According to Vatican News, Pope Francis, the 266th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, passed away at 7:35 AM on April 21, 2025, at the Casa Santa Marta in Vatican City due to a stroke and heart failure, at the age of 88. This news shocked billions of Catholics around the world and triggered widespread mourning. Meanwhile, the cryptocurrency market experienced fluctuations following the Pope's death. GMGN market data showed that the meme coin LUCE, named after the mascot of the Vatican's 2025 Holy Year, surged by 70% in a short time, with its market value briefly exceeding $15 million, now retreating to $12 million.
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, was the first Pope from Latin America. Since his election in 2013, he has been deeply loved for his humble and approachable image. He refused to live in the luxurious papal palace, choosing instead the simple Casa Santa Marta, and has publicly criticized the extravagance and privileges within the Church. According to The Guardian, Pope Francis requested a simplified funeral in his will, stating that his body should not be buried in St. Peter's Basilica but rather in the Basilica of Santa Maria in Rome, with only the word "Franciscus" inscribed on his tombstone, reflecting his consistent low-profile style.
During his 12-year tenure, Pope Francis promoted several reforms, advocating for inclusivity and dialogue, and focusing on global issues such as poverty, immigration, and climate change. He publicly called for an end to the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, and on the eve of Easter, despite doctors' advice, he personally washed the feet of prisoners in a Roman jail, demonstrating compassion and action. However, his reforms also faced resistance from conservatives, some of whom believed he was too radical and altered traditional doctrines.
The news of the Pope's death not only caused a stir in religious and social spheres but also unexpectedly ignited a speculative frenzy in the cryptocurrency market. LUCE, a meme coin named after the Vatican's 2025 Holy Year mascot "LUCE," was launched at the end of October 2024 and has no official connection to the Vatican. According to crypto.news, after the announcement of the Pope's death, the price of LUCE surged over 168% within 24 hours, peaking above 0.0255 USDT, with its market value quickly climbing to over $80 million.
On platform X, accounts such as @MetaEraCN pointed out that the surge in LUCE was due to the market's "emotional reaction" to the Pope's death, similar to the logic of related memorabilia appreciating after a celebrity's passing. @wwfhbz posted that LUCE, as a "limited edition relic" promoted by the Pope, could potentially reach a market value of $100 million in the short term. However, experts warned that meme coins are highly volatile, and LUCE's price has already retreated to $12 million, urging investors to be cautious of risks.
Following the Pope's death, the Vatican entered a "Sede Vacante" period. According to CNN, American Cardinal Kevin Farrell, as the papal chamberlain, is responsible for overseeing transitional matters, including sealing the papal residence and certifying the death ceremony. Next, the College of Cardinals will hold a secret meeting (Conclave) to elect a new Pope. Potential candidates include Italian Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, and Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin.
The death of Pope Francis has prompted mourning from global leaders and followers. Taiwan's leader Lai Ching-te instructed the ambassador to the Vatican to attend the funeral, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that it would send officials of appropriate rank to pay respects. Citizens in Buenos Aires, Argentina, mourned outside the San José de Flores Cathedral, where Pope Francis frequently visited in his youth. The Vatican announced a nine-day mourning period (Novemdiales), during which Pope Francis' body will be displayed in St. Peter's Basilica for three days for the faithful to pay their respects, before being moved to Santa Maria Basilica for burial.
The passing of Pope Francis marks the end of an era, and his legacy will continue to resonate within and outside the Catholic Church. The brief frenzy surrounding LUCE reflects the market's emotional response to significant events. How the election of the new Pope will impact the Church and the global landscape remains to be seen.
This article represents the author's personal views and does not reflect the position or views of this platform. This article is for informational sharing only and does not constitute any investment advice for anyone.
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