Pope Francis died on Monday aged 88, a day after making an appearance at Saint Peter's Square on Easter Sunday, the Vatican said in a statement.
"This morning at 7:35 am (0535 GMT) the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father," said Cardinal Kevin Farrell in the statement published by the Vatican on its Telegram channel.
“He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with faithfulness, courage, and universal love, especially for 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 God, One and Tribune," he added.
'Pope Francis has returned to the home of the Father': Vatican in video statement - follow live updates
With Pope Francis passing away, many are now wondering who could be next in line.
Who will be the next Pope ?
As of January 22, 2025, the conclave regulations specify that among the 252 cardinals, only 138 electors are eligible to participate. The age restriction mandates that only cardinals below 80 years can cast their votes in the confidential balloting process held at the Sistine Chapel, the Independent reported.
The voting procedure consists of four daily rounds that continue until a candidate secures a significant two-thirds majority. According to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops website, this electoral process generally extends between 15 to 20 days.
Several prominent Cardinals are considered potential successors, including:
"This morning at 7:35 am (0535 GMT) the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father," said Cardinal Kevin Farrell in the statement published by the Vatican on its Telegram channel.
“He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with faithfulness, courage, and universal love, especially for 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 God, One and Tribune," he added.
'Pope Francis has returned to the home of the Father': Vatican in video statement - follow live updates
With Pope Francis passing away, many are now wondering who could be next in line.
Who will be the next Pope ?
As of January 22, 2025, the conclave regulations specify that among the 252 cardinals, only 138 electors are eligible to participate. The age restriction mandates that only cardinals below 80 years can cast their votes in the confidential balloting process held at the Sistine Chapel, the Independent reported.
The voting procedure consists of four daily rounds that continue until a candidate secures a significant two-thirds majority. According to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops website, this electoral process generally extends between 15 to 20 days.
Several prominent Cardinals are considered potential successors, including:
- ·Cardinal Pietro Parolin – the Vatican's Secretary of State
- Cardinal Peter Erdö- former president of the Council of Bishops Conferences of Europe
- Cardinal Peter Turkson (Ghana) – former head of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace
- Cardinal Luis Tagle – Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples and former Archbishop of Manila
- Cardinal Matteo Zuppi - president of the Episcopal Conference of Italy since May 2022
- Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke- cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI in 2010
- Additional potential candidates include Cardinals, Gerhard Muller, Angelo Scola, Angelo Bagnasco, Raymond Burke, Robert Sarah and Malcolm Ranjith.
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