The highly anticipated and secretive process of selecting the next pope has come to an end. After two days of intense deliberations behind closed doors, the conclave has officially elected the 267th pope, the successor to Pope Francis. The election, which follows the death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, marks the beginning of a new chapter for the Catholic Church.

Pope Francis’ Passing and the Need for a New Leader

Pope Francis, whose birth name was Jorge Mario Bergoglio, passed away at the age of 88 after suffering a stroke. His death, after 12 years of leading the Catholic Church, left a significant void that needed to be filled. Following his death, the Catholic world entered a period of mourning that lasted for nine days, during which questions arose regarding who would be chosen to take over the papacy. The expectation was that the new pope would continue the legacy of Pope Francis while addressing the challenges facing the Church today.