5 Shocking Facts About Pope Francis’ Death And The New Pope, Leo XIV

The question "Is the Pope dead?" has been a source of intense speculation and global confusion for months, fueled by health scares, viral hoaxes, and a carefully guarded Vatican transition. As of today, December 18, 2025, the definitive answer is a somber yes: Pope Francis, the 266th Pontiff, passed away earlier this year. His death set in motion a historic papal conclave, which resulted in the election of a new leader for the Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV.

The transition of power has been one of the most talked-about events of the year, especially given the preceding period of intense rumors and the widespread use of artificial intelligence (AI) to generate deepfake news about the Holy Father's health. This article cuts through the noise to provide the confirmed facts, the details of the transition, and a full biography of the beloved late Pope Francis.

Biography of the Late Pope Francis (2013–2025)

Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, was a figure of historic importance, being the first Jesuit pope, the first from the Americas, the first from the Southern Hemisphere, and the first non-European pope in over 1,200 years. His papacy was defined by a focus on humility, mercy, and social justice, often challenging the traditional structures of the Roman Curia. His death in 2025 concluded a transformative era for the Catholic Church.

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• Name: Jorge Mario Bergoglio
• Born: December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina
• Died: April 21, 2025 (age 88)
• Cause of Death: Stroke and irreversible heart failure, following a period of critical health issues.
• Papacy: March 13, 2013 – April 21, 2025
• Predecessor: Pope Benedict XVI
• Successor: Pope Leo XIV
• Key Health Events: Suffered from diverticulitis, underwent colon surgery in 2021, and experienced recurring respiratory issues, including a severe bout of bilateral pneumonia shortly before his death.
• Last Major Act: Formally inaugurated the Jubilee Year 2025, a global event for "Pilgrims of Hope," just before his health declined.

The Definitive Answer: How and When Pope Francis Died

The news of Pope Francis’s passing was a moment of profound shock and global mourning, despite his advanced age and well-publicized health struggles. The Vatican confirmed the death of the Holy Father at the age of 88.

The official announcement confirmed that Pope Francis slipped away quietly from this world on the morning of Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta. His final words and departure were marked by the same humility that characterized his entire papacy.

Following ancient tradition, the death of the Pope was verified by the Cardinal Camerlengo, who would have gently struck the Pope's head with a small silver hammer and called out his Christian name. This ritual marks the official end of the papacy and the beginning of the Sede Vacante (vacant see) period.

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The subsequent nine days of mourning, known as the Novemdiale, were observed globally, culminating in a Holy Mass in suffrage for the late Pope Francis, a solemn event that officially closed the chapter on his historic 12-year tenure.

The New Era: Pope Leo XIV and the 2025 Conclave

The passing of Pope Francis immediately triggered the process for the 2025 Papal Conclave. The College of Cardinals convened to elect the new Bishop of Rome, a process shrouded in tradition and secrecy. After just two days of deliberation, white smoke signaled the election of a new Pontiff.

The new leader is Pope Leo XIV, who was elected on May 8, 2025. His election was a significant event, as he became the second pope from the Americas, succeeding his predecessor from the same continent.

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Who is Pope Leo XIV?

The new Pope is Robert Prevost, a highly respected Cardinal who chose the papal name Leo XIV. He succeeded Pope Francis, who had opened the Jubilee Year 2025 just before his death. Pope Leo XIV has quickly taken the reins, presiding over major events, including the Jubilee Mass for prisoners in St. Peter's Basilica on December 14, 2025, and continuing the Jubilee Year’s focus on unity and peace.

His election, and the subsequent events, have solidified the fact that the Catholic Church is now under new leadership, ending the confusion that plagued the first half of the year. The official Vatican calendar has even noted a "Holy Mass in suffrage for the late Pope Francis" presided over by Pope Leo XIV on November 3, 2025, a clear indication of the shift in power.

The Viral Hoaxes and Scams That Confused the World

The intense global interest in the question "Is the Pope dead?" was not accidental. It was heavily amplified by sophisticated cybercriminals and fake news operations.

Throughout 2025, the Vatican was forced to wage a quiet battle against a barrage of fake news, conspiracy theories, and highly convincing AI-generated images and reports circulating on social networks concerning Pope Francis's health.

Cyber criminals exploited the uncertainty, using fake news stories and AI-generated content about the "late pope" to lure users into clicking embedded links, which redirected them to fraudulent websites and global scams. This exploitation highlights a critical modern challenge: distinguishing real papal news from malicious digital deception.

The confusion was so widespread that even official-looking news headlines and encyclopedia entries contradicted each other, with some sources prematurely reporting his death and others struggling to keep up with the real-time health updates. The fact that the search term "Deaths in 2025" was among the most-read entries on major platforms, specifically including Pope Francis, shows the sheer volume of speculation that existed before the official announcement.

In summary, while the question "Is the Pope dead?" was once a viral hoax, the answer is now confirmed by the election and reign of Pope Leo XIV. The world now looks to the new Pontiff to continue the mission of the Church through the ongoing Jubilee Year 2025.