Pope Francis dies after Easter Sunday — Here’s what Utah’s Catholic leaders say comes next

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — Pope Francis died at age 88 on April 21, 2025, the day after Easter Sunday. Now, Utah reverends explain what Catholics can expect to come next, both locally and internationally.

Father Gabriel Mosher, O.P., told ABC4.com that “it’s always a huge thing when the Holy Father dies,” adding that “everything in Rome stops.”

“Every time it’s sadness, but here it’s this weird mixture between the joy of Easter and the sadness of the loss of the Pope,” he said. “It’s a little bit of whiplash.”

Father Martin Diaz, rector of the Cathedral of the Madeleine in Salt Lake, said that while their hearts are broken, he sees the timing of the Pope’s death as “a wonderful gift from God.” He says it reminds those who celebrate that Easter is not just a “past event, but a reality of today.”

“For us, Pope Francis is dead. But for him, he is alive. He is experiencing now what he preached on all his life as a priest, a bishop, and now as Pope,” he said.

How a new pope is chosen

At noon in Salt Lake City, Diaz said they rang the cathedral bells to honor Pope Francis’ body being placed in a coffin. He said the casketing begins nine days of mourning and prayer, during which cardinals from across the world will gather in Vatican City.

Diaz said Pope Francis was focused on reaching those who were on the periphery, adding that he appointed cardinals from across the globe — not just from the traditional European and North American regions. He noted that these cardinals will now be coming together to elect the next pope.

This will take place in what is known as a conclave, where cardinals will pray and discuss who to elect. When they’ve made a decision, white smoke will be seen coming out of the Sistine Chapel. The new pope will then present himself, and his new name will be announced, Mosher explained.

What to expect

When it comes to any changes that may arise from the announcement of a new pope, Mosher said people never know exactly what to expect, as each pope has their own focus. However, he added that there are parts of the church that will never be changed.

“There’s a certain foundation in the church, things that are stable, things that are unchangeable,” he said. “Even a pope can’t change certain things, because he’s a servant to the tradition, not its master.”

How Utah Catholics will honor Pope Francis

On Tuesday, April 22, Bishop Oscar Solis will celebrate Mass for Pope Francis in Salt Lake City’s Cathedral of the Madeleine starting at 5:15 p.m. The day before the celebration, Bishop Solis spoke to Utahns in a press conference.

“We have lost a humble shepherd, especially at the time when we celebrated yesterday, the glorious time of the year we call Easter,” Solis said. “We are saddened by the death of our Holy Father.”

Solis said Pope Francis touched many people’s lives with his humility, and counseled local leaders of the Catholic church to spend time with their congregations and communities.

“His last act as a shepherd, as a pope, is being with the people he loves and serves, with so much joy,” Solis said. “I hope that we can remember this wonderful man in a special way — a man who believes that the love of God is for everyone.”

Solis thanked the community for joining the Catholic church in grieving the death of Pope Francis, and welcomed Utahns to join in the April 22 mass.