Who Was Pope Francis? From His Message to Iran’s Supreme Leader to His Final Testament
Mehr News Agency, International group: Hours before the passing of Pope Francis, the leader of the Catholic world announced the news. he had been battling a severe illness and passed away. Cardinal “Kevin Farrell,” the head of financial and administrative affairs at the vatican, confirmed Pope Francis’s passing in a message posted on social media platform X.
Pope Francis had been hospitalized since March 14 due to respiratory infections. over the past two years, he was hospitalized multiple times for various health issues, with respiratory infections being a recurring reason.
With Pope Francis’s passing, global media outlets have once again turned their attention to his political and non-political activities.
Jorge Mario Bergoglio was born on December 17,1936,in Buenos Aires,Argentina. Ten years after his ordination as a priest,he rapidly advanced in rank and became archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998.
As assuming power at the Vatican, Pope Francis has worked to establish progressive policies…
(Note: the last paragraph appears incomplete in both source and translation.)The Pope showed himself to be above the informal reception of selfie-seeking visitors, sitting on a specially designed wheelchair in the midst of civilization and its absence.
A stance against Gaza and global wars
The leader of the world’s Catholics has increasingly focused in recent years on the necessity of laying down arms and resolving known conflicts. in his remarks regarding current wars and tensions worldwide, he called for “silencing weapons.”
Last year, Pope Francis highlighted the dire humanitarian situation in northern Gaza, emphasizing the need for a ceasefire. He also repeatedly recalled countries from Haiti to Mali and Venezuela in various speeches.
The final message of Pope Francis
On last year’s Easter message ,he stressed importance peace an end armed conflicts globally particularly Gaza Ukraine .Pope FrancePope Francis stated that the Zionist regime’s aggression against gaza has resulted in death, destruction, and a disgraceful humanitarian catastrophe.
He added: My thoughts are drawn toward the people of Gaza,especially the Christians in the region. Simultaneously occurring, horrific clashes in this area continue to cause death and devastation.
In his latest remarks, Pope Francis called for aid to be delivered to the people of Gaza who are dying of hunger.
Breaking with the tradition of over 100 previous popes, he announced in 2023 that he wished to be buried in Santa Maria Maggiore Church in Rome—unlike other popes who were interred beneath St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City.
Making any decisions within the Vatican is prohibited until a successor to the Pope is elected.
Supreme Leader’s Recognition for the Pope’s Stances
In 2022 (1401 Solar Hijri), Iran’s Seminaries Director met with…Pope Francis Receives Message from Iran’s Supreme Leader
Hojatoleslam wal-Muslimeen A’rafi, during his meeting with the Pope, stated: “After the Supreme Leader became aware of my visit, he conveyed his greetings to you and praised your background and your ties with Latin America. He also commended certain positions you have taken to ease relations between Islam and Christianity and to defend the oppressed. The Supreme Leader emphasized that we expect you to continue striving in defense of the oppressed worldwide, especially in Palestine and Yemen, while maintaining clear and transparent stances. The Supreme Leader hopes for decisive action in defending the Palestinian people. He believes a resolution should be based on the will of the people thru elections involving all indigenous Palestinians—regardless of their religious affiliations—to determine Palestine’s governing system.”
In response to this message from Iran’s Supreme Leader, Pope Francis addressed Hojatoleslam A’rafi: “Convey my greetings to the Supreme Leader of Iran and also its religious authorities and scholars. We also acknowledge the points raised by Iran’s Supreme leader.”
How a New Pope is Elected
The process of electing a new Pope after the death of the Pope,known as the “Conclave,” is carried out as follows:
Mourning and Readiness Period:
After the Pope’s death,a nine-day mourning period is announced. During this time, the funeral and burial ceremonies (usually held 4 to 6 days after death) take place in St. Peter’s Square. The Vatican enters a period called “Sede vacante,” during which no pope occupies the throne.
Formation of the Conclave:
Approximately 15 to 20 days after the Pope’s passing, the College of Cardinals gathers behind closed doors in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican.
Only cardinals under 80 years old are eligible to vote. The number of eligible cardinals typically ranges between 100 and 120.
The Voting Process:
The cardinals cast their votes in secret sessions.Each cardinal writes their chosen candidate’s name on paper. To elect a new pope…
(Note:The original text appears incomplete; translation stops where content ends.)A candidate must secure at least two-thirds of the votes.
Voting may take place over several rounds (up to 4 rounds per day). After each round, the ballots are burned.
Black smoke: Indicates no pope has been elected (inconclusive vote).
White smoke: Signals the triumphant election of a new pope.
Once elected,the senior cardinal (Dean of the College of Cardinals) asks the chosen individual: “Do you except your election?” If accepted,the new pope selects a name for himself. The newly elected pope then appears on the balcony overlooking St. peter’s Square and is introduced to the public.
This process is rooted in centuries-old traditions of the Catholic Church and is carried out with meticulous care and ceremony to ensure that the new leader of the Church is chosen with consensus and legitimacy.
