The white smoke has long since cleared, but for many, the reality still hasn't quite sunk in. If you've been searching for the latest update on Pope Francis, you might be surprised to find that the news isn't about a new encyclical or a controversial interview. It’s about a legacy that officially ended on April 21, 2025.
Francis, the man who brought the "smell of the sheep" to the papacy, passed away last spring. Honestly, it was a moment that felt like the end of an era because, well, it was. After a grueling battle with bilateral pneumonia that saw him in and out of Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, the 88-year-old pontiff finally rested.
Now, as we move through January 2026, the world is looking at a very different Vatican under his successor, Pope Leo XIV.
The Final Days in the Gemelli
The timeline of Francis's final months was a rollercoaster. It started with what seemed like a minor bout of bronchitis in February 2025. But things got heavy fast. He was moved to the Gemelli hospital, and for a while, the updates were cautiously optimistic. He was even eating solid food and signing decrees from his hospital bed.
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But then came the "respiratory crisis." His doctors had to put him on non-invasive mechanical ventilation. There were blood transfusions. There was kidney insufficiency. For a few days, the whole world was holding its breath. Thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square every night to say the Rosary. On April 26, 2025, he was laid to rest in a simple white tomb in St. Mary Major Basilica—the church he visited over 100 times during his papacy to pray to the Virgin Mary.
Life After Francis: What’s Happening Now?
So, what’s the latest update on Pope Francis and his mission today? Even though he’s gone, his fingerprints are everywhere. His successor, Leo XIV—formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost of Chicago—is currently navigating the "Year of St. Francis."
This special Jubilee year was actually kicked off on January 10, 2026. It marks the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi. It’s a bit of a poetic hand-off, isn't it? The first Pope Francis gave the world a new way to look at poverty and the environment, and now the Church is spending a whole year honoring the saint he took his name from.
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- The Indulgence: Catholics can now get a plenary indulgence by visiting any Franciscan church until January 2027.
- The Body: In a move that’s going to draw millions to Assisi, St. Francis’s body will be put on public display later this year.
- The Message: Leo XIV is using this year to push for "universal reconciliation," basically trying to keep Francis’s dream of peace alive while wars continue to rage in the Middle East and Ukraine.
Is the Reform Still Alive?
People often ask if the "Francis Revolution" is being rolled back. It’s complicated. Pope Leo XIV is definitely his own man. He’s already started pulling back on some of the financial centralization Francis put in place. For instance, he ended the Vatican Bank's exclusive grip on managing Holy See investments. He wants more transparency and more people at the table.
But on the big stuff? The "synodal" church? That’s still moving. Leo just gathered all the world's cardinals in Rome this month (January 2026) to talk about how to keep making the Church more responsive to regular people. He’s calling the documents of Vatican II his "guiding star."
The Travel Debt
One of the most bittersweet things about the latest update on Pope Francis is the trips he never got to take. He famously wanted to go to Argentina, his homeland, but never made it back as Pope.
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Leo XIV is now stepping up to pay that "papal debt." The 2026 travel schedule is looking packed:
- Africa first: He’s expected to head to Angola and Algeria soon.
- The Homecoming: Plans are being drawn up for a massive tour of Argentina, Uruguay, and Peru later this year.
- Spain in June: He’s planning to visit Barcelona for the 100th anniversary of Antoni Gaudí’s death.
What You Can Do Now
If you’re looking to stay connected to the legacy of Pope Francis or participate in the current events at the Vatican, here are a few things you can actually do:
- Visit the Tomb: If you’re in Rome, Francis’s tomb in St. Mary Major is open to the public. Unlike the elaborate tombs of some popes, it’s remarkably simple, just like he wanted.
- Participate in the Franciscan Jubilee: Look for a Franciscan church in your area. Most are holding special events or "Year of St. Francis" prayer services throughout 2026.
- Read the "Teacher" Book: The Argentine government just started distributing a book called The Teacher: The Humanism of Pope Francis in schools. It’s a great deep dive into his philosophical impact if you can find a translation.
- Watch the Scorsese Documentary: Martin Scorsese finished a documentary featuring what turned out to be Francis's final on-camera interviews. It’s a raw look at his vision for the future.
The transition from Francis to Leo has been smoother than many expected, but the "People's Pope" still casts a long shadow. Whether it’s through the new focus on climate action or the ongoing push for a "missionary" Church, the update isn't just about a person anymore—it's about a movement that’s still very much in motion.