He is the first American and Peruvian pope in history.