Cliff Notes
- Pope Francis passed away at the age of 88 due to a cerebral stroke that resulted in a coma and subsequent heart failure, as reported by the Vatican.
- He requested a simple burial in Rome’s Basilica of Saint Mary Major, with plans for a public viewing at St Peter’s Basilica potentially commencing Wednesday morning.
- World leaders, including the King of the United Kingdom and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, expressed their condolences, highlighting Francis’s impact on marginalized communities.
Pope Francis died from stroke and heart failure, Vatican says
Pope Francis died from a cerebral stroke that led to a coma and irreversible heart failure, the Vatican has said.
The update comes around 12 hours after the Pope’s death was announced.
A death certificate released for the 88-year-old pontiff said he had fallen into a coma before his death early on Monday and revealed he had also suffered from high blood pressure and diabetes.
In his final testament, Francis said he wished to be buried in Rome’s Basilica of Saint Mary Major, rather than at St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, where many previous pontiffs have been laid to rest.
Francis’ coffin might be moved to St Peter’s Basilica as early as Wednesday morning to allow the faithful to pay their respects, a Vatican spokesman said.
Pope Francis had suffered from a chronic lung disease and had part of a lung removed as a young man.
Health issues plagued him throughout his later life, and he was admitted to Gemelli hospital in Rome on 14 February for a respiratory crisis that developed into double pneumonia.