Pope Francis’ cause of death revealed
The Supreme Pontiff was hospitalized at the beginning of March for bronchitis, where he remained under treatment for more than a month.
Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square.
Pope Francis died of a stroke that caused a coma and irreversible cardiocirculatory failure. This is revealed in his death certificate, signed by the director of the Vatican's Department of Health and Hygiene, Andrea Arcangeli, and released in the last few hours.
The information is known amid a flood of farewell messages, prayers and acts in his honor. Among those, that of President Donald Trump, who ordered American flags to fly at half-staff.
The death of the 88-year-old Supreme Pontiff was first reported by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who will hold the post internally until a successor is named.
Francis' last public appearance came on Sunday, when from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, he wished, in a faint voice, a Happy Easter to thousands of faithful gathered there.
The Pope had recently been released from a stay of more than a month in Rome's Gemelli hospital, where he was admitted for bronchitis that made it difficult for him to breathe. After receiving treatment for pneumonia in both lungs, he was able to leave to continue his recovery at home.
His health visibly worsened back in 2023. That year he had to start using a wheelchair and there were rumors of a possible resignation, just like his predecessor Benedict XVI.
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