One Body in Christ: The Church After the Death of Pope Francis
- Mapy Rodríguez Garza
- Mar 9
- 5 min read
Updated: Mar 10
The death of Pope Francis in 2025 marked a moment of reflection and mourning for Catholics and non-Catholics alike. Yet, even in that grief, we were reminded of a deeper truth: the Church is one body in Christ—alive with the Holy Spirit, guided by the successors of Saint Peter and by the priests, and strengthened through the faithful’s shared communion.
Death of Pope Francis: What is the Mission of the Supreme Pontiff?
The mission of the Pope is to safeguard the unity of the Catholic Church.
The principal mission of the Supreme Pontiff is to safeguard unity: the unity of the faith and the unity of the Catholic Church. This responsibility was solemnly defined during the First Vatican Council in the Constitution Pastor Aeternus.
The Pope serves as the visible center of unity for all the faithful and exercises three essential ministries: sanctifying, teaching, and governing. As the Vicar of Christ, Head of the College of Bishops, and Shepherd of the Universal Church, the Roman Pontiff holds full, supreme, and universal authority over the Catholic Church. This authority can be exercised freely and effectively in matters concerning the life and mission of the Church.
Death of Pope Francis: The Church during the Sede Vacante
When a Pope dies, the Catholic Church enters a period known as Sede Vacante, meaning “the vacant seat.”
During this time, the Chair of Saint Peter remains empty until a new Pope is elected.
During these days, the cardinals celebrate nine days of Masses for the repose of the Pope’s soul, known as the novemdiales.
The apostolic constitution Universi Dominici Gregis, promulgated by Saint John Paul II in 1996, establishes the procedures to be followed after the death of a Pontiff and regulates the election of his successor.
Even during this period without a Pope, the Church continues her mission, sustained by the faith of her members and guided by the Holy Spirit.
Preparing the Election of a New Pope
During the Sede Vacante, the College of Cardinals prepares for the election of the new Pope.
While their authority is limited to urgent and necessary matters, the cardinals are responsible for ensuring the ordinary functioning of the Church and organizing the conclave in which the next Pontiff will be elected.
The election process is governed primarily by Universi Dominici Gregis, as well as by Benedict XVI’s apostolic letter Normas Nonnullas. According to these norms, the conclave must begin within twenty days after the start of the Sede Vacante. A maximum of 120 cardinals may vote, and only those under the age of eighty are eligible to participate as electors.
After the funeral rites of the Pontiff, the entire Church is invited to pray and ask for the guidance of the Holy Spirit, so that the cardinal electors may choose a new Vicar of Christ who will faithfully place above all else the salvation of souls and the good of the entire People of God.
The Role of Bishops in the Unity of the Church
Bishops share the responsibility of preserving the unity of the Church.
The College of Bishops, united with the Pope, is a visible sign of communion within the Church. While each bishop governs his diocese with a certain autonomy, his ministry is always exercised in communion with the Successor of Peter.
This collegial unity is reflected both in the relationship between each bishop and his local Church and in his participation in the life of the universal Church. Bishops are called to safeguard the unity of faith and discipline, to form the faithful in love for Jesus Christ, and above all, to bring the hope and consolation of the Gospel to the poor and to those who suffer.
Priests: Collaborators in the Mission of the Church
Priests collaborate closely with the Pope and the bishops in the mission of the Church.
The mission of proclaiming the Gospel to the whole world also belongs to the body of priests, who work in communion with the Successor of Saint Peter.
The priest is a sign and instrument of the one mediator before the Father: Jesus Christ. Priests guide and spiritually nourish their communities while respecting local cultures and traditions, thereby reflecting the universality of the Catholic Church.
Through their priestly ordination, priests receive a sacramental character that enables them to celebrate the Eucharist, bringing about the transubstantiation of the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ, and to forgive sins in the sacrament of reconciliation.
The Mission of the Laity
All baptised members of the Church share in her mission to proclaim the Gospel.
As baptised members of the Church, the laity share a common vocation: to collaborate in the salvific mission of the Church.
United through Baptism and strengthened by the sacraments, the laity are sent to bring the Gospel to places where the Church cannot always be physically present. In daily life, they are called to be bearers of peace and hope, reflecting the teachings of the Catholic Church and striving to be, in the words of Christ, “the salt of the earth and the light of the world.”
A Church for Everyone
The Catholic Church is a universal community called to welcome all people.
Pope Francis often reminded us:
“In the Church, there is room for everyone, everyone, everyone.”
The Church is one, through the unity of faith in Christ; holy, by divine will; catholic, through the diversity of her members; and apostolic, because she is founded upon the preaching and authority of the Apostles and continues their mission by faithfully proclaiming the Gospel.
Although the death of Pope Francis was a moment of grief and reflection, the Catholic Church remains alive, active, and full of hope, because her true head is Jesus Christ. The passing of Pope Francis reminded us that the Church’s mission does not depend on one person alone, but on the living presence of Christ who continues to guide His people through every generation.
Now we have another great Pope, dutifully carrying his responsibilities with joy: Pope Leo XIV. May his ministry guide the Church with wisdom and compassion, and may we walk with him, sharing in the mission of faith, hope, and love for all humanity.
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Bibliography
Benedict XVI. (2013). Apostolic Letter Normas Nonnullas. Rome. Retrieved fromhttps://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/motu_proprio/documents/hf_ben-xvi_motu-proprio_20130222_normas-nonnullas.html
Code of Canon Law. Articles 330–336. Retrieved fromhttps://www.vatican.va/archive/cod-iuris-canonici/cic_index_en.html
John Paul II. (1996). Apostolic Constitution Universi Dominici Gregis. Rome. Retrieved fromhttps://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/apost_constitutions/documents/hf_jp-ii_apc_22021996_universi-dominici-gregis.html
Paul VI. (1964). Dogmatic Constitution on the Church: Lumen Gentium. Rome. Articles 22, 23, 26, 32, 33. Retrieved fromhttps://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19641121_lumen-gentium_en.html
Pius IX. (1870). Dogmatic Constitution Pastor Aeternus. Rome. Retrieved fromhttps://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/i-vatican-council/documents/vat-i_const_18700718_pastor-aeternus_it.html
Tomko, J. (1989). Pastoral Guide for Diocesan Priests. Rome. Retrieved fromhttps://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cevang/documents/rc_con_cevang_doc_19971001_priests_en.html
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