Pope Francis, the first non-European pontiff in nearly 1,300 years, passed away on Easter Monday at the age of 88. The Vatican made the announcement following Pope Francis’ active participation in Easter celebrations and a public appearance. Just before his passing, he had a brief meeting with US Vice President JD Vance.
Following his death, a period of mourning will take place, after which all cardinals under the age of 80 will gather to elect the next leader of the Catholic Church. The process of selecting a new pope typically takes between two and three weeks. President Donald Trump has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff as a mark of respect for Pope Francis.
The proclamation issued by Trump stated that the order applies to all public buildings, grounds, military posts, naval stations, naval vessels of the Federal Government, as well as US embassies, legations, and consular offices abroad. This mark of respect for Pope Francis was evident at the White House Easter Egg Roll, where the American flag on top of the White House was seen flying at half-staff on Monday morning.
The passing of Pope Francis has left a void in the hearts of many worldwide, as they remember his compassion, humility, and dedication to serving the church and its followers. The process of selecting a new pontiff will be closely watched by millions of Catholics around the world as they await the next leader to guide the church into the future.
