Vatican announces reason for Pope Francis's passing
The Vatican has confirmed that Pope Francis passed away due to a stroke followed by heart failure, detailing the health issues that led to his death at the age of 88 on Easter Monday. According to the Holy See, Francis died at 7:35 AM on April...
TroibNews 
The Vatican has confirmed that Pope Francis passed away due to a stroke followed by heart failure, detailing the health issues that led to his death at the age of 88 on Easter Monday.
According to the Holy See, Francis died at 7:35 AM on April 21 in his residence at Casa Santa Marta, Vatican City. Dr. Andrea Arcangeli, Director of the Directorate of Health and Hygiene of the Vatican City State, stated that the official cause of death was “stroke, followed by a coma and irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse.”
In an official death certificate released on Monday evening, Dr. Arcangeli declared, “I hereby declare… that the causes of death, to the best of my knowledge and judgment, are as stated above.”
The Vatican’s announcement also indicated that the Pope had been dealing with several chronic health conditions, including bilateral pneumonia, bronchiectasis, arterial hypertension, and type 2 diabetes. Recently, he had spent 38 days in the hospital due to double pneumonia, during which he experienced a life-threatening health crisis that caused doctors to consider administering palliative care.
Despite his deteriorating health, Pope Francis made a final public appearance on Easter Sunday, April 20, during Holy Mass in St. Peter’s Square. Although a member of the clergy delivered his traditional Easter address, the Pope managed to rise from his wheelchair and wave to the adoring crowd from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, stating, “Dear brothers and sisters, happy Easter.”
In his final testament, released by the Vatican, the pontiff expressed, “As I sense that the twilight of my earthly life is approaching, and with firm hope in Eternal Life, I wish to express my final wishes regarding my burial place.” He added, “May the Lord grant the deserved reward to those who have wished me well and will continue to pray for me. The suffering that marked the final part of my life, I offer to the Lord, for peace in the world and brotherhood among peoples.”
Respecting his wishes, Francis will be interred in a simple grave at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, a departure from the traditional papal resting place at St. Peter’s Basilica. His spiritual testament requested a modest burial “in the ground; simple, without particular ornamentation, and bearing only the inscription: Franciscus.”
The Vatican has announced that the Pope’s body will lie in state at St. Peter’s Basilica starting Wednesday, allowing the public to pay their respects. Cardinals are expected to gather on Tuesday to decide on the funeral date, which typically occurs between four and six days after a pope's passing.
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, was elected in March 2013, becoming the first Jesuit and the first Latin American pope. His 12-year papacy emphasized humility, social justice, and interfaith dialogue, and he was well-known for his advocacy for the poor, environmental concerns, and efforts to reform the Catholic Church.
Alejandro Jose Martinez for TROIB News
According to the Holy See, Francis died at 7:35 AM on April 21 in his residence at Casa Santa Marta, Vatican City. Dr. Andrea Arcangeli, Director of the Directorate of Health and Hygiene of the Vatican City State, stated that the official cause of death was “stroke, followed by a coma and irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse.”
In an official death certificate released on Monday evening, Dr. Arcangeli declared, “I hereby declare… that the causes of death, to the best of my knowledge and judgment, are as stated above.”
The Vatican’s announcement also indicated that the Pope had been dealing with several chronic health conditions, including bilateral pneumonia, bronchiectasis, arterial hypertension, and type 2 diabetes. Recently, he had spent 38 days in the hospital due to double pneumonia, during which he experienced a life-threatening health crisis that caused doctors to consider administering palliative care.
Despite his deteriorating health, Pope Francis made a final public appearance on Easter Sunday, April 20, during Holy Mass in St. Peter’s Square. Although a member of the clergy delivered his traditional Easter address, the Pope managed to rise from his wheelchair and wave to the adoring crowd from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, stating, “Dear brothers and sisters, happy Easter.”
In his final testament, released by the Vatican, the pontiff expressed, “As I sense that the twilight of my earthly life is approaching, and with firm hope in Eternal Life, I wish to express my final wishes regarding my burial place.” He added, “May the Lord grant the deserved reward to those who have wished me well and will continue to pray for me. The suffering that marked the final part of my life, I offer to the Lord, for peace in the world and brotherhood among peoples.”
Respecting his wishes, Francis will be interred in a simple grave at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, a departure from the traditional papal resting place at St. Peter’s Basilica. His spiritual testament requested a modest burial “in the ground; simple, without particular ornamentation, and bearing only the inscription: Franciscus.”
The Vatican has announced that the Pope’s body will lie in state at St. Peter’s Basilica starting Wednesday, allowing the public to pay their respects. Cardinals are expected to gather on Tuesday to decide on the funeral date, which typically occurs between four and six days after a pope's passing.
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, was elected in March 2013, becoming the first Jesuit and the first Latin American pope. His 12-year papacy emphasized humility, social justice, and interfaith dialogue, and he was well-known for his advocacy for the poor, environmental concerns, and efforts to reform the Catholic Church.
Alejandro Jose Martinez for TROIB News
