Pope Francis died of stroke and heart failure - Vatican

POPE Francis died of a stroke followed by a coma and heart failure, the Vatican announced yesterday.

“The cause of Pope Francis' death has been identified as a stroke, followed by a coma and irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse,” Vatican doctor Andrea Arcangeli stated in the death certificate, according to Anadolu Ajansi (AA).

The Vatican confirmed the death through electrocardiographic thanatography, citing the official certification issued by Arcangeli, head of the Directorate of Health and Hygiene of the Vatican City State.

The Holy See also released the Pope’s spiritual testament dated June 29, 2022, which contains his final wishes and burial instructions.

“I ask that my mortal remains rest -- awaiting the day of the Resurrection -- in the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major,” wrote the Pope, noting it was where he always prayed “at the beginning and end of every Apostolic Journey.”

He further requested that his tomb be simple, in the ground, and “without particular ornamentation.”

The Vatican had earlier announced the death of Pope Francis, 88, who had struggled with various ailments throughout his 12-year papacy.

His health had sharply declined in recent weeks following a severe bout of double pneumonia, for which he was hospitalised in Rome for over a month. - April 22, 2025