The Journal: Pope Francis Has Died. What’s Next for the Catholic Church?

Episode Release Date: April 21, 2025
Hosts: Kate Linebaugh and Ryan Knutson, with Jessica Mendoza
Production: The Wall Street Journal & Gimlet, Spotify

Introduction

In this poignant episode of The Journal, host Jessica Mendoza, alongside correspondent Margarita Stancati based in Rome, delves into the sudden death of Pope Francis and explores the implications for the future of the Catholic Church. The episode meticulously examines Pope Francis’s legacy, the immediate reactions to his passing, and the intricate process that will follow in selecting his successor.

Last Public Appearance and Death Announcement

The episode opens with Jessica Mendoza recounting Pope Francis's final public appearance:

Jessica Mendoza [00:10]: "Yesterday, on Easter Sunday, Pope Francis graced the public with his presence outside the Vatican for the last time."

Margarita Stancati provides detailed observations of the event:

Margarita Stancati [00:19]: "He appeared on the balcony at St. Peter's Basilica. He blessed the crowd that had gathered there for Easter. The Pope seemed very frail and still breathless."

Stancati further confirms the Pope’s declining health and the unexpected nature of his passing:

Margarita Stancati [00:37]: "Pope Francis had a life-threatening bout with pneumonia recently... The Vatican announced that Pope Francis had died at 7:35 this morning in his apartment in the Vatican."

The formal announcement from the Vatican is highlighted:

Pope Francis [01:06]: "Con profondo dolore devo annunciare la morte del nostro Santo Padre Francesco."
(Translation: "With deep sorrow, I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis.")

Stancati emphasizes the unexpectedness of his death, noting his public appearance just hours before.

Who Was Pope Francis?

The hosts delve into the background and personal life of Pope Francis, providing listeners with a comprehensive understanding of his journey:

Margarita Stancati [03:09]: "So Pope Francis was born in Argentina, in Buenos Aires, in 1936... he spent his youth in Argentina. That's where he became a priest and where he also first became bishop."

Jessica Mendoza outlines his rise within the Church:

Jessica Mendoza [03:32]: "Francis was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio and was ordained as a Jesuit when he was in his early 30s. In 2001, he became a cardinal... In 2013, he became a surprising pick to lead a worldwide population of Catholics that now exceeds an estimated 1.4 billion people."

Pope Francis is celebrated as a trailblazer:

Pope Francis [04:06]: "Francisco Giorgio Mario Bergoglio, a Jesuit pope from Argentina, the first pope in 2000 years from the New World."

Further distinctions include:

• First Pope from the Americas
• First Jesuit Pope
• Chosen the name Francis after Saint Francis of Assisi

Margarita Stancati [04:26]: "He was the first pope from the Jesuit order and the first pope to take the name Francis... He chose a modest lifestyle, living in a simple car and a modest apartment instead of the luxurious Apostolic Palace."

Leadership and Reforms

Pope Francis's leadership style and reforms significantly shaped his papacy:

Margarita Stancati [05:16]: "He always made a point of spending time with the poor, with the homeless, and even with prison inmates."

His efforts to combat corruption within the Vatican are noted:

Jessica Mendoza [05:22]: "Francis criticized corruption in the Vatican bank... improving financial transparency and preventing money laundering."

Pope Francis adopted progressive stances on various social issues:

Margarita Stancati [05:41]: "He was much more informal, and he adopted much more lenient positions on issues that ranged from homosexuality to contraception to divorce."

A notable quote reflecting his inclusive approach:

Pope Francis [05:56]: "If a person is gay and seeks God and has goodwill, who am I to judge him?"

Despite his progressive views, he maintained core conservative doctrines:

Margarita Stancati [06:01]: "He was still the head of the Catholic Church, which was still conservative."

His global influence extended to climate advocacy and peace:

Margarita Stancati [06:35]: "He criticized global capitalism... called for an end to conflicts in Gaza, in Ukraine, and in Sudan... reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change."

Pope Francis [07:37]: "Climate change is a problem."

Legacy and Controversies

While widely respected, Pope Francis's tenure was not without criticism:

• Handling of Sexual Abuse Scandals:

  Jessica Mendoza [07:47]: "He also faced a lot of criticism... in 2018, the Pope had defended a bishop from Chile who was accused of covering up abuses."

  Margarita Stancati [08:13]: "Critics say he could have done more... Bishop Accountability stated the Pope should have removed and punished abusers more decisively."

• Balancing Progressivism and Conservatism:

  Margarita Stancati [09:06]: "Conservative Catholics... complained that the Pope was blurring the lines on doctrine... worried he was being too liberal on issues such as celibacy."

Despite controversies, his overall legacy remains impactful:

Margarita Stancati [09:50]: "Francis legacy ultimately is promoting social and economic justice... addressing injustices and speaking out against conflicts."

Reactions to His Death

The Catholic community experiences profound grief and transitions:

Jessica Mendoza [12:02]: "The death of Pope Francis has left the administration of the Catholic Church to the Vatican's camerlengo, or chamberlain, Cardinal Kevin Farrell."

Plans for mourning and succession are outlined:

Margarita Stancati [12:16]: "There will be a period of mourning, a funeral, and then a conclave to elect a new pope."

Electing the Next Pope

The conclave process is detailed, highlighting its secrecy and complexity:

Jessica Mendoza [12:40]: "A conclave is a highly secretive gathering of cardinals... 135 cardinals... shut out from the outside world until the decision is made."

Key aspects include:

• Two-Thirds Majority Requirement:

  Margarita Stancati [13:00]: "The conclave requires 2/3 of the cardinals to agree on who the new pope will be."

• Influence of Pope Francis's Appointments:

  Margarita Stancati [10:35]: "Pope Francis... appointed about 2/3 of the cardinals participating in the conclave."

Potential candidates emerge, each bringing different visions:

Margarita Stancati [14:01]: "Among the eligible candidates is the Vatican's Secretary of State... a cardinal from Hungary... a Congolese archbishop... a former archbishop from the Philippines known as the Asian Francis."

Future of the Catholic Church

The episode concludes with insights into the evolving nature of the Catholic Church:

Margarita Stancati [14:32]: "The new pope will inherit a church that is a lot more global... shifting focus from Europe to South America and Africa... challenges include balancing liberal and conservative factions within a diverse global congregation."

The transformation towards a more international church presents both opportunities and hurdles, ensuring that the Church remains dynamic and responsive to a changing world.

Conclusion

As The Journal navigates through the unexpected demise of Pope Francis, it encapsulates the essence of his transformative papacy, the immediate administrative responses, and the uncertain yet hopeful path ahead for the Catholic Church. The episode serves as a comprehensive guide for listeners to understand the profound impact of Pope Francis’s leadership and the significant processes that will shape the future of one of the world's largest religious institutions.

Additional Reporting: Francis X Raca and Marcus Walker
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Production Credits: The Wall Street Journal & Gimlet, Spotify