Pope Francis Dies of Stroke: What It Means and How It Happens

Pope Francis dies of stroke.

What is it, and how can it happen?

Here are the details.

Pope Francis passed away in the early hours of Monday at the age of 88 due to a stroke, as officially confirmed by the Vatican.

The Argentine pontiff, who led the Catholic Church for 12 years, died at 7:35 a.m. (local time) in his residence at Casa Santa Marta.

The news was confirmed by Vatican News, citing the death certificate signed by Professor Andrea Arcangeli, director of Health and Hygiene for the Vatican City State.

According to the document, the cause of death of Pope Francis was a cerebrovascular accident (stroke), followed by coma and irreversible cardiovascular collapse.

What is a stroke?

What is a stroke like the one Pope Francis suffered? https://t.co/3qbiemqfln pic.twitter.com/zphwuziqru

— La República EC (@larepublica_ec)) April 21, 2025

According to the Mayo Clinic, a stroke is a medical emergency that occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted. There are two main types:

Ischemic stroke: Caused by the blockage of an artery, which prevents the brain from receiving oxygen and nutrients. Neurons begin to die within minutes.

Hemorrhagic stroke: Occurs when a blood vessel ruptures, causing bleeding that increases pressure in the brain and damages brain tissue.

In both cases, immediate medical attention is critical to minimize damage and prevent fatal outcomes.

Pope Francis dies of stroke

Pope Francis died of a stroke (Vatican) #AFP pic.twitter.com/sedmjqtvon

— Agence France-Presse (@AFPespanol) April 21, 2025

Pope Francis was last seen in public during Easter Sunday celebrations, the day before his death.

Despite his visibly deteriorated condition, he appeared on the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to deliver the Urbi et Orbi blessing and greeted the faithful from the popemobile.

Francis had been hospitalized for 38 days due to bilateral pneumonia and was discharged on March 23.

Although he resumed some activities, his public appearances declined significantly in the weeks that followed.

Pope Francis: A pontiff who defined an era

Pope Francis Dies of Stroke: What It Means and How It Happens – Photo: Shutterstock

Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, he was elected Pope on March 13, 2013, following the resignation of Benedict XVI.

He became the first Latin American pope and the first Jesuit to assume the papacy. His tenure was marked by a pastoral approach focused on inclusion, social justice, and attention to the most vulnerable.

Francis will be remembered for his closeness to the faithful, his firm condemnation of abuse within the Church, and his openness to sensitive issues such as welcoming the LGBT community and reforming ecclesiastical structures.

Religious and political leaders around the world have expressed their condolences. Among them was U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who wrote on social media:

“I was glad to see him yesterday, even though he was clearly ill. I’ll always remember the homily he gave in the early days of COVID. It was truly beautiful.”

The death of Pope Francis leaves a profound mark on the recent history of Catholicism and raises questions about the future of the Vatican at a critical moment for the Church.

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