# The Pope has died \[April 21, 2025\] **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 21, 2025, 8:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-pope-has-died-april-21-2025/1017296 "2025-04-21T08:10:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2025, 8:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-pope-has-died-april-21-2025/1017296/1 "2025-04-21T08:10:48Z")
Breaking news on all channels. Pope Francis has died, aged 88. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2025, 8:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-pope-has-died-april-21-2025/1017296/2 "2025-04-21T08:30:35Z")
He had a pretty good run at least. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2025, 8:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-pope-has-died-april-21-2025/1017296/3 "2025-04-21T08:33:40Z")
Thanks for the heads-up. Watching CNN now. It’s the only story on. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2025, 9:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-pope-has-died-april-21-2025/1017296/4 "2025-04-21T09:12:46Z")
An old man in poor health… hardly a surprise. As one human to another I hope his passing was not unduly terrible. Meanwhile, for those who do care and for whom this does touch their lives… I expect much wind and pixels to be expended about this for the next day or two, with both pro- and anti- sides expressed. ---
**Author:** ![blue\_infinity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blue_infinity/32/2817_2.png) [@blue\_infinity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blue_infinity)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2025, 9:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-pope-has-died-april-21-2025/1017296/5 "2025-04-21T09:16:21Z")
Not a bad Pope. 7/10 ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2025, 9:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-pope-has-died-april-21-2025/1017296/6 "2025-04-21T09:16:46Z")
Imagine if your last meeting was with J. D. Vance. ---
**Author:** ![Coriolanus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/coriolanus/32/18769_2.png) [@Coriolanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coriolanus)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2025, 9:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-pope-has-died-april-21-2025/1017296/7 "2025-04-21T09:17:05Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > It’s the only story on. Same on BBC. Showing pics of him meeting with people of many faiths. Too bad he couldn’t go meet with the Dalai Lama. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2025, 9:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-pope-has-died-april-21-2025/1017296/8 "2025-04-21T09:17:20Z")
I preferred Benedict. Francis had such a smarmy, pompous I’m-so-hip-and-cool attitude. And there was this too: > **["Hypocritical" to arm Ukraine, Pope Francis says, silent on Russian terror -...](https://euromaidanpress.com/2024/12/24/hypocritical-to-arm-ukraine-pope-francis-says-silent-on-russian-terror/)** > > The pontiff criticized European weapons deliveries to Ukraine while calling for peace negotiations, yet notably refrained from urging Russia to withdraw its invasion forces or release deported Ukrainians. ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2025, 9:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-pope-has-died-april-21-2025/1017296/9 "2025-04-21T09:44:57Z")
Is Francis the first Pope in history who died on Easter? I find it a bit ironic that God’s guy on earth dies on the day Christians celebrate Jesus’ alleged resurrection. (ok, technically one day later, but we still have Easter) Somehow reminds me of George Michael’s death on Christmas, he who had his biggest hit with a Christmas song. ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Tan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/charlie_tan/32/12582_2.png) [@Charlie\_Tan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Tan)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2025, 10:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-pope-has-died-april-21-2025/1017296/10 "2025-04-21T10:04:33Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > Francis had such a smarmy, pompous I’m-so-hip-and-cool attitude. OTOH (paywalled) > **[Pope Francis Extends Priests’ Ability to Forgive Abortion (Published 2016)](https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/21/world/europe/pope-francis-abortion-priests.html)** > > He made permanent a policy announced last year that allows priests worldwide to grant absolution for an act that the Roman Catholic Church considers a sin. Which surely is not enough. But a small step in the right direction. And with so many things going in the wrong direction, we must count our blessings (heh). And in his final communication (as read by someone) [Urbi et Orbi](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/apr/20/pope-makes-brief-appearance-at-easter-sunday-mass-in-st-peters-square): > “I appeal to all those in positions of political responsibility in our world not to yield to the logic of fear, which only leads to isolation from others, but rather to use the resources available to help the needy, to fight hunger and to encourage initiatives that promote development,” [As well as](https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-04/pope-francis-urbi-et-orbi-easter-2025-peace-gaza-drc-sudan-arms.html): > “There can be no peace without freedom of religion, freedom of thought, freedom of expression, and respect for the views of others,” ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2025, 10:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-pope-has-died-april-21-2025/1017296/11 "2025-04-21T10:04:43Z")
I though the Vactican reported he’d died at around 7 am Vatican time on _Monday_, so he didn’t actually die on Easter ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2025, 10:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-pope-has-died-april-21-2025/1017296/12 "2025-04-21T10:07:18Z")
Yes, like I mentioned, technically a day later. But Easter Monday still is part of the Easter holidays for Catholics, at least here in Germany where it’s a public holiday. Today they are remembering the disciples’ walk to Emmaus. ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Tan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/charlie_tan/32/12582_2.png) [@Charlie\_Tan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Tan)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2025, 10:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-pope-has-died-april-21-2025/1017296/13 "2025-04-21T10:08:10Z")
> **[Easter](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Easter)** > > Easter,\[nb 1\] also called Pascha\[nb 2\] (Aramaic, Greek, Latin) or Resurrection Sunday,\[nb 3\] is a Christian festival and cultural holiday commemorating the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, described in the New Testament as having occurred on the third day of his burial following his crucifixion by the Romans at Calvary c. 30 AD. It is the culmination of the Passion of Jesus, preceded by Lent (or Great Lent), a 40-day period of fasting, prayer, and penance. > Easter-observing Christians comm... the season of Easter, begins on Easter Sunday and lasts until the day of [Pentecost](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentecost), seven weeks later ---
**Author:** ![Chad\_Sudan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chad_sudan/32/4509_2.png) [@Chad\_Sudan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chad_Sudan)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2025, 10:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-pope-has-died-april-21-2025/1017296/14 "2025-04-21T10:09:51Z")
On this occasion, it seems fitting to paraphrase the eulogy given by Connor Roy on _Succession_: Pope Francis was a man. And when a man dies, it is sad. All of us will die one day. In this case, it is Pope Francis who has done so. Pope Francis was alive for 88 years. But no more. Now he is dead. ---
**Author:** ![StringsandHammers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stringsandhammers/32/17933_2.png) [@StringsandHammers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StringsandHammers)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2025, 10:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-pope-has-died-april-21-2025/1017296/15 "2025-04-21T10:13:44Z")
I almost feel that maybe if the Pope didnt use the last of his strength to tell JD Vance he was a bad catholic for sending poor brown people to countries where they weren’t even born, then the pope would still be with us today ---
**Author:** ![Ellecram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellecram/32/18948_2.png) [@Ellecram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellecram)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2025, 10:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-pope-has-died-april-21-2025/1017296/16 "2025-04-21T10:14:07Z")
> [@Love\_Rhombus](#): > > Imagine if your last meeting was with J. D. Vance. I am glad he never had to meet with him at all. Sending him off to be lectured on compassion was a noble last act for humanity. Rest well. ---
**Author:** ![Lsura](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7993a0/32.png) [@Lsura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lsura)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2025, 10:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-pope-has-died-april-21-2025/1017296/17 "2025-04-21T10:18:04Z")
Here’s a [gift link for the NYT article](https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/21/world/europe/pope-francis-abortion-priests.html?unlocked_article_code=1.BU8.tY9S.bCL_U07pFIok&smid=url-share) for those who might want it ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2025, 10:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-pope-has-died-april-21-2025/1017296/18 "2025-04-21T10:21:37Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > I preferred Benedict. Francis had such a smarmy, pompous I’m-so-hip-and-cool attitude. > > And there was this too: Yeah, Francis sometimes said horrible things, but I think all in all he did more good than bad in his life and regency. Ratze OTOH was a terrible person through and through and one of the many enablers of child abuse when he was still Bishop of Munich. ---
**Author:** ![Coriolanus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/coriolanus/32/18769_2.png) [@Coriolanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coriolanus)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2025, 10:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-pope-has-died-april-21-2025/1017296/19 "2025-04-21T10:57:42Z")
Today is the 2nd day of the Easter Octave, a term I’d not heard before. I suppose somehow they were extra-special in some way as Jesus was around for 40 days. He was corporeal and ate food so was not a ghost (as per doubting Thomas) On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, **with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders** , Jesus came and stood among them and said, **‘Peace be with you!’** (John 20:19) ---
**Author:** ![scudsucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scudsucker/32/14101_2.png) [@scudsucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scudsucker)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2025, 11:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-pope-has-died-april-21-2025/1017296/20 "2025-04-21T11:01:45Z")
> [@blue\_infinity](#): > > Not a bad Pope. 7/10 I’m nominally catholic, so this made me giggle a little. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-pope-has-died-april-21-2025/1017296.md?page=2)