Pope Francis' cause of death has been confirmed by Professor Andrea Arcangeli, Director of the Directorate of Health and Hygiene of Vatican City State.
"I hereby certify that His Holiness Francis (Jorge Mario Bergoglio) born in Buenos Aires (Argentina) on December 17, 1936, resident in Vatican City, Vatican citizen, died at 7:35 a.m. on 21/04/2025 in his apartment at the Domus Sanctae Marthae," Arcangeli said, according to the Holy See press office.
Pope Francis died from "stroke," "coma," and "irreversible cardiovascular collapse," Arcangeli said.
She noted that he had a "previous episode of acute respiratory failure in the context of bilateral multimicrobial pneumonia," "multiple bronchiectasis," "arterial hypertension," and "type II diabetes."
Ascertainment of death was by electrocardio-anatomical recording, Arcangeli added.
Pope Francis will be buried in the Basilica of St. Mary Major in the Pauline Chapel, which houses the ancient icon of Maria Salus Populi Romani, as he requested in his Spiritual Testament.
The Holy See Press Office announced that Dr. Andrea Arcangeli, the Director of the… pic.twitter.com/LqXEHgqzhj
— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) April 21, 2025
Pope Francis' death
On Monday morning, Dublin-born Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, said that he announced the Pope's death with "deep sorrow."
"At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father," Farrell said.
"His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of His Church. He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially in favor of the poorest and most marginalized.
"With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the One and Triune God."
On Monday evening, Farrell is due to preside over the rite of the ascertainment of death of Pope Francis and the placement of his body in the coffin in the Chapel of the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta.
Pope Francis in September 2021. (Getty Images)
Pope Francis' spiritual testament
Elsewhere on Monday, Pope Francis' spiritual testament, in which he gives his indications for his burial, was published.
"As I sense the approaching twilight of my earthly life, and with firm hope in eternal life, I wish to set out my final wishes solely regarding the place of my burial," the Pope wrote in his spiritual testament in June 2022.
"Throughout my life, and during my ministry as a priest and bishop, I have always entrusted myself to the Mother of Our Lord, the Blessed Virgin Mary. For this reason, I ask that my mortal remains rest - awaiting the day of the Resurrection - in the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major.
"I wish my final earthly journey to end precisely in this ancient Marian sanctuary, where I would always stop to pray at the beginning and end of every Apostolic Journey, confidently entrusting my intentions to the Immaculate Mother, and giving thanks for her gentle and maternal care.
"I ask that my tomb be prepared in the burial niche in the side aisle between the Pauline Chapel (Chapel of the Salus Populi Romani) and the Sforza Chapel of the Basilica, as shown in the attached plan.
"The tomb should be in the ground; simple, without particular ornamentation, bearing only the inscription: Franciscus.
"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.
"May the Lord grant a fitting reward to all those who have loved me and who continue to pray for me. The suffering that has marked the final part of my life, I offer to the Lord, for peace in the world and for fraternity among peoples."
Comments