Pope Francis Passes Away at 88 in Vatican City

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Pope Francis, the first Latin American Pope, passed away on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88. Hailing from Argentina, he was the first Pope from the Global South and originally named Jorge Mario Bergoglio. He was elected Pope in March 2013, following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. Notably, he was the first non-European to hold the position in over 1,300 years.

Pope Francis had been suffering from pneumonia and was discharged from the hospital on March 23. On Easter Sunday, he made his first prolonged public appearance since his illness. As the head of the Catholic Church and the Vatican City—the world’s smallest country by area—since 2013, Pope Francis left a significant legacy. In this article, we will explore the life of Pope Francis, his contributions, and discuss potential successors for competitive exams like Punjab PCS, UPSC, SSC, CGL, Patwari, and others.

Early Life and Education of Pope Francis

Pope Francis, originally named Jorge Mario Bergoglio, was born on December 17, 1936, in Flores, Buenos Aires, Argentina. He was the son of Italian immigrants. After completing high school, he became a chemical technician and worked in the food-processing industry. However, he felt a calling to serve the Church.

At the age of 21, he suffered a severe bout of pneumonia, which led to the removal of part of his right lung. In 1958, he entered the Jesuit novitiate and pursued academic studies in humanities in Santiago, Chile. After graduation, he taught literature and psychology in a high school while pursuing a degree in theology. He was ordained as a priest in 1969 and later served as the superior head of the Jesuit province of Argentina from 1973 to 1979.

Becoming the Pope

In 2013, Pope Benedict XVI resigned due to old age and health concerns. Jorge Mario Bergoglio was subsequently elected as the new Pope, choosing the name Francis. This name honored St. Francis of Assisi, who lived a humble life dedicated to serving the poor, and also recalled St. Francis Xavier, a founding member of the Jesuits.

Potential Successors to Pope Francis

According to Roman Catholic tradition, any baptized male is eligible to become Pope. However, since 1378, only cardinals—high-ranking priests in the Roman Catholic Church—have been chosen for the position. Below are some leading candidates to succeed Pope Francis:

Cardinal Matteo Zuppi
- From Italy, aged 69. A protege of Pope Francis, he headed the Italian Bishops’ Conference.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin
- Also from Italy, aged 70. He served as Pope Francis’s Secretary of State and is a veteran Vatican diplomat.
Cardinal Luis Tagle
- From the Philippines, aged 67. Brought in by Pope Francis to lead the Vatican’s massive missionary office.
Cardinal Christoph Schönborn
- From Austria, aged 80. A former student of Pope Benedict XVI.

Selection Procedure for the Pope

The process of electing a Pope is straightforward but deeply traditional. Only cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to vote, and currently, there are 135 eligible cardinals, though regulations limit the number of electors to 120. India has four cardinals eligible to participate in the election:

Filipe Neri Ferrão
Baselios Cleemis
Anthony Poola
George Jacob Koovakad

The voting takes place in the Sistine Chapel. If no candidate receives two-thirds of the votes in the first ballot, two ballots are held each morning and two each afternoon. Each cardinal writes their choice on a ballot, folds it in half, places it on a tray, and tips it into a receptacle. Three designated cardinals then check the ballots. Results are announced after every round. If no decision is reached, the ballots are pierced with a needle and thread, then burned in a stove after each voting session. Black smoke emerging from the chimney indicates no decision, while white smoke signals the selection of a new Pope, followed by the tolling of bells.

State Mourning in India

Following the sudden demise of Pope Francis, the Indian government announced three days of state mourning to honor the reformist Pope Francis. Pope Francis upheld Church teachings opposing abortion, the death penalty, nuclear weapons, and other social injustices.

The Origins of the Papacy and Vatican City as the Seat of the Pope

The history of the Pope and Vatican City is very old and important for understanding the Catholic Church. Let’s break it down in simple terms so it’s easy to understand, especially for Indian readers preparing for exams.

Who Was the First Pope?

The first Pope was Saint Peter , one of Jesus Christ’s twelve apostles. According to the Bible, Jesus gave Peter a special role as the leader of His Church. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus said to Peter:

“You are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my church.”

This means Peter became the foundation of the Christian Church. After Jesus died, Peter traveled to Rome, which was the capital of the Roman Empire at that time. He worked hard to spread Christianity but was eventually killed by Emperor Nero around 64 AD. Peter was crucified upside down because he felt unworthy to die like Jesus.

Peter’s tomb is believed to be under St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. This is why Rome became the center of Christianity, and all Popes after Peter have been seen as his successors.

Why Does the Pope Live in Vatican City?

Vatican City is the smallest country in the world, and it’s where the Pope lives and works. But why is this tiny city the Pope’s home? Here’s the story:

1. Rome Became the Center of Christianity

In the early days of Christianity, Rome was the most powerful city in the world because it was the capital of the Roman Empire. When Saint Peter came to Rome and became the leader of the Christian community there, Rome naturally became the heart of the Church. Over time, the Bishop of Rome (who later became known as the Pope) became the most important Christian leader.

2. The Pope’s Power Grew

As the Roman Empire fell apart, the Pope’s influence grew. Not only was he a spiritual leader, but he also became involved in politics and ruling parts of Italy. For centuries, the Pope controlled large areas of land called the Papal States . These lands made the Pope both a religious and political leader.

3. Conflict with Italy

In the 1800s, Italy became a unified country, and the Italian government took over the Papal States, leaving the Pope without any land to rule. This created a big problem because the Pope didn’t want to be under the control of the Italian government. For many years, the Pope stayed inside the Vatican, refusing to leave until the issue was resolved.

4. The Lateran Treaty (1929)

In 1929, the Pope and the Italian government signed an agreement called the Lateran Treaty . This treaty created Vatican City as an independent country. It gave the Pope his own small piece of land where he could live and work freely, without interference from anyone else. That’s why Vatican City exists today—it ensures the Pope can lead the Catholic Church without being controlled by another nation.

What Makes Vatican City Special?

Vatican City is not just a place where the Pope lives; it’s full of history and symbolism:

St. Peter’s Basilica : This huge church is built over the tomb of Saint Peter. Millions of people visit it every year to pray and see its beautiful architecture.
Sistine Chapel : Famous for Michelangelo’s paintings on the ceiling, this chapel is where new Popes are elected.
Symbol of Independence : Vatican City is like a tiny country within Rome. It has its own flag, currency, and even a postal service. This independence helps the Pope focus on leading the Church without worrying about outside pressures.

How Did the Role of the Pope Change Over Time?

The job of the Pope has changed a lot over the centuries:

Early Days : The Pope was mainly a spiritual leader who guided Christians in their faith.
Middle Ages : The Pope became very powerful, ruling lands and influencing kings and emperors.
Reformation Era : During the 1500s, some Christians broke away from the Catholic Church, starting Protestantism. This forced the Pope to make changes to keep the Church strong.
Modern Times : Today, the Pope focuses more on spreading messages of peace, love, and helping the poor. For example, Pope Francis has spoken out about caring for the environment and helping refugees.

Why Should Indian Students Know This?

For competitive exams like UPSC, SSC, or other government tests, understanding the history of the Pope and Vatican City is important. Questions about religion, history, and international relations often come up. Knowing how the papacy began, why Vatican City exists, and what the Pope does can help you answer these questions confidently.