Pope Francis’ Death and Funeral in Rome: What Happens Next

By John Lavenburg and Currents News

A Legacy of Compassion: Remembering Pope Francis and His Global Impact

PROSPECT HEIGHTS — Pope Francis, known in part for his consistent advocacy on behalf of those who suffer and for promoting an inclusive approach to Church governance worldwide, has died at the age of 88.

Pope Francis passed away in Vatican City at 7:35 a.m. local time on April 21, bringing to close a 12-year papacy that began on March 13, 2013. As the news spread, tributes were set up outside Domus Sanctae Marthae in Vatican City, where he lived. Virtual ones poured in online.

Jorge Mario Bergoglio was born on Dec. 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires. His father, Mario, an immigrant from Italy, was an accountant, and his mother, Regina Sivori, whose parents were from Italy, dedicated her time to raising their five children — Pope Francis, his two brothers, and two sisters.

In his young adult years, he graduated from a technical secondary school as a chemical technician and then chose the path of the priesthood, entering the Immaculate Conception Seminary in the Archdiocese of Buenos Aires.

He entered the Jesuit novitiate in 1958, and over the next 11 years, he earned degrees in philosophy and theology and taught literature and psychology at multiple universities.

He was ordained to the priesthood on Dec. 13, 1969. After continuing his training in Spain, he made his final profession to the Jesuits on April 22, 1973.

That July, he was appointed provincial of the Jesuits in Argentina, an office he held for six years. For the next 19 years, he was a parish priest in the Archdiocese of Buenos Aires, served as rector of a local college, finished his doctoral degree in theology in Germany, and was a spiritual director and confessor at a college in Córdoba, Argentina.

Pope Francis was then appointed an auxiliary bishop of Buenos Aires by Pope St. John Paul II on May 20, 1992, choosing at his episcopal ordination the motto “miserando atque eligendo” — “by having mercy, by choosing him” — which Pope Francis would go on to keep throughout his papacy.

On June 3, 1997, Pope Francis was elevated to coadjutor archbishop of Buenos Aires, succeeding Cardinal Antonio Quarracino, who died on Feb. 28, 1998.

Three years later, Pope St. John Paul II made the future Pope Francis a cardinal.

In a move that encapsulates his humble nature, after he was made a cardinal, he asked the faithful from back home not to come to Rome to celebrate but instead take the money they would’ve spent on the journey and donate it to the poor.

In many ways, his approach as archbishop of Buenos Aires was a precursor to how he would eventually lead the global Church — emphasizing co-responsibility of clergy and laity in leadership, evangelization, providing care for the poor, the sick, and migrants; and rejecting clericalism. Fast forward to March 13, 2013, when he was elected to the papacy.

He chose the name Francis after St. Francis of Assisi, explaining to journalists about a week later that St. Francis was “the man of poverty, the man of peace, the man who loves and protects creation.”

“How would I like a Church that is poor and that is for the poor,” he said.

Ever humble and insistent on simplicity, Pope Francis chose not to live in the papal apartments in the Apostolic Palace but instead at Domus Sanctae Marthae, a Vatican guesthouse. The arrangement allowed him “to live in community with others,” a Vatican spokesperson said at the time.

Pope Francis never wavered from his vision of a more inclusive, global Church that always kept in mind those on the margins — on the outskirts — of society.

Of the 149 cardinals Pope Francis created, 89 were from non-European countries. During his papacy, he traveled to more than 60 countries, touching every corner of the globe and reaching those in countries and places where Catholicism was far from the most practiced religion.

Pope Francis wrote four encyclicals, focusing on faith as a guiding light in life, care for the environment, the relationship between God, humans, and the earth, fraternity between all men and women, and the divine love of Jesus Christ.

He also convened three synods, including on the family, young people, the Church in the Pan-Amazon region, and synodality, which explored journeying together in the faith. The latter gave women and the laity a seat at the table for the first time in history and reshaped the approach to leadership in the Church with a greater emphasis on co-responsibility.

Over the course of his pontificate, Pope Francis was a champion for the role of women in the Church, saying in 2024 that “the contribution of women is more necessary than ever.” He consistently elevated women to leadership roles. Perhaps most notably, in February 2025, he appointed Sister Raffaella Petrini, an Italian nun, as the first woman governor of the Vatican City State.

Pope Francis championed the cause of immigrants, often calling them “our brothers and sisters,” long advocating for their better treatment and for better policies. As far as social issues go, the plight of the migrant was a priority of his pontificate, frequently using the four words “welcoming,” “protecting,” “promoting,” and “integrating.”

Pope Francis’ pontificate was one marked by greater inclusivity in the Church for LGBTQ+ people. Early on, he famously said, “Who am I to judge?” when asked about gay priests. And in 2023, he approved priests giving blessings to same-sex couples.

He made strides in the area of accountability and the protection of minors and young people. In 2019, he established “Vos Estis Lux Mundi,” which essentially mandates the reporting of all sexual abuse allegations to Church authorities, including allegations against those in leadership positions.

Not all of the statements and decisions Pope Francis made over his 12-year pontificate were received well, especially by more traditional Catholics, one being the restrictions he placed on the Traditional Latin Mass, which he said were done to preserve unity.

However, in terms of legacy, from Day 1, Pope Francis advocated for unity and globality, co-responsibility, and attentiveness to those who suffer, especially the sick, the poor, and migrants, among others.

Only time will tell which of his teachings and decisions will be cemented, but early indications are that many have, which can only be viewed as a promising sign as far as his legacy is concerned.

Pope Francis, ‘The People’s Pope,’ Dead at 88

By Currents News

News from the Vatican: Pope Francis has passed away.

The 88-year-old pontiff has been the shepherd of the Catholic Church for over a decade. His leadership forever changed the face of the papacy, creating a lasting legacy that will be felt for generations.

He was known as “the people’s pope.”

Born the son of Italian immigrants in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1936, Jorge Bergoglio was a chemist and a literature and psychology teacher before joining the priesthood.

As the Archbishop of Buenos Aires he was known as a champion of the poor, and after being elected pope in 2013 he became known as a reformer.

He was the first pope from the Americas and the first to take the name Francis, after St. Francis of Assisi. Caring for the marginalized and those living on the peripheries became the backbone of Pope Francis’ pontificate.

His advocacy on behalf of migrants and refugees was evident through the dozens of trips he took during his papacy.

One of his first apostolic journeys in 2013 was to the Italian island of Lampedusa to show his solidarity with migrants.

One of his last was to southeast Asia, where he promoted peace through interreligious dialogue.

RELATED: Pope Francis Dead at 88

Pope Francis often spoke out against the war in Ukraine, and every night since the Israel-Hamas war began he would call the only Catholic church in Gaza to remind them that they are not forgotten.

The Holy Father was an advocate for the environment, as well as people.

In 2015 he published his encyclical, “Laudato Si,” which focused not just on technical solutions to climate change. Rather, the pope encouraged Christians to find changes in their everyday lives that can help conserve the world’s ecology.

Since its creation, “Laudato Si” has inspired programs to fight climate change around the world.

His 2019 “Synod of Bishops on the Amazon” was largely focused on environmental issues and the need to protect the Amazon rainforest.

Synodality was a key concept of his papacy, and in 2024 Pope Francis closed the “Synod of Bishops on Synodality.” It was a four-year process to make the global Church a more open, welcoming and inclusive place. It focused on empowering lay people – including young Catholics – and ensuring that women have a greater role in the Church by giving them the right to vote at the Synod.

Pope Francis made history in January of 2025 by appointing the first woman as the head of a Vatican department.

He was also perhaps the most inclusive pontiff toward the LGBT community. Mere months after being elected, Pope Francis opened a door to LGBT Catholics when responding to a reporter’s question on the papal plane. But while he approved letting Catholic priests bless same-sex couples, he drew the line when it came to marriage.

As for heterosexual couples who divorce and then remarry, 2015 Pope Francis said they were still welcome in the church…

On the topic of abortion, the pope always took a strong stance against it. In 2018 he equated terminating a pregnancy to hiring a hitman.

In 2019, Pope Francis called on dioceses worldwide to set up a system for people to report clerical sex abuse, and he issued apologies for it.

The Holy Father also apologized for the abuse suffered by indigenous children in Canada at Catholic run residential schools.

Pope Francis also liked to celebrate, often inviting various circus acts to perform at the Vatican, But, his last celebration is one he won’t see to its end. In December of 2024 Pope Francis opened the Holy Doors at St Peter’s Basilica to begin the Jubilee of Hope.

Prior to his passing, Pope Francis said he plans to be buried in Rome’s famed Basilica of St. Mary Major.

For continuing coverage of the pope’s funeral services, be sure to follow Currents News and The Tablet online.

Hundreds Join the Diocese of Brooklyn During the Easter Vigil

By Katie Vasquez

The most important liturgy of the Catholic Church, starts with a single flame, a fire that in time lights dozens of individual candles within the Co-Cathedral of St Joseph.

The paschal candle flame is a symbol of Christ as the light of the world, and Bishop Robert Brennan says the world is united at the Easter vigil.

“The night above all the other nights where the church is keeping vigil all around the world, and this year, the east and the west come together. The western church, the Roman Catholic church, the Orthodox church. We’re all celebrating Easter together,” said Bishop Brennan.

The Brooklyn shepherd leads the people’s prayers in darkness, as the Prospect Heights church mourns the death of christ.

Then with the sounds of bells, the lights of the church turn on, signaling a moment millions have been waiting for, Jesus’ resurrection.

“So you can imagine the whole Christian world is keeping vigil, watching for the resurrection of the lord and so, that in itself is a glorious thing,” said Bishop Brennan.

The vigil is also a culmination of a faith journey, as catechumens were baptized and received their sacraments at the mass.

Bishop Brennan baptized five and confirmed five at the Co-Cathedral but almost 700 people joined the church across the Diocese of Brooklyn.

“We have some parishes that will be 40, 50, 60. there’s one, I believe it’s 70 people coming into the church,” said Bishop Brennan.

Newly baptized David Flowers once considered himself an atheist but after reading books particularly by the Holy Father, he found God.

“As I came to know and understand Jesus Christ more in the warmth and comfort he can give to how he can forgive us. I wanted to be baptized into this church so I could be closer to him,” said Flowers.

Max Racine, who was confirmed, has always felt touched by God. He finally decided to fully join the church to express his gratitude.

“I feel like I’m just constantly receiving things that I don’t deserve. So i wanted to put a little bit more of devotion and focus into that in my life,” said Racine.

Bishop Brennan says it is heartwarming to see people still yearning to have Christ in their life.

“It’s always good to see people making a conscious decision to put their faith to say, yes, i really believe this. Yes, I really want to be part of this,” said Bishop Brennan.

Now, the diocese of Brooklyn celebrates Christ’s resurrection together, stronger in numbers and in faith.

New York City Faithful Follow Jesus’ Final Steps During Way of the Cross

By Katie Vasquez

Good Friday is the most solemn day of the year for Catholics, as they remember Christ’s crucifixion. Hundreds of faithful followed those footsteps, crossing the Brooklyn Bridge in a procession meant to mimic Jesus’ final steps.

They walk with purpose, crossing the Brooklyn Bridge in a procession that they feel brings them closer to the Son of God, by reliving his sacrifice.

“It’s us walking with Christ. It’s sort of a symbolic call, the heart to not only believe what he says, but also to do what he did, like take that walk with our crosses in a physical sense, not only just spiritually. we live it out in our lives,” said Holy Family Church parishioner, Noel Guzman.

The morning started with prayer at the Cathedral Basilica of St James with Brooklyn’s Bishop Robert Brennan, New York’s Cardinal Timothy Dolan, and the Greek Orthodox church’s Archbishop Elpidophoros of America joining together for the Good Friday service.

“Well, we’re working toward unity. This is something we’ve been working for centuries toward, and the celebration of the common date of Easter, the shared date of Easter, is a great sign of that, and our walking with Christ on this journey,” said Bishop Robert Brennan of the Diocese of Brooklyn.

Spencer Bell learned of the Way of the Cross from Bishop Brennan last week at a Holy Hour, and knew it would open his heart more to Jesus.

“What He went through, to sacrifice Himself for us as, like a master, as a father figure. it’s just inspirational and we’re able to look at Him and be able to kind of give ourselves to others in the same way He did to us,” said Bell, who is parishioner at Mary’s Nativity-St. Ann Church in Flushing, Queens.

There was quiet prayer as people walked more than a mile behind the cross, allowing the faithful to focus on the reason for the Easter season.

“Well, how about silence? Silence is good on Good Friday. Que viva la cruz de Cristo. We adore thee, Oh Christ. and we praise thee because by thy holy cross thou hast redeemed the world,” said Cardinal Timothy Dolan of the Archdiocese of New York.

“When you take the time out of your day to focus on Christ, these things, whether it be small or big like this, you take that, you run the risk of getting closer to. That’s a beautiful risk because then you change for the better,” said Guzman.

Good Friday is the only day that the Catholic Church doesn’t celebrate Mass, because Catholics believe it is a day of mourning rather than joy. There are still services held, including a reading of the Gospel, veneration of the cross and distribution of Holy Communion, but the eucharist is never consecrated on Good Friday.

Showering Moms With Love: Annual Baby Shower Brings Hope to Expectant Mothers

By Currents News

A charitable organization is showering expectant mothers with love: the Don Bosco Columbiettes, the ladies auxiliary of the Knights of Columbus, hosted their 14th annual baby shower, Wednesday April 16.

They collected toys, shoes, diapers, toiletries, a few car seats, and baby clothes, some of which were crocheted by generous donors.

The donations will be sent to the Bridge to Life in College Point, Queens, a non-profit organization helping mothers with life-affirming services for more than 30 years.

Queens Church Holds Live Reenactment of Christ’s Passion

By Currents News

In the Diocese of Brooklyn a Queens parish was living out the Passion of Christ.

An English and Spanish reenactment started in the pews of St. Joseph’s Church before heading out to the streets of Astoria.

A choir was leading the way as one parishioner, playing the part of Jesus, carried a cross and acted out Christ’s road to Calvary.

Others portrayed the other important roles in the biblical story, like Mary and the women who wept at His crucifixion.

After Jesus was “nailed” to the cross during the reenactment, the parishioners returned inside to pray.

Catholic News Headlines for Friday 4/18/2025

On Good Friday the Diocese of Brooklyn is walking the Way of the Cross as parishioners partake in a solemn procession across the Brooklyn Bridge.

Students in Rome are reflecting on Christ’s crucifixion through Catholic history as they view relics that can be linked back to Jesus’s road to Calvary.

Faithful at a Queens church are reenacting the Passion of the Christ through New York City streets as living testament to His sacrifice.

Holy Thursday: A Night of Humility, Service, and Sacred Tradition

By Currents News

Before remembering Christ’s Crucifixion on Good Friday, Catholics recalled Jesus’ Last Supper with his disciples on Holy Thursday.

Bishop Robert Brennan washed the feet of 12 People, just like the Son of God, a show of love and humility for both clergy and laity.

The Mass also remembers when Jesus changed Bread and Wine into His own Body and Blood, something Catholics celebrate at every Mass throughout the year.

TONIGHT AT 7: Hundreds to Walk Way of the Cross in NYC

By Currents News

It’s a solemn day for Catholics around the world as people of faith remember Jesus’ sacrifice for us this Good Friday.

The Diocese of Brooklyn is walking with Christ on this day, processing across the Brooklyn Bridge to commemorate His final steps to crucifixion.

A Look Back at the Diocese of Brooklyn’s 2025 Lenten Pilgrimage

By Currents News

Before we celebrate the Resurrection at Currents News, here’s one last look at the Diocese of Brooklyn’s Lenten Pilgrimage.

From prayer to Eucharistic Adoration, from Masses and reflections to youth-focused Holy Hours, here’s how parishioners of all ages across Brooklyn and Queens prepared themselves for the Easter Triduum.