On Monday morning, Pope Francis died at 88. The first South American to hold the office, he was known for his commitment to social and economic justice. WSJ’s Margherita Stancati discusses Francis’ legacy and explains what happens next for the Catholic Church. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - The Return of Religious Films to Hollywood - The Mormon Church's $100 Billion Secret Fund Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Yesterday, on Easter Sunday, Pope Francis graced the public with his presence outside the Vatican, for the last time.
He appeared on the balcony at St. Peter's Basilica. He blessed the crowd that had gathered there for Easter.
Dear brothers and sisters,
The Pope seemed very frail and still breathless. Our colleague Margarita Stancati is based in Rome. Pope Francis had a life-threatening bout with pneumonia recently. He wished everybody Happy Easter. And then he also got on his Popemobile and drove through the crowd. And that was the last time we saw him in public. So this morning, the Vatican announced that Pope Francis had died.
It was a shock because the Pope had appeared a few hours ago yesterday in public, and so it was really not expected. At 7.35 a.m.,
The Vatican said that the Pope had died at 7.35 this morning in his apartment in the Vatican. The death of a Pope is a huge deal for the Catholic Church. Popes serve until they die. So whenever a Pope changes, they can stay in their office for many years, even decades.
And so with the death of Pope Francis, what's the burning question that you as a reporter and Catholics around the world will have?
Well, Pope Francis was in some ways a social justice warrior. He was definitely seen as progressive within the Catholic Church. So the big question looming as the Vatican prepares to elect another pope is whether that legacy will continue with a new pope or he will take it in a different direction.
Welcome to The Journal, our show about money, business, and power. I'm Jessica Mendoza. It's Monday, April 21st. Coming up on the show, Pope Francis has died. What's next for the Catholic Church?
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