Pope Francis Dies Aged 88

Pope Francis Dies Aged 88

File photo - Retired Pope Benedict XVI is publicly defending the Catholic Church’s traditional rule of priestly celibacy, the former pontiff’s most explicit effort so far to influence a decision by his successor Pope Francis, who is considering a proposal to routinely ordain married men as Roman Catholic priests for the first time in almost a millennium. -- At the end of a consistory ceremony Pope Francis and a group of cardinals meet with Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI in a chapel at the Vatican on November 19, 2016. Pope Francis created 17 new Cardinals in St. Peter's Basilica, during an Ordinary Public Consistory he had convoked for that purpose: 13 Cardinal-electors, and four Cardinals above the age of 80, who received the 'Red Hat' in recognition of their exemplary service to the Church and witness to the Gospel. -- Pope Francis died on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88 at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta. Photo by ABACAPRESS.COM

Pope Francis Dies Aged 88

Pope Francis Dies Aged 88

File photo - Retired Pope Benedict XVI is publicly defending the Catholic Church’s traditional rule of priestly celibacy, the former pontiff’s most explicit effort so far to influence a decision by his successor Pope Francis, who is considering a proposal to routinely ordain married men as Roman Catholic priests for the first time in almost a millennium. -- Pope Francis hosted a celebration for the 65th anniversary of the priestly ordination of his predecessor Benedict, the pope emeritus at the Vatican on June 28, 2016. Joseph Ratzinger, who took the name Benedict XVI when he was elected to the papacy in 2005, attended the celebration in the Sala Clementina within the Apostolic Palace. More than thirty cardinals were also present, as well as a number of other invited guests. Benedict XVI, was ordained a priest June 29, 1951, the feast of Saints Peter and Paul , in the cathedral of Freising. His older brother Georg was ordained with him. -- Pope Francis died on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88 a