In a historic moment for the Catholic Church, Robert Francis Prevost has been appointed as the new leader following the passing of Pope Francis, assuming the papal name Pope Leo XIV. In a groundbreaking move, he becomes the first Pope ever to come from America. Pope Francis passed away on April 21 at the age of 88 at his residence in the Casa Santa Marta within the Vatican.
With heavy hearts, we share the news of the Holy Father’s passing, as Cardinal Kevin Farrell solemnly announced: “At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, has returned to the house of the Father. His life was a testament to unwavering service to the Lord and His Church. Through fidelity, courage, and boundless love, particularly for the poor and marginalized, he exemplified the very essence of the Gospel.”
Cardinal Farrell further reflected, “With deep gratitude for his role as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite mercy of the Triune God.”
The world witnessed a momentous occasion on May 8, 2025, as the newly elected Pope Leo XIV, Robert Francis Prevost, made his first appearance from the grand loggia balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, following the conclave. This momentous occasion marks the beginning of a new era for the Church in the wake of Pope Francis’s passing, after his prolonged battle with health complications, including a bronchitis-induced hospitalization in February and a subsequent bout with double pneumonia. After 38 days of medical care, Pope Francis had returned home to recuperate.
It was shortly after his death that the Vatican confirmed the cause, stating that Pope Francis succumbed to a cerebral stroke, which led to a coma and, ultimately, an irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse.
Pope Francis’s leadership began in March 2013, following his election by the papal conclave after Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation. As the first pope from Latin America, he left an indelible mark on the Church, shaping it with a unique identity and a focus on global compassion and justice.
The election of Pope Leo XIV follows the traditional process of the papal conclave, where senior church officials, under the age of 80, gather in secret at the Sistine Chapel to choose a new pope. This sacred assembly typically convenes 10 to 15 days after the death of the reigning pontiff. The conclave proceeds with voting rounds until a candidate receives a two-thirds majority. After each vote, the ballots are burned—black smoke signifies no decision, while white smoke heralds the election of a new pope.
