World leaders, including current and former U.S. presidents, assembled at the Vatican for the funeral of Pope Francis, the 266th pontiff in the Catholic Church’s nearly 2,000-year history. After his passing, Francis was interred in the Basilica of St. Mary Major following a service that attracted around 400,000 mourners. The Vatican has scheduled the College of Cardinals to convene on May 7 to begin the conclave process, during which they will elect his successor. Until then, the College serves as the interim leadership of the church, which represents about 18% of the global population.
Roman Catholicism, the largest offshoot of Christianity, traces its roots back to Jesus Christ and developed further with significant events in church history, including the split from the Eastern Orthodox Church in 1054 and the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century. Today, there are approximately 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide, with notable growth occurring in Africa.
Catholics are distinct from other Christians in their specific beliefs regarding the sacraments, the importance of the papacy, and veneration of saints and the Virgin Mary. Sacraments like baptism and matrimony are central to Catholic practice. Saints are individuals recognized for their virtuous lives and dedication to faith.
Catholics believe each pope serves as a successor to Saint Peter, whom they regard as the first leader of the Church. The pope is seen as a moral authority and the unifying figure for Catholics globally, with Pope Francis emphasizing social justice and marginalized communities during his leadership.
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