The pope has died

[BombayBicycleclub]

https://news.sky.com/story/pope-francis-has-died-the-vatican-says-12890455 just that really. Will they do the conclave now? Or in a few days as it’s Easter?

Requiescat in pace et resurgat in gloria

Now whose smug, self-aggrandising face would be least welcome in one's final hours - Lettuce Liz, or JD Vance?

I'm not a Catholic - in fact, I'm on a completely different religious team, but I've always found the conclave fascinating. I really must get round to Robert Harris's book and the film. The idea of Ralph Fiennes stalking elegantly about in a cassock is very appealing.

Rest in Peace Pope Francis.

I was very moved yesterday seeing him going out in the car meeting people and blessing children, he was obviously determined to do it.
The people that were in St Peter's Square yesterday will never forget it. I actually thought he looked a bit better yesterday compared to recent public footage of him.

As a Catholic, I hope the next Pope is as humble and popular as he was.

I’m pretty sure given he was always insistent on (if possible) remaining in his role until the very end, there was no forcing him onto the balcony yesterday.

Coincidentally, JPII also died during the Easter Octave, 20 years ago this year.

I find it interesting how humans have the capacity to hold on for "one last" whatever it may be. I'm glad for Pope Francis that he could take part in the Easter traditions, although it must have been a huge effort.

RIP

AIBU to share some headline news

I feel quite sad about this. Francis was a good Pope.😢

I'm not Catholic but am saddened to hear this.

He met Vance realised the world was fucked so decided to abandon ship 🙁

He wasn't forced apparently. He wanted to. Doctors had recommended two months rest. But he carried on with his duties to the best of his ability.

Yes definitely. He was known for being progressive and humane.

FWIW my whole family are currently watching the coverage. One atheist now but brought up as Quaker. 2 Jewish people and one very lapsed CofE. All saying how sad and hoping that Pope Francis' legacy lives on.

Brilliant film and a must watch.

I've always thought HM hung on until she could make sure Johnson was gone. Perhaps PF wanted a last Easter?

Not religious - I am, if anything, extremely anti Catholicism thanks to childhood experiences - but I think he was a good and humble man trying to do his best within an extremely corrupt and amoral organisation.

He started the process of accountability for CSA victims and for nuns who were SA’d by male members of the church. What has taken hundreds of years to become endemic thanks to secrecy and shame, will take more to undo, and more than one man, even the pope, to undo it. That he started the process shows more compassion and humanity than any one of his predecessors.

The worry now is his successor will be a hard line conservative to counter the good Francis has done.

This. I’m not religious and I went to see him twice. I had a lot of respect for his kindness and compassion, and it was incredible seeing so many different people coming together to see him.

Rest in peace, PF.

Funeral first. Then the conclave - lots of cardinals live outside Italy.

The problem any vaguely progressive Pope has is that the structures of the Catholic Church make Tolkien's Ents look like Usain Bolt on his best day. St John 23 (who I think Pope Francis had a lot in common with) did much in the 5 years of his papacy, but without a "run" of people of a similar mindset in control, everything is torturously slow. One important legacy is that he
basically seeded the College of Cardinals with a much more diverse population, although of course some of them may not share all his views.

I sincerely hope though that the example of humility, compassion and care that Pope Francis set is a bell that can't be unrung. May he rest in peace.

I think HMQ hung on till the Jubilee - it had been years in preparation and she wanted it to happen - she mostly withdrew from sight straight afterwards. I think Pope Francis wanted to see Easter and when that was done he could let go.

I sincerely hope though that the example of humility, compassion and care that Pope Francis set is a bell that can't be unrung.

Exactly this @Uricon2 - it will be very hard, even for the most hard line Conservative, to revert back to the pomp, wealth and hierarchy that was normal pre-Francis, and not look like a raging hypocrite whilst alienating the masses in the developing world where the future of the Catholic Church lies.

Francis was popular because he was relatable, as much as he was compassionate. He seemed like he had lived in the world and understood the issues facing normal people. And considered himself a normal person, albeit with an extraordinary job.

Ratzinger was a cold authoritarian in expensive shoes who spoke theology, not humanity, in contrast. Going back to that will lose as many as it will comfort.

I think this is very unfair, he has done a lot more than previous Popes to address child abuse in the Catholic Church, and more than many other current religious leaders.

It said on the news I watch that the funeral must be held 4-6 days after the death of a pope.

I just watched Conclave the night before, so feel quite enthused about the results of the conclave.

A good man. The world is better for him having lived, which I think is all any of us can hope for.

Pretty sure he wanted to do it.

Just when every member
of the clergy Is absolutely knackered after Holy Week and Easter…,

I’m a Catholic and this Pope was far too woke for me. Unfortunately I think the next choice will be even woker.