Pope Francis died

Time for an African pope? After Latin America it has the largest number of Catholics and the church is growing all the time whilst in Europe it’s shrinking.

Rip. What a selfless effort he made yesterday, Easter Sunday, one last time.
I agree he was a good Pope.

Grandmabatty

'Any man's death diminishes me' said by John Donne captures what I feel. I am not Catholic but he was a good man. May he rest in peace.

My feelings too GMB. May he rest in peace and rise in glory.

I remember when he became Pope there was a thread here on GN when I posted that he was too old for the position and a younger man should have been chosen.
How very wrong I was.
May he RIP.

A Jesuit who ruffled quite a few feathers amongst the Cardinals who would try to cling steadfastly to the status quo.

Will electing a conservative traditionalist cause the Church to stagnate? For sure, I'm not expecting any progress as regards women priests.

May he R.I.P.

Having been raised a catholic like others here, we all know the death of a Pope and election of a successor is huge happening in the church. Pope Francis has been ill for a while now, so it's no surprise really. I'm sure he was a good and decent man and a reformer in some ways. One only has to look back in history to know that has not always been the case really, right up to modern times, Popes have definitely been a mixed bag, not that we always knew, the catholic church, is so often shrouded in secrecy. So it seems the book and film of Conclave are quite timely.

RIP Pope Francis

news.sky.com/video/pope-francis-has-died-at-the-age-of-88-the-vatican-has-announced-13353025

There is a little montage here of his time as Pope. It reminds us of some of the things he did - the time he went to meet migrants and those fleeing war and hunger.

He spoke about child abuse, was warmer to the LGBT+ community, visited Iraq and appointed the first 2 woman into position of "power into the Vatican.

lixy

He was such a good, unstuffy Pope. RIP

Agree with lixy unstuffy rare in church leaders a warm smile RIP

A strong sense of duty right until the end.
Just like our late Queen.

I think the pope knew he's end was near but wanted to do the blessing as his final act as pope . Even when he was supposed to be resting he was working . I am an atheist but his sense of belief and duty helped many who had faith. And he committed himself fully to his life helping others . And fitting he died while still pope .
Like JenniferEccles said like our Queen that sense of duty they carried out right to the end.

May he R.I.P.

I also am Catholic.. but no longer a practicing one…but I do love the “still and peaceful “ feeling of an empty church…

I too think Pope Francis was a wonderful, caring man .. shed a few tears on hearing this news
R.I.P 🌟🌟

A good pope. I pray for a worthy successor.

Poor old soul. I wish they hadn't revived him and revived him again and paraded him about. I wish he'd been allowed the dignity of slipping quietly away. RIP

He certainly had dignity yesterday

He had been so poorly, tbh I was surprised he made it out of Hospital. I did feel for him when I saw him on the TV giving his Easter blessing. A trooper unto the end.
RIP Pope Francis

Anniebach

He certainly had dignity yesterday

Indeed.

Rest in peace Pope Francis - well done staying in Jesuit philosophy.

He was dosed up and propped up. Poor old soul.

I think he was probably determined to live long enough in order to give the Easter Blessing and he succeeded.
Having done that he has gone on his way in peace and may he now RIP. ✝️

Anniebach

He certainly had dignity yesterday

Yes he did.

A strong and determined man, wanting to do his duty until the end.

Aveline

He was dosed up and propped up. Poor old soul.

He was a role model for how to suffer illness with dignity and humility. I admire him for not 'hiding' his illness and being so open and public in his last day on Earth. I am sure so many would have felt blessed by his presence yesterday.

I had noticed that he had stopped using his oxygen and that maybe was his own decision- he possibly know it was time to give up but hung on until Easter.

No poor old soul to me- a hero really.

He doesn't look propped up the day before - or dosed up to be honest.

He sounded quite frail yesterday I thought, but it's still a shock to hear this news today. I believe him to be a good man and hope he finds peace in heaven. RIP.

I wonder if he advised King Charles to donate some of his enormous wealth to the poor?