Vatican Reveal Pope Francis' Cause Of Death Hours After He Passed At 88

Pope Francis suffered from a series of illnesses before his shocking death.

The Catholic church spiritual leader was reportedly in a poor state of health before his passing on Monday, April 21, 2025, at the Vatican City.

Pope Francis was earlier hospitalized in February due to double pneumonia and bronchitis, leading to speculations of death at the time.

Francis passed away from a stroke and irreversible heart failure, as confirmed by the official death certificate released by the Vatican. 

According to Vatican doctor Andrea Arcangeli, the Pope had also been in a coma before his death on Monday morning. This revelation is notable, especially since he was seen in a brief meeting with Vice President J.D. Vance the day before, on Easter Sunday.

In line with his wishes for after his death, the Vatican announced that the Pope wanted to be buried at the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome. Per TMZ, he also requested a simple tomb without elaborate ornamentation, marked only with the inscription "Franciscus."

The world received the news of the spiritual leader's death in an official statement from the Vatican. According to The Blast, the shocking message was delivered by His Eminence Cardinal Farrell. In his words:

"Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow, I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis."

Farrell confirmed, "At 7:35 this morning (local time), the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father." The Cardinal stressed that the Pope's "entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and His Church."

He emphasized that the Pope "taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially in favor of the poorest and most marginalized."

Farrell concluded his announcement by eulogizing the Pope as a symbol of "a true disciple of the Lord Jesus." The Pope passed away just a day after his final sighting on Easter Sunday, where he was captured in a photograph greeting a crowd.

On April 21, following the announcement of the Pope's death, President Donald Trump joined world leaders in mourning the loss of the beloved Catholic Church leader. 

During the White House Easter Egg Roll event, Trump delivered a heartfelt tribute, expressing his admiration for the Pope as a "very good man" who loved the world and had a special compassion for those in need. 

In recognition of Francis's passing, Trump declared it a national event and signed an executive order to lower federal and state flags to half-mast in his honor. He also shared his sentiments on Truth Social, wishing the Pope eternal peace and blessings for all who loved him.

Notably, Trump last met the Pope in 2017, while his vice president, JD Vance, had a brief encounter with Francis just hours before his passing.

Before Trump, the British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer reacted to the Pope's passing by sharing his grief on X. "Deeply saddened to hear of the death of His Holiness Pope Francis. His tireless efforts to promote a world that is fairer for all will leave a lasting legacy," Starmer shared. 

The Prime Minister concluded his tribute by sharing his "sincerest condolences to the whole Catholic Church" on behalf of the people of the United Kingdom.

The official British Royal Family account on X also shared King Charles' reaction to the Pope's passing. In his statement, the leader of the Royal Family wrote:

"My wife and I were most deeply saddened to learn of the death of Pope Francis. Our heavy hearts have been somewhat eased, however, to know that His Holiness was able to share an Easter Greeting with the Church and the world he served with such devotion throughout his life and ministry."

More world leaders also paid tribute to the late Pope in a show of respect. Among them were Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and others.

In his final public appearance, the Pope delivered a crucial message advocating for peace and understanding among all people, irrespective of their differences.

An aide read his Easter Sunday note, where he emphasized the essential need for freedom of religion, thought, and expression as foundational to achieving peace.

Reflecting on the ongoing violence in Gaza, he described the situation as a "deplorable humanitarian situation." The Pope called upon both Israeli and Palestinian forces to cease hostilities, urging them to prioritize healing and compassion.

He expressed solidarity with the suffering of both Israeli and Palestinian communities, appealing for a ceasefire, the release of hostages, and support for those in need of aid. 

May Pope Francis' soul rest in peace!