Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio and head of the Catholic Church since March 13, 2013, has passed away. As with the death of his predecessor, the “emeritus pope” Benedict XVI—whom the Italian state honored with a national day of mourning and ceremonial tributes typically reserved for top political offices—Bergoglio’s death has strongly entered the public debate. Italy has ordered flags at half-mast and the cancellation of various sporting and cultural events, including some planned for the anniversary of the founding of Rome, along with extraordinary security measures.
