In a revelation confirming the worst fears of his followers worldwide, Pope Francis died at the age of 88 from a cerebral stroke followed by heart failure.
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Early in the morning on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, the Vatican made the announcement, sending waves of grief throughout the global Catholic community.
The pope’s passing brings an era marked by humility, a focus on poverty, and a drive to reform the Vatican to a close.
The pontiff’s last moments were spent in his apartment at Casa Santa Marta, the scene of a sudden medical episode.
His death was confirmed through an ECG test, affirming the massive stroke that had led to irreversible heart failure.
Dr. Andrea Arcangeli, head of the Vatican’s health department, provided the official confirmation through a death certificate as his body was transferred to a coffin, which will later be moved to St. Peter’s Basilica to allow the public to pay their respects.
Pope Francis had battled severe health issues throughout his life, including pneumonia, bronchiectasis, arterial hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and a history of chronic lung disease.
He spent over a month hospitalized recently due to a respiratory illness that developed into double pneumonia.
These ailments undoubtedly took a toll on the pope, aligning with the common narrative that progressive deterioration, often overlooked by mainstream media, signifies an era that valued simplicity and advocated for the common man in a world that frequently antagonizes them.
Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni shared, “I had the privilege of enjoying his friendship, his advice and his teachings, which never failed even in moments of trial and suffering.”
The world must now navigate the absence of a pope who called on the church and its followers to resist excessive material pleasures and embraced a simplified lifestyle.
Francis himself opted for a simple, unadorned tomb at Santa Maria Maggiore Church in Rome.
He defied tradition by simplifying papal funeral rites, foregoing the usual burial in the grottoes beneath St. Peter’s Basilica.
The process to select the new pope is filled with potential contenders such as Matteo Zuppi, Pietro Parolin, and Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, each known for different emphases in church doctrine.
Cardinals will convene into a conclave within 20 days to make this significant decision.
Until then, world leaders, including Donald Trump and others, have expressed their condolences, illustrating the late pope’s immense influence.
Pope Francis left behind a legacy of progressive stances on numerous social issues.
A vocal advocate for the poor, he criticized the extravagance within the Vatican.
His approach to addressing clerical sexual abuse and promoting a compassionate stance on refugees reshaped much of the modern Church, although it sparked controversy among more conservative factions.
His leadership also urged the youth to reject materialism and the increasing dependence on technology.
The conclave’s impending decisions could shape whether these directions endure or pivot under new guidance.
In the meantime, Catholics worldwide must brace for both the loss of a cherished leader and the eventual dawn of fresh leadership.
Pope Francis’ cause of death has been revealed as a stroke which lead to a coma followed by heart failure. pic.twitter.com/BFWce8yU9v
— Pop Base (@PopBase) April 21, 2025
