On Monday April 21, 2025, Pope Francis, following a long period of health issues, has died. He was 88 years old. The passing of Pope Francis was announced by the Vatican. Pope Francis was well known and praised for his stand on human rights and tragedies, including social justice, ignored war crimes, and forgotten genocides around the World, especially in Africa. On his historic three-day tour visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2023, during his speech, he openly condemned the invasion of the DRC by foreign forces, the attempts at the balkanization of the country, the looting of natural and mineral resources, and the on-going genocide committed against the Congolese people and refugees for decades by foreign forces. On April 20, 2025, during his last public appearance on Easter Sunday Pope Francis called the Catholics and the World people to never forget the on-going wars and humanitarian tragedies in Africa.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell announced the passing of Pope Francis on Vatican television, stating: "Dear brothers and sisters, it is with deep sadness that I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. This morning at 7:35 a.m., the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the Father's house. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and his Church. With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we entrust the soul of Pope Francis to the infinitely merciful love of God,"
Pope Francis, whose name is Jorge Mario Bergoglio, was elected Pope in 2013 after the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentine, on December 17, 1963 from parents who emigrated from Italy, he was ordained priest in 1969 as a member of the Jesuits or Roman Catholic Society of Jesus. In 2001, he was created Cardinal and assigned the title of San Roberto Bellarmino by Pope John-Paul II.
He was one of the most influential figures of the 21st century and was highly praised for his humility and caring and commitment to humanitarian causes. Hence he visited several countries around the World during his pontificate, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo), during the on-going invasion, war crimes, and forgotten genocide committed by foreign forces (see here DRC -Vatican: In a Visit in DRC, Pope Francis Focuses on War Crimes, Territorial Integrity, and Forgotten Genocide ).
Following his burial scheduled within a week, eyes are on the Conclave to appoint his successor. Many sources point to a well known cardinal, as the most likely successor: Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, Archbishop of Bologna and President of the Italian Bishops' Conference.
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Cardinal Matteo Zuppi: Eyes on the Potential Successor of Pope Francis.
With the passing of Pope Francis, the focus is now on his burial but also on the upcoming Conclave to appoint the successor. The list of potential candidates may still not be known but the eyes have been focusing on some key Cardinals.
One well known potential candidate on the list with high chances is Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, Archbishop of Bologna and President of the Italian Bishops' Conference. Cardinal Matteo Zuppi has been considered one of the leading candidates to succeed Pope Francis since his creation as Cardinal.
Cardinal Matteo Zuppi is well known and respected for his humility, dedication, and connection with people, especially the voiceless, the poor and the meek. Hence, Pope Francis has consistently showed confidence in Cardinal Matteo Zuppi. On May 20, 2023, The Holy See Press Office confirmed that Pope Francis entrusted Cardinal Matteo Zuppi with a mission to help ease the tensions in the Ukraine conflict.
Cardinal Matteo Zuppi has a long experience in conflict resolutions, especially in Africa, as a member of the Community of Sant’Egidio, in helping broker a peace agreement that ended the 17-year civil war in Mozambique in 1992. He also facilitated the peace processes negotiations in Rome, between 2007 and 2009, of what is known as the Kisangani Process, a series of negotiations between the government of Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the leaders of the Rwandan opposition organization, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), composed of Rally for Unity and Democracy (RUD-Urunana) and Rally of the Rwandan People (RPR). (see Russia-Ukraine: Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, Facilitator of DR Congo Government and Rwandan NDC Leaders Rome-Kisangani Process, Soon Expected in Russia and Ukraine. and Bologna Archbishop Matteo Zuppi, Moral Witness of Peace Processes, Created Cardinal)
Hence, if he is elected as the successor of Pope Francis, he is expected to focus and play a key role in resolving the on-going conflicts around the World, especially in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and in Sudan.
@AfroAmerica Network 2025
