In a tragic end to Pope Francis’s profound but controversial papacy, the Vatican has revealed that the 88-year-old pontiff succumbed to a cerebral stroke followed by heart failure.
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As the Vatican navigates his funeral rites, his choice of a simpler burial stands out against the traditional backdrop.
The Church faces the task of selecting a new pope amid Francis’ legacy of humility and outspoken views that often stirred debate.
Pope Francis died after suffering a cerebral stroke on Easter Monday.
The stroke resulted in a coma and led to irreversible heart failure, according to Dr. Andrea Arcangeli, head of the Vatican’s health department.
Announced on April 21, 2025, this news left the Catholic community pondering the void left by a pontiff known for his different approach.
Francis passed away in his apartment at Casa Santa Marta, confirmed by an ECG test.
Pope Francis’ health had been declining, with multiple pre-existing conditions, including chronic lung disease, type 2 diabetes, and severe pneumonia.
Notably, he had part of a lung removed in his youth.
Recently hospitalized for over a month due to a respiratory illness that turned into double pneumonia, the pope’s struggles highlighted the burdens he carried even as he continued his work.
The papal funeral arrangements reflect Francis’ desire for simplicity—he requested a simple, unadorned tomb at Santa Maria Maggiore church in Rome.
Traditionally, popes are buried in the grottoes beneath St Peter’s Basilica. Yet, as reiterated by his actions throughout his tenure,
Francis often pivoted from the norm, critiquing extravagance within the Vatican.
Cardinals will determine the funeral’s date, which should occur between four and six days after his passing.
“The cost of preparing the burial will be covered by a sum provided by a benefactor, which I have arranged to be transferred to the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major. I have given the necessary instructions regarding this to Cardinal Rolandas Makrickas, Extraordinary Commissioner of the Liberian Basilica,” Pope Francis had stated, cited by The Guardian.
Francis’ tenure as pope was marked by his advocacy for the poor, criticism of excess, and his willingness to address issues like clerical sexual abuse.
He emphasized compassion for refugees and cautioned against misidentifying Islam with violence, often diverging from typical Vatican stances in his progressive social views while upholding traditional doctrine.
Potential successors to the papacy include figures like Matteo Zuppi, Pietro Parolin, and Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle.
The conclave’s decision will undoubtedly be shaped by Francis’ impactful, albeit contentious, legacy of reform.
VATICAN CITY—Official cause of death issued.
Pope Francis died of a stroke, followed by a coma and cardiovascular collapse (likely from his ongoing fight against pneumonia and other comorbidities).“REPORT OF DEATH OF HIS HOLINESS FRANCIS
I certify that His Holiness Francis… pic.twitter.com/TGoCFVjBnI— Bree A Dail (@breeadail) April 21, 2025
World leaders, including Donald Trump and Joe Biden, have extended condolences, acknowledging the pope’s influence and leadership.
The Vatican prepares to transfer his body to St Peter’s Basilica for public homage, where the faithful can express their final respects.
As the world reflects on his enduring impact, Pope Francis’ commitment to humility and dialogue continues to resonate globally, leaving a distinct and lasting mark on the Catholic Church.
