Pope Francis Dies at 88, Funeral Reforms Implemented

Pope Francis has died at the age of 88, marking the end of a transformative 12-year papacy notable for its emphasis on humility and pastoral care. His passing triggers the traditional process to elect a new pope, with nine days of mourning and a conclave to follow. In keeping with his wishes, Francis had significantly simplified papal funeral rites, focusing on his role as a shepherd rather than a figure of worldly power. Notably, he will become the first pope in over a century to be buried outside the Vatican, choosing a simple wooden coffin and resting in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore rather than St. Peter's. These changes, codified in a revised "Rite of Burial for Roman Pontiffs," reflect Francis’s broader approach to the papacy and were influenced by the unique circumstances surrounding the death of his predecessor, Benedict XVI. World leaders have paid tribute to Francis's compassion and legacy, as Catholics around the world mourn his passing.