- cross-posted to:
- europe@feddit.org
- cross-posted to:
- europe@feddit.org
VATICAN CITY, April 21 (Reuters) - Pope Francis, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, has died, the Vatican said in a video statement on Monday, ending an often turbulent reign marked by division and tension as he sought to overhaul the hidebound institution. He was 88, and had recently survived a serious bout of double pneumonia.
“Dear brothers and sisters, it is with profound sadness I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis,” Cardinal Kevin Farrell announced on the Vatican’s TV channel.
“At 7:35 this morning the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father.”
Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected pope on March 13, 2013, surprising many Church watchers who had seen the Argentine cleric, known for his concern for the poor, as an outsider.
He sought to project simplicity into the grand role and never took possession of the ornate papal apartments in the Apostolic Palace used by his predecessors, saying he preferred to live in a community setting for his “psychological health”.
He inherited a Church that was under attack over a child sex abuse scandal and torn by infighting in the Vatican bureaucracy, and was elected with a clear mandate to restore order.
But as his papacy progressed, he faced fierce criticism from conservatives, who accused him of trashing cherished traditions. He also drew the ire of progressives, who felt he should have done much more to reshape the 2,000-year-old Church.
While he struggled with internal dissent, Francis became a global superstar, drawing huge crowds on his many foreign travels as he tirelessly promoted interfaith dialogue and peace, taking the side of the marginalised, such as migrants.
Unique in modern times, there were two men wearing white in the Vatican for much of Francis’ rule, with his predecessor Benedict opting to continue to live in the Holy See after his shock resignation in 2013 had opened the way for a new pontiff.
Benedict, a hero of the conservative cause, died in December 2022, finally leaving Francis alone on the papal stage.
Francis appointed nearly 80% of the cardinal electors who will choose the next pope correct as of February 2025, increasing the possibility that his successor will continue his progressive policies, despite the strong pushback from traditionalists.
He inherited a Church that was under attack over a child sex abuse scandal
What the hell kind of statement is this? “Damn those nosy investigators and anti-child sex abuse people! They should just mind their own business and stop attacking innocent powerful worldwide organisations!”
Shit. It can only go downhill from here. Francis was the least awful Pope to ever exist. He actually encouraged christians to be christ-like.
We could easily have some shithead in the role next who encourages christians to be the worst people imaginable, it could be so much worse.
Francis stacked the college of Cardinals with progressives. Conclaves can be random, but we might see Tagele or Pizzabella who would be alright.
With our luck we’ll get Tortellinimalo, though.
We will get the MAGA pope with a hard-on for the crusades, itching to bless a holy war against China.
I’m legitimately worried that there are some among the cardinals who would want to cozy up to those people.
Francis appointed 80% of the current cardinals, I think. It is something to take solace into at least
Hopefully he appointed them ideologically and not based on seniority or merit to the organisation, both of which wouldn’t necessarily produce good outcomes for us.
Bet the next pope is a fascist who will bless all fascist parties in Europe.
Yeah. The pope is never gonna be good, but we’re never gonna get a pope who sucks less than this one.
Who do you think will be the next pope?
For what it is worth Pope Francis appointed 80% of the current cardinals so I very much doubt the next Pope will be much different to him. The Philippines’ very own Luis Tagle seems to be the favourite
increasing the possibility that his successor will continue his progressive policies
How do people still fall for this propaganda bullshit? This guy outright said “Gender ideology is the ugliest danger of our time” and was in favour of conversion torture. How can you even remotely think of the word “progressive” when describing this genocidal fucking freak?
Because the alternative was one of the ratzinger disciples who were literally nazis or wanted to burn gays at the stake. Francis sucked, but it’s important to keep in mind in what context he sucked. And that context is that the spanish republicans did nothing wrong, and we will only be free once the last king is strangled with the entrails of the last priest.
Maybe it’s time for another antipope.
Only if it works like antimatter and he destroys the papacy if they touch.
He?
What would annoy tradcaths more, gay trans man pope or lesbian pope (Cis or trans)
Francis said what he called “gender ideology” was a threat because it sought to erase the difference between the sexes.
My bet would be an enby or agender antipope.
Progressive for a pope is an amazingly low bar.
“He was only three centuries behind the times instead of the usual four!”
How do people still fall for this propaganda bullshit? This guy outright said “Gender ideology is the ugliest danger of our time”
What’s even sadder about this is tradcaths still considered him a gay-loving communist
Tradcaths want another Hitler Youth guy.
“Maybe we shouldn’t stone queer people to death actually” is indeed a progressive take for the head of the Catholic church unfortunately.
The bar is in hell.
fuck the Vatican, but the guy was at least on the right side when it comes to Palestine, so I’ll press F and blow the fattest vape cloud I can muster out my window
He was measurably the least bad pope we’ve had in living memory.
ever
I don’t know anything about like medieval popes, so I couldn’t tell you. I suspect it might be true or very close to true though.
awomxn
the least awful top pedo died and shit can only get worse
https://apnews.com/article/pope-vance-us-migration-c9fc577cabff138de7bd8026133994fc
He spent his last day with JD Vance, oof
“Mr. President, you wanted to see me?”
“Yeah. There’s gonna be a new pope.”
“Well, His Holiness has been ill so—”
“No. You’re gonna be in Rome. You’re gonna visit the pope. And then - very, very soon - we get a new pope. The one I want.”
“I’m… I’m not sure I understand.”
“CIA got this lethal drug. Can work by skin contact.”
Nah, physical contact with JD Vance just does that to people.
JD Vance has deathtouch
My eyes are burning
Straight up the secret service just killed the pope
He just died? Wow. I didn’t know that. You’re telling me now for the first time. He led an amazing life. What else can you say? He was an amazing woman, whether you agreed or not. He was an amazing woman who led an amazing life. I’m actually sad to hear that. I am sad to hear that. Thank you very much.
Vaxxed?
Man meeting jd vance killed his will to live huh?
I mean, having to listen to Vance go on in detail about breastfeeding as the major reason for women to be trad wives would make anyone want to shed their mortal coil.
The cringe became too much to bear
Pizzaballa in control. Trust the plan
J.D.’s Last Chance
Actually, ame came back. So who’s more holy?
I think the implication is that she came back for Wawa’s 3D concert (resurrection) and then left, taking the pope with her (ascension).
but obv the Ame Way is the one true religion
I’m conflicted, should I get the crabs out cause it’s the leader of the biggest pdf organization on the planet, or should I mourn cause he’s the most progressive pope we’ll probably ever get in our lifetimes?
IDK. I like that he called the Gaza parish every day following Oct. 7.
Edit: And that he criticized NATO for Ukraine.
He chose the right side in a genocide which is depressingly more than can be said for libs mocking dead Gazan kids at activists.
Bar is truly in hell
Replace “most progressive pope” with something like “friendlist dog kicker” or “nicest guard at the black site” and there’s your answer
“Yeah he was a serial killer, but he was really nice about it okay?”
“most progressive csa ringleader of our lifetimes”
Most accurate description
first they made that plane collision happen and then this
rest in piss chief pedophile defender
i wish a short and painful life on the next chief pedophile defender