The Passing of Pope Francis and a New Hope for the Church

TheIndonesia.co - The passing of Pope Francis on Monday, April 21th, 2025, marks a significant chapter in the history of the Catholic Church. The first pope from Latin America died at the age of 88, following a prolonged illness that required 38 days of hospitalization at Gemelli Hospital in Rome since February.

Despite his declining health, his love for the faithful and commitment to his papal duties never waned. He even managed to deliver the Urbi et Orbi blessing during the Easter Sunday Mass on April 20—his final public appearance. The day before his passing, he greeted thousands from the Popemobile in St. Peter’s Square. That simple wave from his frail figure and the blessing he gave became a poignant farewell moment from Pope Francis.

According to Antara News Agency, his death was formally confirmed by Camerlengo Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who carried out the sacred ritual of calling the Pope’s baptismal name three times. Receiving no response, he then destroyed the “Fisherman’s Ring,” symbolizing the end of papal authority.

With Pope Francis’s passing, the Church entered a period of sede vacante, or “vacant seat,” during which the College of Cardinals temporarily oversees Church affairs. The funeral has been scheduled for Saturday, April 26th, led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, with nine days of official mourning.

On Wednesday, April 23th, his body will be moved from Casa Santa Marta to St. Peter’s Basilica, where the faithful can pay their final respects. According to his will, Pope Francis will be buried not beneath the Basilica like many of his predecessors, but at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore—a place he frequently visited before and after his apostolic journeys.

Toward the Papal Conclave

The death of Pope Francis initiates one of the Church's most sacred and secretive traditions: the Papal Conclave, where cardinals gather to choose a new spiritual leader for over 1.3 billion Catholics worldwide.

The conclave will begin 15 to 20 days after the Pope’s passing, allowing time for cardinals around the world to arrive in Vatican City.

Of the 252 cardinals, about 135 under the age of 80 are eligible to vote. Interestingly, over 100 of them were appointed by Pope Francis himself, reflecting his vision of a more inclusive Church.

The conclave is held in strict secrecy at the Sistine Chapel. Once the ritual phrase “Extra omnes!” is declared, all non-participants exit, the doors are locked, and the cardinals begin their deliberations in isolation—no phones, no newspapers, no contact with the outside world. They reside in the Domus Sanctae Marthae until a new pope is elected.

Voting takes place up to four times a day. A pope is elected once a candidate receives a two-thirds majority. Results are signaled to the public by smoke from the chapel’s chimney—black if no decision is reached, white when a new pope is chosen.

The elected pope chooses a new name, dons the white papal garments, and is introduced to the world from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, heralded by the words “Habemus Papam!” (“We have a pope!”).

Indonesia’s Role in the Conclave

Indonesia will also take part in this historic process. Cardinal Ignatius Suharyo, Archbishop of Jakarta and elevated by Pope Francis in 2019, is eligible to vote at age 74. Though it would be his first conclave, he emphasizes that the Holy Spirit is believed to guide every step of the process.

He stated that there is no campaigning or power struggle involved—though discussions and reflections among cardinals are part of discerning the Church's future under the new pope.

Several names have already emerged as potential successors, including Cardinal Pietro Parolin (Italy), Luis Antonio Tagle (Philippines), Peter Turkson (Ghana), and Robert Sarah (Guinea). Each comes with unique backgrounds and pastoral missions.

As the conclave approaches, the world turns its attention to the Vatican. The Catholic faithful, in particular, wait and pray with hope—for a pope who will continue the spiritual, humanitarian, and moral legacy of Pope Francis.