The world watches as Glenn Beck delves into Pope Francis’s transformative influence on the Catholic Church following the Pope’s passing.
Key Takeaways
- Pope Francis died on April 21, 2025, at age 88, after suffering a stroke.
- Rumors circulate about a secret conclave of cardinals that will decide his successor.
- Glenn Beck critiques Pope Francis’s globalist shift and contrasts it with Pope Benedict XVI’s traditionalism.
- Beck discusses how Francis’s leadership diverged from conservative Catholic doctrines.
- Pope Francis’s health issues, especially his respiratory ailments, often hindered his duties.
The Passing of Pope Francis
Pope Francis, the first Latin American pope, passed away on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta, at 88 years old. His death was announced by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who emphasized Francis’s dedication to Gospel values and service to the Church. Pope Francis succumbed to a stroke that led to heart failure after an extensive period of illness starting with a severe case of bronchitis in February.
After spending 38 days in the hospital, Pope Francis returned to Casa Santa Marta to recover. His longstanding health issues, stemming from a 1957 surgery that removed part of his lung, periodically prevented him from fulfilling papal duties, including a canceled trip to the UAE in November 2023.
Tributes and Critiques
Global leaders such as King Charles III and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen paid tribute to Francis’s efforts in advocating for marginalized groups and fostering interfaith dialogue. He held a recent meeting with U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who expressed his sorrow over the pope’s frail condition.
“We are saying goodbye to a great man and a great shepherd,” said Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, one of Pope Francis’s official visitors in hospital.
However, Pope Francis’s papacy was not without controversy. His approach to doctrinal issues, such as climate change, drew criticism from more conservative quarters, including allegations of maintaining neutrality on global political conflicts. Notably, his stances on Ukraine and Russia were divisive, attracting mixed reactions.
Shifting Dynamics within the Vatican
Beck suggests a shift occurred that distanced the Vatican from Pope Benedict XVI’s traditional views, which he describes as “moral clarity” and a “staunch conservative” ethos. Beck alludes to an alleged ‘soft coup’ that facilitated Pope Francis’s ascension, subsequently altering the Church’s narrative to be more globalist and progressive.
The accusation that the Vatican may resemble a government body further insinuates deep-seated political maneuverings. A secret conclave of cardinals is expected to converge within 15 to 20 days to decide Pope Francis’s successor, a decision that beckons significant anticipation within the Church.
