Pope Francis passed away yesterday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88, while Klaus Schwab, founder of the World Economic Forum (WEF), announced his immediate resignation as chair of the organisation.
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, died at 7:35 AM at his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta in the aftermath of pneumonia, followed by a stroke and cardiac arrest. The Vatican reported that his health had deteriorated rapidly following Easter Mass on April 20, exacerbated by a history of respiratory issues, including a hospitalisation earlier in the year.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell announced the pontiff’s death on Vatican television, stating, “With profound sadness, I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis, who returned to the house of the Father.” The Vatican has begun preparations for a conclave to elect a new pope, with a nine-day mourning period underway.
Pope Francis, the first pontiff from the Americas, has led the Catholic Church since 2013. His tenure was marked by efforts to reform the Church and address global issues like poverty, though it also faced criticism from some quarters for perceived liberal shifts.
Klaus Schwab resigns
On the same day, Klaus Schwab, the 88-year-old German economist and founder of the World Economic Forum, informed the global community by resigning as chair of the WEF’s board of trustees, effective immediately.
Schwab, who established the WEF in 1971 and transformed its annual Davos meeting into a cornerstone of the global elite and political discourse, cited his advancing age and a planned governance transition as primary reasons for his departure.
In a statement, he said, “As I enter my 88th year, I have decided to step down from the position of Chair and as a member of the Board of Trustees, with immediate effect.”
However, Schwab’s resignation comes amid recent controversies surrounding the WEF’s internal culture. Reports from 2024 highlighted allegations of harassment and discrimination within the organisation, prompting an external investigation.
A source told NewsVoice in 2022 that Schwab controlled all aspects of the work at WEF on every detail and that people within the organisation tended to resign due to an ”impossible” working situation.
Although the WEF stated that no legal violations were found and allegations against Schwab were deemed untrue, the scrutiny may have contributed to his decision to step down sooner than anticipated.
The WEF had previously announced in May 2024 that Schwab would transition to a non-executive role by January 2025, but his abrupt exit has fueled speculation about additional pressures.
The WEF board accepted Schwab’s resignation on April 20, appointing Vice Chairman Peter Brabeck-Letmathe, former CEO of Nestlé, as interim chair while a search for a permanent successor begins.
The organisation emphasised its commitment to “shaping the future” amid global challenges, signalling continuity in its mission.
Reactions
The simultaneous loss of Pope Francis and Schwab’s resignation has sparked varied reactions. Some, particularly in conservative circles, have celebrated Schwab’s departure, viewing the WEF as emblematic of globalist agendas.
Posts on X reflected this sentiment, with figures like Alex Jones and Marjorie Taylor Greene framing the events as a “globalist retreat,”.
Others see the timing as coincidental, driven by the advanced ages of the figures, both 88, and their respective health and organisational challenges.
Sources and related
- Vatican.va: Constatazione della morte e deposizione nella bara della salma del romano pontefice francesco
- WEF: World Economic Forum Announces Governance Transition
- Newsweek: MAGA Celebrates World Economic Forum Founder Klaus Schwab’s Departure
- Bloomberg: World Economic Forum’s Schwab Steps Down After Over 50 Years
