Pope Francis has died. What happens now?
- André Escaleira, Jr.
- 2 hours ago
- 5 min read
The Vatican announced Monday that our Holy Father Pope Francis has passed away.
On February 14, he was admitted to the hospital for what would be diagnosed as bilateral pneumonia. As previously reported, the pontiff was no stranger to respiratory illnesses, having suffered from bouts of bronchitis and other infections regularly and even having a part of a lung removed when he was a young man.
The Vatican reported that Pope Francis remained in high spirits throughout his hospitalization, though his prognosis was serious. He continued to care for the Universal Church as he was able.
He was released from the hospital on March 23 and, since then, was seen around the Vatican as he convalesced.
Monday, Pope Francis "returned to the house of the Father," Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican camerlengo, said.
"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," Cardinal Farrell continued.
“Bishop Jorge Rodriguez and I are grateful to God for Pope Francis’ powerful example of humility, prayer and service to the Church for the past twelve years," stated Denver Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila. "From the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy in 2015 to his prayer in St. Peter's Square during COVID to this ordinary Jubilee of Hope this year, from his weekly Angelus messages to his encyclicals and writings, he continually called us to encounter Jesus Christ, to accompany others as Christ did with mercy and tenderness, and to draw near to the Father’s heart in this apostolic age.
"His special emphasis on seeking out the lost and marginalized has encouraged many to encounter Jesus, who is our Savior, the Way, the Truth and the Life. As we mourn his passing, may we remember his call to preach the Gospel courageously, joyfully and full of hope. Yesterday, as we celebrated Easter, Pope Francis reminded us, ‘All those who put their hope in God place their feeble hands in his strong and mighty hand; they let themselves be raised up and set out on a journey. Together with the risen Jesus, they become pilgrims of hope, witnesses of the victory of love and of the disarmed power of Life.’ Let us be those who set out on mission to proclaim Jesus Christ Risen to our world! Please join Bishop Rodriguez and me in praying for Pope Francis’ peaceful repose in the hands of the Father. May he and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.”
What happens now?
Globally
With the recent revision of papal funeral rites, Pope Francis’ funeral liturgies will look different from what many remember of Pope St. John Paul II’s in 2005 and Pope Benedict XVI’s in 2022.
First, the confirmation of his passing will occur in his private chapel. Cardinal Farrell, the camerlengo, the clergyman who oversees the Vatican until a new pope is elected, will call Pope Francis by his baptismal name three times, to confirm there is no response. Since his papal identity and role ends upon his death, Pope Francis will be called by his baptismal name.
Pope Francis’ passing triggers the traditional novemdiales, or nine days of mourning complete with Masses for the Holy Father.
It is certain that Catholic churches around the world already begun praying for Pope Francis’ peaceful repose upon hearing of the news of his passing, with Mass intentions including the pontiff by name. But, more formally, dioceses worldwide will likely begin planning special commemorations for the Holy Father, similar to those Masses hosted following the death of Pope Benedict XVI.
Locally
In the Archdiocese of Denver, those Masses will take place at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Denver. As a minor basilica, a title conferred by the Holy Father, the downtown church has been granted certain special privileges and honors and retains a special connection to the Vicar of Christ. The Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception received the designation on Christmas 1979.
Since the news broke of the Holy Father’s passing, the Cathedral has lowered the ombrellino, the special yellow-and-red umbrella used in certain processions that is a symbol of the Pope’s authority, representing a vacant Holy See. Those in Downtown Denver may have also noticed the Cathedral’s bells tolling in a slow, somber, funerary toll. Additionally, the Cathedral has also placed a picture of Pope Francis in the sanctuary, draped in a black priestly stole with a candle at its side, together with a prayer for his peaceful repose.
In the coming days, throughout the period of mourning, Masses and other prayers will be offered for Pope Francis at the Cathedral and at parishes across the world. Given the unique nature of the special Masses for the Holy Father, plans have not yet been finalized but are forthcoming.
In Rome
At the Vatican, funeral preparations will begin under the revised, simplified norms promulgated last year. Archbishop Diego Ravelli, master of pontifical ceremonies, explained that the new norms reflect Pope Francis’ desire that “the funeral of the Roman Pontiff is that of a pastor and a disciple of Christ, and not of a powerful person of this world.”
Once those funeral liturgies conclude, Pope Francis will be buried at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome, the very site where he would often seek the Blessed Mother’s prayers and guidance.
A conclave to elect the next pope will not be convoked for about 20 days, until after the traditional mourning period, plus extra time to allow the cardinals to make their way to Rome from the corners of the world.
“I am with you…” (Mt 28:20)
Though many things remain uncertain — when the funeral liturgies will take place, who the next pope will be and what the Church might look like under his reign — one thing is abundantly clear: Jesus Christ remains with his Church.
Before he ascended to the Father, he told his disciples, “I am with you until the end of the age” (Mt 28:20). Earlier in the Gospels, he even went so far as to promise that the Church would survive any uncertainty or threat, telling St. Peter, “Upon this rock I build my Church, and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it” (Mt 16:18).
No matter what comes next, God is with us, guiding his Church and active in our lives. All we can do — in fact, precisely what we are called to do – is pray for our mother, the Church at this hour of mourning and change.
Eternal rest grant unto Pope Francis, O Lord. And come, Holy Spirit.
