Skip next section German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to attend Pope Francis’ funeral April 22, 2025
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to attend Pope Francis’ funeral Pope Francis and Olaf Scholz met at the Vatican last yearImage: Vatican Media/REUTERS Pope Francis’ funeral is set to bring world leaders together at the Vatican on Saturday, with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz having become the latest world leader to confirm their attendance at Francis’ funeral.
“With Pope Francis, the Catholic Church and the world have lost an advocate for the weak, a reconciler and a warm-hearted person,” Scholz wrote in his post to honor the pope shortly after his death Monday morning.
“I greatly appreciated his clear view of the challenges we face. My sympathies go out to the faithful worldwide,” the outgoing chancellor said.
https://p.dw.com/p/4tP16
Skip next section How did world leaders react to the news of Pope Francis’ death?April 22, 2025
How did world leaders react to the news of Pope Francis’ death?Pope Francis has asked to buried in Rome’s Basilica of Santa Maria MaggioreImage: Eric Vandeville/ABACAPRESS.COM/IMAGO German chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz expressed “great sorrow” upon learning about the news of Pope Francis’ death.
He said the pontiff, the first from the Americas, would be remembered for his commitment to “the most vulnerable, for justice and for reconciliation.”
French President Emmanuel Macron said Francis had always been “on the side of the most vulnerable and the most fragile” and that he had stood for “brotherly humankind.”
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni mourned the departure of “a great man, a great shepherd.”
US President Donald Trump expressed his condolences in an online post, writing: “Rest in Peace Pope Francis! May God Bless him and all who loved him!”
DW covers more reactions here.
https://p.dw.com/p/4tOYv
Skip next section WATCH: Christians in Gaza pay tribute to Pope FrancisApril 22, 2025
WATCH: Christians in Gaza pay tribute to Pope FrancisChristians in Gaza City feel an emotional bond with Pope Francis, who communicated with a local parish priest on a daily basis. His concern encouraged people to preserve their faith amid the ongoing war.
Christians in Gaza pay tribute to Pope FrancisTo view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
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Skip next section China offers condolences over pope’s death following years of tense relations with VaticanApril 22, 2025
China offers condolences over pope’s death following years of tense relations with VaticanChina has expressed its condolences over the death of Pope Francis, according to a Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson.
“China is ready to work with the Vatican side to continue the improvement of China-Vatican ties,” Guo Jiakun said.
The country’s Catholic community was divided when the Communist Party came to power and claimed the right to name bishops without consulting the Vatican.
But relations have improved since 2018, when Francis’s Vatican brokered a deal with China that granted Rome’s approval to the bishops Beijing had picked.
The provisional agreement was renewed in October 2024.
The Chinese response to the pope’s death came a day after the announcement of the pope’s death on Monday morning following a stroke and heart failure at his Vatican residence.
https://p.dw.com/p/4tOYx
Skip next section Pope Francis called for simple burial at St. Mary Major BasilicaApril 22, 2025
Pope Francis called for simple burial at St. Mary Major BasilicaPope Francis asked to buried in an underground tomb at St. Mary Major BasilicaImage: Martin Cossarini/REUTERSPope Francis visited more than 60 countries during his papacy and has drawn worldwide praise for his support for the weakest sections of society.
Francis eschewed much of the Vatican’s traditional pomp during his time as pope.
He opted for simple rites, and in 2023, chose his resting place to be one of the four main churches of Christendom in Rome, the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore or St. Mary Major.
In his final testament, Pope Francis asked to be buried “in the earth, simple, without particular decoration” and with the inscription only of his papal name in Latin: Franciscus.
St. Mary Major, around 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) from the Vatican, was dear to Francis because of his devotion to Mary, the mother of Jesus in Christian tradition. He visited the chapel more than 150 times during his papacy, usually to pray for safe travels.
Most popes are buried in St. Peter’s Basilica or its grottoes, the network of underground vaults and chapels located beneath the basilica’s main floor.
https://p.dw.com/p/4tOYi
Skip next section Who will be the next pope after Francis?April 22, 2025
Who will be the next pope after Francis?Speculation has already started about the most likely candidates to succeed Pope Francis as the next pontiff and pastoral leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.
DW has put together a list of some of the prospective pontiffs, including an intercontinental array of candidates.
For the full list, read our article here.
https://p.dw.com/p/4tOZG
Skip next section Vatican releases first images of pope following his deathApril 22, 2025
Vatican releases first images of pope following his deathhttps://p.dw.com/p/4tOSZ
Skip next section The pope’s funeral — who decides it?April 22, 2025
The pope’s funeral — who decides it?The pope’s death follows a set of rituals, with funeral rites and burial taking place in steps already established.
The first immediate announcement earlier today, about the date of the funeral, was decided by a group of senior members of the Catholic clergy.
The group of members is a body called the College of Cardinals and they are responsible for all papal affairs.
Cardinals will also decide the next pope after the end of the official period of mourning that lasts for nine days.
The first of the nine days begins this Saturday.
Catholics worldwide mourn death of Pope FrancisTo view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
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Skip next section Pope Francis’s funeral to take place on April 26April 22, 2025
Pope Francis’s funeral to take place on April 26Pope Francis’ funeral will be held on Saturday, April 26, at 10.00 a.m. (0800 GMT) at St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican said in a statement.
The pontiff passed away early on Easter Monday.
https://p.dw.com/p/4tOLp
Skip next section WATCH: Vatican prepares to choose next popeApril 22, 2025
WATCH: Vatican prepares to choose next popeThe death of Pope Francis has set in motion a series of elaborate rites and rituals, as the Catholic Church moves from one papacy to the next. DW reports on Francis’ wish for a simple funeral — and on how the cardinals will choose the next pope.
Vatican prepares to choose next popeTo view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
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Skip next section Welcome to our coverageApril 22, 2025
Welcome to our coverageRoshni Majumdar | Saim Dušan Inayatullah
Pope Francis passed away at 7:35 a.m. (0535 GMT) on the morning of Easter Monday, after struggling for several months with major medical conditions.
During his life, Francis called for Catholics to embrace compassionate views toward the poor and refugees.
With his death, some of the oldest rituals of the church have been set in motion, with a group of senior Cardinals set to gather on Tuesday to discuss plans for the pope’s funeral.
The Vatican also released the first images of the pontiff on Tuesday, with his body lying in Casa Santa Marta Hotel in the Vatican, where the pope resided.
https://p.dw.com/p/4tOG3
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