Pope Francis died: The last blessing and his legacy

Von WOM

Santa Maria Maggiore, Rom, Italien - On April 21, 2025, the Vatican announced that Pope Francis died at the age of 88. The first Pope from Latin America and the first non-European in over 1,300 years succumbed to an infection that led to a double-sided pneumonia. In recent years he has suffered from various health problems that have a significant impact on his state of health.

In the past few months, Pope Francis, who has been treated as complex for about a month due to respiratory diseases in the Roman Gemelli Clinic, was to be described as complex. He received non-invasive mechanical ventilation at night and a high-flow oxygen supply during the day. The last time of his life was characterized by further setbacks, including intestinal operation and several hospital stays for bronchitis. Two falls had also burdened his health.

last public appearances

on Easter Sunday, just one day before his death, Pope Francis spoke the traditional "Urbi et orbi" blessing and had a brief exchange with the US Vice President JD Vance. This made it believe that the Pope wanted to continue to be active despite his health restrictions. But his state of health deteriorated dramatically and finally led to his death.

Francis had been trying to reform the Catholic Church and adapted to the modern challenges since he took office on March 13, 2013. Known for his commitment to social justice, environmental protection and interreligious dialogue, he remained largely true to the traditional values ​​in moral questions such as abortion, this called a "dangerous crisis of moral consciousness".

his legacy

The Pope was considered a pioneer for many progressive approaches within the church. Among his reforms, the stronger inclusion of laypersons and religious in the church leadership was to be mentioned. Even if his attitude appeared liberal on certain topics such as divorced and same -sex couples, he held on traditional teachings. Despite all the setbacks, he continued his trips and undertook 47 trips abroad during his term, often in crisis areas or to the needy.

The position of the Pope leaves a large gap, and the Catholic world mourns the loss of a guide who has shaped the church and society in many ways. The mourning time is accompanied by a body that is laid out in St. Peter's Basilica. His funeral is planned for the basilica Santa Maria Maggiore in the Roman district of Esquilino. A conclave to choose his successor will be held in 15 days at the earliest.

Pope Francis will remain primarily in the memories of the believers as a person who campaigned for the weakest in society and always represented a clear point of view in moral questions.

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OrtSanta Maria Maggiore, Rom, Italien
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