On March 13, 2013, the world witnessed a historic moment as Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected Pope, becoming the 266th successor to Saint Peter. His election was particularly significant as he became the first Pope from the Americas, the first from the Jesuit order, and the first to choose the name Francis, in honour of St. Francis of Assisi, the saint of humility and poverty. Throughout his papacy, Pope Francis consistently used his platform to issue frequent and impassioned calls for peace and social justice on a global scale. Pope Francis Challenged Indifference His first trip outside of Rome as Pope was to the island of Lampedusa, southern Italy, in 2013, a visit to meet with newly arrived migrants and refugees. During this poignant visit, he powerfully denounced the "globalisation of indifference" that allows the suffering and deaths of migrants to go unnoticed, highlighting the urgent need for compassion and action. He consistently prioritised the plight of migran...
Following the death of Pope Francis on April 21, 2025, the Holy See has entered a period known as " sede vacante " (vacant seat), a time of transition between popes that involves specific protocols and temporary governance structures. When a pope dies or resigns, as has happened with Pope Francis, the Holy See enters sede vacante . The term literally refers to the vacant seat—specifically the cathedra of Saint John Lateran, which is the cathedral church of the Bishop of Rome. This vacancy marks the beginning of a carefully regulated process that has been refined over centuries of Church tradition. During sede vacante , the governance of the Holy See transitions to the College of Cardinals, though their authority is significantly limited. One of the first notable changes is that most heads of departments within the Roman Curia "cease to exercise" their offices, creating a deliberate pause in the Church's central administration. Two key officials continue their r...