Pope Francis has died following complications from a cerebral stroke that led to a coma and ultimately irreversible heart failure, the Vatican announced on Monday. Dr. Andrea Arcangeli, head of the Vatican’s health department, confirmed the pontiff's death in an official statement, noting that Pope Francis passed away at 7:35 a.m. local time. “The Holy Father suffered a severe cerebral stroke that resulted in a coma,” Arcangeli said. “Despite intensive care, it led to irreversible heart failure.” The Director of the Directorate of Health and Hygiene of the Vatican City State releases the cause of death for Pope Francis: a stroke, followed by a coma and irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse. — Vatican News (@VaticanNews) April 21, 2025 The 88-year-old pontiff had been battling multiple health conditions in recent months, including respiratory insufficiency, bilateral pneumonia, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension. “These pre-existing conditions significantly complicated his recovery,” Arcangeli added. In keeping with his lifelong emphasis on humility, Pope Francis requested a simple burial at the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome. Pope Francis will be buried in the Basilica of St. Mary Major in the Pauline Chapel, which houses the ancient icon of Maria Salus Populi Romani, as he requested in his Spiritual Testament. The Holy See Press Office announced that Dr. Andrea Arcangeli, the Director of the… pic.twitter.com/LqXEHgqzhj — Vatican News (@VaticanNews) April 21, 2025 Pope Francis will be laid to rest in the Basilica of St. Mary Major's Pauline Chapel, as per his wishes stated in his Spiritual Testament. The Pope's death was attributed to a stroke leading to a coma and cardiocirculatory collapse, with underlying health issues including pneumonia, hypertension, and diabetes. In a statement shared by the Vatican on X, the late pope had said, “The tomb must be in the earth; simple, without particular decoration and with the only inscription Franciscus.”
