Pope Francis has died at the age of 88. The Vatican announced early Monday morning that the Holy Father passed away after suffering a stroke that led to a coma and heart failure. He died just hours after greeting thousands of people in St. Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday.
Pope Francis was known for his message of love, equality, and inclusion. He served as the 266th pope and worked to guide the Catholic Church into the modern world. In a tribute, Cardinal Kevin Farrell said the Pope lived the values of the Gospel with “fidelity, courage, and universal love.”
Now, the Catholic Church must choose a new leader. Cardinals from around the world will gather in Rome in the coming weeks to vote for the next pope. This process, called a conclave, is expected to begin within 15 to 20 days.
There is already speculation about who will become the next pope. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s top diplomat, is currently the favorite with odds of +150. He is known for his calm and steady leadership.
Other top candidates include:
- Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle (+300), a kind and popular leader from the Philippines.
- Cardinal Peter Turkson (+600), a strong voice for justice and the environment from Ghana.
- Cardinal Matteo Zuppi (+700), known for peace efforts and helping the poor.
- Cardinal Robert Sarah (+800), a respected figure among traditional Catholics.
Another possible choice is Cardinal Péter Erdő (+1000), a Hungarian theologian seen as a wise and balanced candidate. Some believe the Church may turn to him for his strong knowledge of doctrine and his experience in Europe’s changing society.
The election of a new pope is always full of surprises. The world now waits to see who will become the next spiritual leader for over 1.4 billion Catholics.
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