Pope Francis died of a cerebral stroke that put him in a coma and led to irreversible heart failure, the Vatican announced Monday afternoon.
Professor Andrea Arcangeli, director of the Directorate of Health and Hygiene of the Vatican City State, confirmed Francis’s cause of death in a report. Francis suffered from a history of acute respiratory failure caused by multimicrobial bilateral pneumonia, multiple bronchiectases, high blood pressure, and Type 2 diabetes.
He died Monday at 7:35 a.m. at his residence, the Casa Santa Marta. His death was announced at 9:45 a.m. local time by the camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, Cardinal Kevin Farrell.
The pontiff insisted on keeping a busy schedule until the end despite warnings from his doctors to take two months to rest. On Easter Sunday, he met with Vice President JD Vance, drove through St. Peter’s Square in an open car, gave blessings, and spoke to the tens of thousands of faithful gathered.
POPE FRANCIS, LEADER OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH, DEAD AT 88
Medical experts told the Washington Examiner that Francis’s decision to adopt a busy schedule may have directly contributed to his sudden death.