The Vatican confirmed the cause of Pope Francis' death

Pope Francis passed away this Monday at the age of 88, according to an official statement from the Vatican. The pontiff's death occurred just one day after his last public appearance, when he appeared on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica to deliver his Easter message to a crowd gathered in the square. According to the Vatican, Jorge Mario Bergoglio died after suffering a stroke.

"I certify that His Holiness Francis (Jorge Mario Bergoglio) born in Buenos Aires (Argentina) on December 17, 1936, resident in Vatican City, Vatican Citizen, passed away at 7:35 a.m. on 04/21/2025 in his apartment at Domus Santa Marta (Vatican City) from: a stroke, coma, and irreversible cardiovascular collapse," states the official communiqué.

According to the Holy See, the pontiff had previously presented "a prior episode of acute respiratory failure in bilateral polymicrobial pneumonia; multiple bronchiectasis: hypertension; type II diabetes; the confirmation of death was made through electrocardioanatomic recording."

"I declare that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the causes of death are as indicated above," concludes the document signed by Andrea Arcangeli, Director of the Directorate of Health and Hygiene of the Vatican City State.

The Supreme Pontiff, aged 88, died on Monday morning, almost a month after being discharged following hospitalization due to a severe pneumonia that kept him hospitalized for 38 days. His health, according to Vatican sources, had been a cause of concern in recent months, facing at least two serious episodes that left him in a delicate condition.

Meanwhile, the Vatican communicated that, in his final will, the Pope expressly indicated his desire to be buried in the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome, and "without particular decoration."

It is worth noting that numerous previous popes were buried in St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. He also requested that his tomb bear only the inscription of his papal name in Latin: Franciscus.