Pope Francis dies at 88 after stroke

Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, passed away at 88 on April 21, 2025, in Vatican City due to a stroke, followed by a coma and irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse.

The Vatican released photos of the late Pope in an open casket during the rite of the declaration of death in the Santa Marta residence.

His death certificate, issued by Dr. Andrea Arcangeli, Director of the Directorate of Health and Hygiene of the Vatican City State, cites his prior history of acute respiratory failure caused by multimicrobial bilateral pneumonia, multiple bronchiectases, high blood pressure, and Type II diabetes.

His final public appearance was on Easter Sunday, where he looked visibly drained, and he had recently been discharged from hospital after a five-week stay for double pneumonia.

Pope Francis will be buried in the Basilica of St. Mary Major in the Pauline Chapel, as requested in his Spiritual Testament, in a simple, unadorned tomb.