The Pope Francis has Died aged 88

[arista]

Gone


SkyNewsHD


https://news.sky.com/story/pope-francis-has-died-the-vatican-says-12890455

[Kate!]

Yes sad news. 88. Great age. RIP.

[AnnieK]

Very apt at Easter time. He was only out and about yesterday too. RiP

[MTVN]

Gosh that's very sad. It was always going to be very hard for him to recover from his latest illness but I didn't expect him to pass that quickly after he had been recovering and was out meeting crowds yesterday. Glad he was able to celebrate Easter first though before he passed

I've liked this Pope. He's been incredibly humble and caring towards the poor and to victims of war. I think the papacy needed that more human touch after Benedict

[Cherie]

Oh gosh, nice to see he was able to get out yesterday

RIP

[arista]

Andrew Neil
Speaking on Times Radio
said he was humble

[Nicky91]

what?

huh?

and i thought he was feeling better after his pneumonia



i'm shocked about this, especially as we saw him yesterday at urbi et orbi



RIP :(

[joeysteele]

Bless him.

Extremely sad news..
There's many things I hoped for from this Pope which didn't happen but he has been a strong voice on issues that should matter.
In a gentle, humble and more unifying style of his Papacy.

It's really sad, I hoped he'd be able to recover from his recent serious illness
He was a Pope who tried very hard over his period of being the Pontiff.
R.I.P.

[Cherie]

He pushed himself too much I guess, he visited a prison and met JD Vance at the last few days

[Zizu]

They always seem to install new guys aged around 80 plus which is asking for trouble, surely

Why don’t they choose younger popes in the first place ?


Being cynical

Maybe they choose old , infirm blokes knowing they will manage a few years then pop their clogs and it keeps them in the news ( keeps them relevant)

Just thinking out of the box

[Ammi]

…88yrs is a great age …I found him to be a very likeable Pope and may he rest with his God now…

[joeysteele]

They always seem to install new guys aged around 80 plus which is asking for trouble, surely

Why don’t they choose younger popes in the first place ?


Being cynical

Maybe they choose old , infirm blokes knowing they will manage a few years then pop their clogs and it keeps them in the news ( keeps them relevant)

Just thinking out of the box

Pope John Paul 11 was only 58 when he was elected.

I get your point but they often are in place for a decade or more
Which is more than most democratically elected leaders achieve or get.

[Vanessa]

Aw that's really sad. But 88 is a great age to get to.
A great man, extremely kind and good hearted. Rip

[arista]

He pushed himself too much I guess, he visited a prison and met JD Vance at the last few days


Yes he did not need to

[Zizu]

He pushed himself too much I guess, he visited a prison and met JD Vance at the last few days


I read that as DJ Vance ..

Had me thinking for a moment or two

[joeysteele]

Yes he did not need to

People like this who see themselves as more likely IN service, always push themselves too hard.
To some it's seen as unnecessary to people like the Pope it's just daily life.

As with Monarchs too.
Such as the UKs late Queen, presiding over the major change of Prime Ministers.
Up to the day before she died.

Some may see it as even foolish but they feel it necessary to try to fulfil duties of their office right to the end.
Personally I admire that determination and dedication.

[Kate!]

Some very nice posts in here. Lovely words everyone.

[Quantum Boy]

He pushed himself too much I guess, he visited a prison and met JD Vance at the last few days

If I was 88, meeting JD Vance would probably be the last straw for me too.

[Cherie]

If I was 88, meeting JD Vance would probably be the last straw for me too.

:laugh:

[MTVN]

People like this who see themselves as more likely IN service, always push themselves too hard.
To some it's seen as unnecessary to people like the Pope it's just daily life.

As with Monarchs too.
Such as the UKs late Queen, presiding over the major change of Prime Ministers.
Up to the day before she died.

Some may see it as even foolish but they feel it necessary to try to fulfil duties of their office right to the end.
Personally I admire that determination and dedication.

Yes they think their own health is secondary to fulfilling their duties. The Pope has had health problems for years but has still worked incredibly hard including travelling to some of the most dangerous places on earth

He probably knew he was overdoing it the last few days but felt that presiding over Easter was more important. Choosing to spend Thursday meeting loads of prisoners is quite typical of his papacy

[joeysteele]

Yes they think their own health is secondary to fulfilling their duties. The Pope has had health problems for years but has still worked incredibly hard including travelling to some of the most dangerous places on earth

He probably knew he was overdoing it the last few days but felt that presiding over Easter was more important. Choosing to spend Thursday meeting loads of prisoners is quite typical of his papacy

Absolutely MTVN.
Your very last point being an extremely strong one.

[Niamh.]

If I was 88, meeting JD Vance would probably be the last straw for me too.[emoji23]

[Ninastar]

Can’t believe Vance killed the pope

[Ammi]

Can’t believe Vance killed the pope

…while the rest of the world has no problem believing it..:fan:..

[arista]

Can’t believe Vance killed the pope


Rubbish


Ch4HDnews Live in Rome now
One man who knows him well waved
got no wave back.


He said yesterday he was very ill

[arista]

If I was 88, meeting JD Vance would probably be the last straw for me too.


No, he was well up for it.


But he was still very ill.

[arista]

https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/976/cpsprodpb/d318/live/db0bf3a0-1f00-11f0-b265-abe347419ae3.jpg.webp

[arista]

https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/976/cpsprodpb/794f/live/3a222fc0-1f02-11f0-b1b3-7358f8d35a35.jpg.webp

[arista]

https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/976/cpsprodpb/358f/live/40d9aab0-1f10-11f0-b1b3-7358f8d35a35.jpg.webp

[arista]

https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/976/cpsprodpb/64eb/live/28613420-1f02-11f0-b265-abe347419ae3.jpg.webp

[arista]

https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/976/cpsprodpb/e5c8/live/de94f350-1f00-11f0-b1b3-7358f8d35a35.jpg.webp

[arista]

https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/976/cpsprodpb/355c/live/d58e4fe0-1f00-11f0-80b3-83959215671c.jpg.webp

[arista]

https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/624/cpsprodpb/643d/live/81272250-1f47-11f0-b1b3-7358f8d35a35.png.webp

[arista]

https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/976/cpsprodpb/ef40/live/04da9e70-1f01-11f0-b265-abe347419ae3.jpg.webp

[arista]

https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/976/cpsprodpb/6516/live/b6cf5bb0-1fc0-11f0-9c65-a5c3dc449bf3.jpg.webp




On Saturday

Prince William
PM Starmer
President Trump

Will all be there at the Funeral.

[bots]

i don't get the ritual of walking passed a coffin, and it's 10 times worse when it's an open casket

[joeysteele]

i don't get the ritual of walking passed a coffin, and it's 10 times worse when it's an open casket

It kind of helps a grieving process
To some it's to show respect.
To others it's seen as extremely strange and unnecessary.

It's down to what individuals want to do, no one is forced to walk past it that don't want to.

If I was in Rome, I actually would have wanted to do so and in fact I went past the late Queen's coffin in London after her death.
It's lying in State and the opportunity is there for any who wish to, to do so.

It's not really that different from loved ones, neighbours friends or others visiting a chapel of rest where someone has died is, also a usually open coffin.
IF anyone wants to that is.

I do however understand those who don't understand it and who certainly wouldn't want to.

[Cherie]

Its normal to me, open coffins are very much a thing in Ireland ...especially if the wake is held at the family home

The queue to file past the Pope is 8 hours I believe, wonder if there is an Italian Holly and Phil

[Alf]

He died long ago.

You don't think it was coincidence that they announced it at Easter?

Probably executed for crimes against humanity.

[Alf]

You think I'm mad.

Here's Trump meeting the Pope, during what you think was his first term.

Trump always wears a red tie, here he wears black. Just look at how Melinia is dressed for a funeral..

Feel free to argue against me that Melinia and Ivanka isn't dressed in mourning right there?

You don't have an argument against that, do you? because it's right in front of your face in plain truth, they're dressed for mourning.

The tweet I posted was the second one, with the pictures of Trump and his missus with the Pope. The tweet is a reply to some Qanon post. That will interest Toy Soldier.

1898860408993173841

[joeysteele]

Its normal to me, open coffins are very much a thing in Ireland ...especially if the wake is held at the family home

The queue to file past the Pope is 8 hours I believe, wonder if there is an Italian Holly and Phil

Yes to your comment above

As to a Holly and Phil :joker:, I don't know about that but those Swiss guards are pretty awesome at making sure things are just right

[Cherie]

He died long ago.

You don't think it was coincidence that they announced it at Easter?

Probably executed for crimes against humanity.

Go home

[Cherie]

You think I'm mad.

Here's Trump meeting the Pope, during what you think was his first term.

Trump always wears a red tie, here he wears black. Just look at how Melinia is dressed for a funeral..

Feel free to argue against me that Melinia and Ivanka isn't dressed in mourning right there?

You don't have an argument against that, do you? because it's right in front of your face in plain truth, they're dressed for mourning.

The tweet I posted was the second one, with the pictures of Trump and his missus with the Pope. The tweet is a reply to some Qanon post. That will interest Toy Soldier.

1898860408993173841

Yes I think you are mad

wearing black when meeting the Pope is normal, a simple google will help you here

[Nicky91]

my nation (Netherlands) royal family not attending the funeral


due to Koningsdag on that day, which does start later than normal out of respects, instead of 10:00, now at 12:00



on our behalf, Prime Minister Dick Schoof and Minister of Foreign Affairs Caspar Veldkamp are attending the funeral

[Nicky91]

i find it a disgrace, not even Maxima wants to attend, even though Francis also was argentinian, like herself


:facepalm:


having said that good that PM Schoof is going




understandable from the UK that Charles isn't attending, due to his own health struggles maybe, but Prince William is a good choice either to travel on their behalf, since he is next in line to the throne

[arista]

USA President Trump and his wife
now on a flight to Italy.
For the Saturday Funeral.

[Livia]

I read they've had to stop people taking selfies at his coffin. I mean... who would do that?

[bots]

Trump will probably take a selfie wearing his hat

[Alf]

I don't think any top dignitaries should be travelling to this funeral via plane. Not when they're rinsing us people of our money for the climate agenda they've put in place. Not a good look. Can't they attend via Skype?

[Crimson Dynamo]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GpdFsufWUAAmti4?format=jpg&name=small

[Cherie]

The Pope mobile was flying through the streets at a fair clip

[Nicky91]

q7cGysKCfmQ

some of Pope Francis's best moments :love: he seemed so sweet

[joeysteele]

It was a very moving and inspiring ceremony.
As a Catholic, I found it incredibly moving.
The feeling of being actually there must have been intense.

I did like this Pope and how humble he was plus what he chose to say on issues too.
It's a beautiful church he has been entombed in.

The Cardinals have quite a task soon in order to elect his successor.

[Crimson Dynamo]

It was a very moving and inspiring ceremony.
As a Catholic, I found it incredibly moving.
The feeling of being actually there must have been intense.

I did like this Pope and how humble he was plus what he chose to say on issues too.
It's a beautiful church he has been entombed in.

The Cardinals have quite a task soon in order to elect his successor.

who is the front runner?

[joeysteele]

who is the front runner?

I'm not really sure there is one LT

They have in recent times elected a surprise candidate.
Such as John Paul 11 from Poland following the very sudden death after the election of the Italian John Paul 1.

Then last time they threw in the surprise of Francis from Argentina.

It really depends what is in the thinking of the Cardinals.
However Pope Francis appointed many Cardinals from other Continents and Countries.
So this choice is going to be far more open as to Nationality than for some time.

[MTVN]

I think there is a good chance of a Pope from Africa or the Philippines where the Church is growing. A lot of people seem to think that because Francis appointed so many cardinals that the next Pope will be similar in approach to him but I don't think that's guaranteed at all.

This article has a few candidates: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckgxk40ndk1o

[Crimson Dynamo]

https://news.paddypower.com/politics/2025/04/26/next-pope-odds-favourites-succeed-francis-vatican-25-april-2025/

These are the odds with Paddy Power

PIETRO PAROLIN and Luis Antonio Tagle are the 2 favourites

I like the look of Pierbattista Pizzaballa at 6/1 - he is only 60 and I feel they may go down the "youth" route?

https://collegeofcardinalsreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Cardinal-Pierbattista-Pizzaballa-Reuters-Photo-license-purchased-e1733919950642.jpg

[Crimson Dynamo]

The contest is likely to come down to a battle between progressives who applaud the late
pope’s comparatively liberal stance on divorcees, gays and the plight of refugees, and
conservatives who loathed his agenda.

(according to the Telegraph)

[bots]

i always think of the Borgia when it comes to the selection of a new pope. The methods used will be more sophisticated, but it will be a corrupt power battle at the end of the day. With so much power and financial gain involved, it will never be anything different

[joeysteele]

I think there is a good chance of a Pope from Africa or the Philippines where the Church is growing. A lot of people seem to think that because Francis appointed so many cardinals that the next Pope will be similar in approach to him but I don't think that's guaranteed at all.

This article has a few candidates: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckgxk40ndk1o


I think you're mostly right MTVN.

No one really knows the minds of the Cardinals who will elect the next Pope.
Or what they'll be looking and hoping for.
It's possibly less predictable than ever.
In fact it's not been that predictable really.
Except after John Paul 11 when it seemed a shoe in for Benedict XV1

Usually it was expected that it would be an Italian choice, but that's only happened once now since 1978.

[Crimson Dynamo]

i always think of the Borgia when it comes to the
selection of a new pope. The methods used will be more sophisticated, but it
will be a corrupt power battle at the end of the day. With so much power
and financial gain involved, it will never be anything different

I am reminded of when AnnieK was appointed Mod..

:hehe:

[arista]

"he is only 60"


Too Young

[joeysteele]

"he is only 60"


Too Young

Pope John Paul 11 was just 58 when elected in 1978.

[bots]

Pope John Paul 11 was just 58 when elected in 1978.

At the time he was appointed they had just had 2 popes die within the space of a couple of months, so they went for the youngster at 58. There was also some strange superstition about 3 popes dying in the same year was the apocalypse or something. I remember it being a big deal at the time :laugh:

[joeysteele]

At the time he was appointed they had just had 2 popes die within the space of a couple of months, so they went for the youngster at 58. There was also some strange superstition about 3 popes dying in the same year was the apocalypse or something. I remember it being a big deal at the time :laugh:

My point was to arista that no way is a Cardinal too young at 60.:joker:

Plus anyhow Pope John Paul 1 was only 65 when elected and died.
They could easily again go for a younger Pope.
However no one really knows what is in the minds of the Cardinals who will decide this.
No Cardinals over 80 in the church are allowed to vote.

The World is a mess, it looks like getting more extreme and getting worse.
This is a very important choice at this time.

Personally I'd like a choice like the late Pope Francis but someone who'd look to extend and carry on stronger his thinking.
Life is teaching me, my choices though rarely come to fruition.:joker:

[Ammi]

Conclave To Elect Another Pope Begins May 7 As World Waits For New Pontiff Read more: https://www.legit.ng/people/1652444-conclave-elect-pope-begins-7-world-waits-pontiff/….


https://www.legit.ng/people/1652444-conclave-elect-pope-begins-7-world-waits-pontiff/