Pope Francis, the 266th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, passed away at the age of 88 on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta. The Holy See announced his death at 9:45 AM local time, with Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, delivering the solemn news.
“With deep sorrow, I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father,” Cardinal Farrell stated, paying tribute to the Pope’s unwavering dedication to the Church and his profound compassion for the poor and marginalised.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Pope Francis was ordained a priest in 1969. He ascended to the papacy on March 13, 2013, following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, marking a historic moment as the first Pope from the Americas and the first Jesuit to hold the position. He chose the name Francis in honour of Saint Francis of Assisi, symbolising his commitment to humility, peace, and environmental stewardship.
Novendiale and Papal Conclave
Following tradition, the Vatican has entered the nine-day mourning period known as the Novendiale. This period, rooted in ancient Roman customs, involves elaborate rituals and preparations for the Conclave, where eligible Cardinals will gather to elect the next Pope.
Indian Cardinals to participate in conclave
The upcoming Conclave will see four Indian Cardinals eligible to vote. Cardinals Oswald Gracias, 80, and George Alencherry, 79, will not participate due to exceeding the age limit. Alencherry’s eligibility ended on April 19, 2025. The four Indian Cardinals who will participate are:
Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão (72): Archbishop of Goa and Daman, known for his work in interfaith dialogue and social justice.
Cardinal Cleemis Baselios (64): Major Archbishop-Catholicos of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, elevated to Cardinal in 2012.
Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad (51): Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church and a Vatican diplomat, responsible for coordinating papal travels.
Cardinal Anthony Poola (63): India’s first Dalit Cardinal, dedicated to serving marginalised communities.
Pope Francis had been facing increasingly complex health issues in recent months. He was hospitalised on February 14, where doctors diagnosed him with pneumonia in both lungs, according to the Vatican.