Pope Francis has died at the age of 88. The news was confirmed by the Vatican. As per this, the Pope died on Monday at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta.
The Pope was in a critical state as he battled respiratory complications at Rome's Gemelli Hospital. His ill health cast uncertainty over the Holy Year and the Catholic Church.
With the Pope now no more, one question comes to everyone's mind - who will replace the Pope?
But first, here's a look at what the Vatican says about choosing a new pope.
How Is A New Pope Elected?
When a Pope dies or resigns, the governance of the Catholic Church is passed on to the College of Cardinals. These cardinals serve as the Pope's closest advisors during their term.
Following this, a papal conclave is held in which the cardinals come together to elect a new bishop of Rome and the new pope is selected on the basis of a two-thirds supermajority vote.
The most recent papal conclave occurred in 2013 when Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected as Pope Francis, succeeding the retiring Pope Benedict XVI.
Who Will Succeed Pope Francis?
While no official successors have been named, here is a look at the likely successors of Pope Francis.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin
70-year-old Parolin has been the Vatican's secretary of state since 2013. Hailing from Veneto, Parolin is the highest-ranking cardinal in the conclave.
For years, Parolin has also been considered as a sensible moderate figure who does not lean towards the "left" or "right."
Cardinal Peter Erdo
Erdo is a devout Marian (one who devotes his practices to Marh, mother of Jesus Christ), and the former president of the Council of Bishops Conferences of Europe.
The 72-year-old Hungarian is also known as one of the conservative voices within the church and has openly opposed the practice of divorced or remarried Catholics.
Becoming a cardinal in 2003, Erdo also believes that taking in refugees amounts to human trafficking.
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle
Tagle is the seventh Filipino to become a cardinal and if elected, would become the world's first Asian pope.
The 67-year-old cardinal serves as the pro-prefect for the section of the
first evangelisation of the dicastery for evangelisation. He was made a cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI.
Similar to Pope Francis, Tagle has shown more left-leaning ideologies and has criticised the church's language and approach towards the LGBTQ community, unwed mothers and divorced/remarried Catholics.
Cardinal Matteo Zuppi
Zuppi has been the president of the Episcopal Conference of Italy since May 2022. The 69-year-old was made a cardinal by Pope Francis in 2019 and is considered to the favourite of the Pope.
Since 2019, Zuppi has been sent to several global missions such as a peace mission to Ukraine and then to the US.
Zuppi has also shared positive views towards the LGBTQ community.
Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke
Cardinal Burke, hailing from Wisconsin, has been regarded as a traditionalist. He was made a cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI in 2010.
Burke has openly and publicly clashed with Pope Francis' liberal philosophies, especially regarding the willingness to allow divorced and remarried couples to receive the Eucharist. (also know as the Holy Communion - it is a central act of Christian worship).
As per Burke, Catholic politicians who support legalised abortion, such as former President Joe Biden, should not receive the Eucharist.
