Pope Francis died: Welt mourns the loss of the Peace Papst

Pope Francis died: Welt mourns the loss of the Peace Papst

Vatikanstadt, Vatikan - On April 21, 2025, Pope Francis died at the age of 88. The Vatican confirmed death at 7:35 a.m. Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, was after the resignation of Benedict XVI. elected Pope in March 2013. He was the first non-European in the papal office for over 1,200 years and had a term in which he led around 1.4 billion Catholics. Despite health problems, including several hospital stays, he kept the important church tasks. Most recently, he lived in his residence in the Vatican and had donated the blessing Urbi et Orbi on Easter Sunday, even though he appeared weakened.

Franziskus had suffered from health problems for years, including severe pneumonia, which is why he was in the hospital for 38 days in spring 2023. In addition, he had an intestinal operation in 2021 and suffered from knee problems. His activities restricted these health challenges, but he continued to comment on church and global political issues.

grief for an important Pope

The reactions to Francis' death are overwhelming. Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier praised him as an important pope and "man of peace". Georg Bätzing, the chairman of the German Bishops' Conference, described him as a brave renewer, while EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized his modesty and love for the less happy. The designated Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz also emphasized his commitment to the weakest.

After the death of Pope Francis, a conclave will take place in the Sistine chapel to choose a new Pope. The cardinals under the age of 80 are entitled to vote. The successor will be the 267th Pope. The choice will be under a special focus, since the Catholic Church and the world hope for changes that Francis had initiated but could not fully implement. There is currently a nine -day mourning time (Novendiale) before the burial that will take place with state guests.

health and challenges

Franziskus' Health was a central topic of his term. The church historian Jörg Ernesti explains that the time has been a "reinvention" in the papacy since 1800 and emphasizes that the expectations of future popes are particularly high. This could lead to excessive demands, especially in a context in which the church has to transform itself in order to remain relevant. The challenges, especially with regard to the sexual abuse crisis and the associated scandalous incidents, will remain urgent for the coming Pope.

In his time as a Pope, Francis awarded the room for participation. This is how the world synod was created, which for the first time also included women in their considerations. However, concrete reforms could not be implemented sustainably during his tenure, which will present the new Pope with great challenges.

Francis chose the Roman Marienkirche Santa Maria Maggiore as his last resting place, which underlines its connection with the tradition of the Catholic Church. After his death there is not only grief, but also space for reflection on the topics he initiated and the difficulties that continue to exist. As maz-online.de And exciting for the church, especially in view of the necessary reforms that must be tackled by the following popes. The Tagesspiegel and katholisch.de provide further insights into the context of this historical moment.