By JKNewsMedia
POPE FRANCIS died on Monday morning from a cerebral stroke and irreversible heart failure, hours after blessing pilgrims from the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica. He was 88.
The Vatican issued his death certificate shortly after announcing his passing. It confirmed that the pontiff fell into a coma following the stroke and succumbed to cardiac arrest at 7:35 a.m. local time in his Santa Marta residence.
Despite his frailty, Francis made a rare public appearance on Easter Sunday, waving to thousands gathered in the square beneath the Apostolic Palace.
It was his first prolonged outing since being discharged from a 38-day hospital stay for bilateral pneumonia in March.
The Pope, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, had suffered from multiple health issues in recent years, including high blood pressure, diabetes, and chronic lung disease.
He had part of one lung removed as a young man and was most recently hospitalised with severe pneumonia that nearly proved fatal.
The Vatican’s chief medical officer, Professor Andrea Arcangeli, signed the death certificate, which noted multiple underlying conditions alongside the cerebral event and described the cardiovascular collapse as “irreversible.”
Francis, the first Latin American pope and a former archbishop of Buenos Aires, had led the Roman Catholic Church since 2013.
His papacy was marked by attempts to reform entrenched Vatican institutions, champion the poor, and confront abuse scandals that had rocked the Church globally.
Public grief followed swiftly. Vatican Square filled with mourners, candles, and handwritten tributes by midday. In Argentina, his homeland, seven days of national mourning were declared.
Brazil followed suit. U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed plans to attend the funeral, which is expected later this week. Dozens of world leaders are anticipated in Rome.
Jorge García Cuerva, the archbishop of Buenos Aires, reflected on his legacy: “The pope of the poor has left us, the pope of the marginalised.”
Though visibly weakened in recent months, Francis remained active until his final day.
After greeting the faithful from the popemobile on Easter morning, he returned to his residence, where his health quickly deteriorated overnight.
Cardinals will meet on Tuesday to begin preparations for the funeral rites.
The Vatican announced that Francis’ coffin may be transferred to St Peter’s Basilica by Wednesday to allow public viewing and veneration.
His sudden death shocked even those close to the Vatican.
“He brought people closer to the Church,” said Emanuela Tinari, a pilgrim from Rome. “He was not appreciated by all, but he certainly was by the ordinary people.”
The Vatican has not yet announced the date of the conclave to elect his successor.
