Pope Francis dies at 88, vacationing in Vatican

On April 21, 2025, Pope Francis, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church, passed away at the age of 88, the day after Easter Sunday. His death took place in Vatican City, marking the beginning of a crucial period in the Church, as cardinals prepared for the papal conclave to elect his successor. Pope Francis had a significant influence on the Church, having appointed approximately 80% of the cardinals eligible to vote in the conclave. This transition period raises questions regarding the future direction of the Church, considering the varied perspectives held by the cardinals he appointed. The conclave is an ancient electoral process steeped in tradition, where the College of Cardinals gathers in strict isolation to elect a new pope. Cardinal electors, limited to 120 and aged under 80, will convene within the Sistine Chapel to deliberate on their choice. The use of secret ballots ensures that the election maintains its sanctity and seriousness, with a two-thirds majority required for selection. The entire process symbolizes the gravity of choosing a new papal leader and is marked by rituals such as the burning of ballots, which produce white smoke to signal a decision and black smoke to indicate the opposite. As the world reflects on Pope Francis' legacy, discussions arise regarding potential candidates to succeed him, often referred to as