Pope Francis dies, conclave to elect successor set for May

Pope Francis, who died at age 88 after battling pneumonia, leaves behind a complex legacy marked by advocacy for migrants and efforts to reshape the Catholic Church’s stance on social issues. His outspoken support for immigrants, including a 2015 plea to Congress and criticism of policies like border walls, drew both praise and controversy, especially among conservatives in the U.S. and Europe. Francis’s papacy is widely seen as having shifted the church toward greater universalism, sometimes alienating more traditional Catholics. The upcoming conclave to elect his successor, scheduled for early May, will be closely watched, with several cardinals with Wisconsin ties—including Raymond Burke, a noted critic of Francis—participating in the selection. The new pope’s direction could either continue Francis’s approach or signal a return to more traditional policies, reflecting ongoing debates within the church. The transition underscores the continuing geopolitical and moral influence of the papacy on both Catholic-majority nations and global issues.