Pope Francis (88), the spiritual leader of 1.4 billion Catholic Christians around the world, passed away on Monday. He was suffering from old age and health problems and breathed his last yesterday due to a heart attack. The death report released by Vatican doctor Andrea regarding the Pope's death said that he died of a heart attack. He went into a coma before his death. Catholic Christians around the world are deeply saddened by the Pope's death. Pope Francis has been suffering from respiratory problems, double pneumonia, and kidney problems for a long time. He was hospitalized for 38 days from february 14 to march 19 and was discharged in March. He succeeded Pope Benedict XVI in 2013. He was unable to attend the easter Sunday mass due to illness. Tragically, he died the day after Easter.
According to the constitution of the Universidad Dominici Gregorii, which governs papal succession, a pope must be buried within a week of his death. Pope Francis has said that his funeral will be low-key, with his name inscribed in Latin on the tombstone. A nine-day mourning period will be observed after the death of a pope. The papal conclave to elect the next pope begins 15 to 20 days after the death of a pope. Cardinals under the age of 80 meet in the Vatican for this purpose. The entire election of the pope is secret. Those meeting inside the Sistine Chapel are kept separate from outsiders. They vote until a papal candidate receives a two-thirds majority. Once the new pope is elected, he is formally asked if he accepts the role. If he accepts, he chooses a papal name. The senior cardinal deacon stands on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica and proclaims Habemus sin, Latin for "We have a Pope."
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Sowmiya Sriram

22/04/2025 12:00 PM