Earlier today Pope Francis died after a struggle over many weeks with pneumonia. Just yesterday, Easter Sunday, he appeared on the balcony of St. Peter's in Rome to utter a few words to the faithful who'd come in the hope of seeing him. He wasn't his usual self, and wasn't able to deliver his traditional Easter message, but his appearance was significant at a time of a major religious festival.
Now Pope Francis is at peace. It's always sad when someone dies, but when it's the head of the Catholic church a successor must be found. As the saying goes, "The King is dead. Long live the King." With the Vatican, there will be another Pope. Among the front runners are only two Italians. We could have an African pope in Peter Turkson, something that would recognise that the power base of rank and file Catholics has shifted from Europe to other regions of the world.
In the past Vatican employees received a financial bonus when a new Pope was elected. Pope Francis abandoned this tradition, instead offering the money to charitable causes. Pope Francis always tried to do things differently from his predecessors. When first elected he chose not to live in the splendour of St. Peter's. He had a gentle touch that saw him revered by many Catholics, but also put noses out of joint in the Vatican hierarchy.
For now the institution of the Catholic church continues whilst the Cardinals arrive from around the world to elect a successor. When the white smoke comes out of the Vatican chimney signaling a successor has been found, one thing is for sure, it will be a man👨!
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