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By Alia Shoaib
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Pope Francis died officially due to cerebral stroke, coma and irreversible cardiac arrest, the Vatican has said in a statement.
The Context
Pope Francis' health had been a growing concern for years, and his passing signals the end of a papacy marked by major reforms and global influence.
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Though Francis' death followed a series of respiratory complications, including bilateral pneumonia and bronchial infections earlier this year, his medical team concluded that the fatal event was neurological. The confirmation of a stroke, possibly hemorrhagic, aligns with long-standing concerns about his declining physical condition and the toll of multiple chronic ailments.
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What To Know
Francis had a well-documented history of respiratory vulnerabilities. In February, he was admitted to Gemelli Hospital after experiencing severe bronchitis and a polymicrobial lung infection, which required high-flow oxygen and transfusions. He remained hospitalized for 38 days and was discharged in late March, though he never fully resumed his previous schedule of public engagements.
Medical records also indicate a life of significant health challenges: as a 21-year-old seminarian, Jorge Mario Bergoglio had a portion of his right lung removed due to a severe infection. In later years, he underwent surgeries for diverticulitis, abdominal hernias, and gallbladder removal.
The pontiff had resisted treatment for ongoing joint pain in his knee and had largely ceased walking in the last two years, relying instead on a wheelchair for mobility.
What People Are Saying
Pope Francis died of a stroke and subsequent irreversible heart failure, the Vatican said in a statement.
What's Next
The Vatican is expected to release more detailed funeral arrangements in the coming days. Meanwhile, the College of Cardinals will begin the process of convening a conclave to elect the next pope.
Francis' death marks the beginning of the sede vacante, the period during which the papal seat is vacant. The cardinals will gather in Rome to deliberate on a successor who will inherit a Church transformed by Francis' papacy—and now challenged to define its next era.
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