Passing of Pope Francis Marks Beginning of New Chapter in Vatican; Catholics on Verge of Electing New Leader

Pope Francis, the first non-European pope in over a thousand years and an influential figure in moral, social, and religious spheres, has passed away. This event has impacted not only the Christian community but also the international arena. Now, all eyes are on the Vatican, where the process of selecting his successor is underway.

Pope Francis, the beloved and reformist leader of the world’s Catholics, died at the age of 88 on Monday. In 2013, he became the first pope from South America and the first non-European pope in centuries to lead the Catholic Church.

Francis, known for his humble demeanor and special attention to social justice, poverty, the environment, and migrants, earned a unique place in the hearts of millions of believers and even non-Christians.

Referred to as the “People’s Pope,” during more than a decade of leadership, he made extensive efforts toward interfaith dialogue, combating corruption within the Church, and re-examining ethical and social issues.

Although some of his views faced opposition from traditional factions within the Church, he succeeded in presenting a new and relatively modern face of religious leadership.

With the announcement of the pope’s death, the Vatican has entered the period known as the “Sede Vacante” (Vacant See).

The pope’s body will be displayed publicly in St. Peter’s Basilica, and official funeral ceremonies will be held in the coming days with the attendance of religious and political leaders worldwide.

The College of Cardinals will soon gather in the Sistine Chapel to elect the new pope through a confidential, multi-stage process. Among the prominent candidates are Pietro Parolin, Luis Tagle, and Marc Ouellet.

Now, the Catholic Church stands on the threshold of a new transformation—one that could shape the future course of this religious institution for years to come.

For the first time in history, the office of a Shia religious authority has issued an official condolence message on the death of a pope.

In a statement, the office of Grand Ayatollah Sistani said: “We were saddened by the news of the death of Pope John Paul II and express our solidarity with the followers of the Catholic Church.”

This unprecedented and historic gesture reflects the spirit of interfaith dialogue and mutual respect in Islamic teachings.

It is worth noting that a few years ago, during his historic visit to Iraq, Pope Francis met with Grand Ayatollah Sistani in Najaf.