Pope Francis died of a stroke, causing a coma and “irreversible” heart failure, according to his death certificate released by the Vatican on Monday.
The 88-year-old Catholic leader died on Monday morning, almost a month after having been discharged from five weeks in hospital where he nearly succumbed to double pneumonia.
Francis died at 7.35 am (0535 GMT) in his apartment at the Santa Marta residence in the Vatican. He died of “cerebral stroke, coma, irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse”, the death certificate said.
The Vatican’s certification of Pope Francis’ death:
Vatican City, 21 April 2025
DEATH OF HIS HOLINESS FRANCIS
I certify that His Holiness Francis (Jorge Mario Bergoglio), born in Buenos Aires (Argentina) on 17 December 1936, resident in Vatican City, Vatican citizen, died at 7.35 a.m. on 21/04/2025 in his apartment at Domus Santa Marta (Vatican City) due to:
– CEREBRAL STROKE
– COMA
– IRREVERSIBLE CARDIAC ARREST
In a patient suffering from:
– Previous episode of acute respiratory failure in bilateral multimicrobial pneumonia
– Multiple bronchiectasis
– Arterial hypertension
– Type II diabetes
Death was confirmed by electrocardiographic recording.
I declare that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the causes of death are those indicated above.
The Director of the Health and Hygiene Department
of the Vatican City State
Prof. Andrea Arcangeli
