Pope Francis’ cause of death has been determined.
According to the Vatican, Pope Francis died on Monday, April 21, at 7:35 a.m. local time due to a cerebral stroke that led to a coma and irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse.
The pontiff was also affected by a “previous episode of acute respiratory failure in bilateral multimicrobial pneumonia, multiple bronchiectasis, arterial hypertension and type II diabetes.”
Over the years, Francis had battled a number of health issues and died Monday, nearly one month after he was discharged from the hospital.
The 88-year-old had been hospitalized for 38 days, where he was treated for double pneumonia.
Hours before his death, Francis — head of the Catholic Church for 12 years — delivered his yearly blessing for Easter as well as an address through Cardinal Angelo Comastri, who led Mass at Saint Peter’s Square.
He also met with Vice President J.D. Vance on Sunday morning and surprised worshippers when he toured through the gathered public at St. Peter’s Basilica.
In a statement released by the Vatican following his death, Cardinal Kevin Farrell said that the pontiff’s “entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and His Church.”
“He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage and universal love, especially in favour of the poorest and most marginalised,” Farrell continued.
“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,” he added.
Francis made his first public appearance on March 23 after his hospitalization. He appeared on the hospital’s balcony to address the gathered crowd before being driven back to the Vatican.
Dr. Sergio Alfieri, who coordinated Francis’ medical team, said at the time that he would require at least two months of rest, rehabilitation and convalescence. He was advised to avoid meeting in groups, the Associated Press reported.
He was initially admitted for bronchitis and “diagnostic tests,” the Vatican shared in a Feb. 14 news release.
While hospitalized at the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital in Rome, the pope developed double pneumonia and his condition worsened over the next several weeks, although there were a number of days when the Vatican reported slight improvements.
