Pope Francis died from stroke and heart failure, Vatican says

Pope Francis died from a cerebral stroke that led to a coma and irreversible heart failure, the Vatican has said.

The update comes around 12 hours after the Pope’s death was announced.

A death certificate released for the 88-year-old pontiff said he had fallen into a coma before his death early on Monday.

The Vatican said the Pope had asked to be buried “in the ground, without particular decoration” but with the inscription “Franciscus”.

In his final testament, Francis said he wished to be buried in Rome’s Basilica of Saint Mary Major, rather than at St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, where many previous pontiffs have been laid to rest.

Follow latest: World leaders pay tribute to Pope Francis

Pope Francis had suffered from a chronic lung disease and had part of a lung removed as a young man.

Health issues plagued him throughout his later life, and he was admitted to Gemelli hospital in Rome on 14 February for a respiratory crisis that developed into double pneumonia.

This led to a 38-day stay in hospital, the longest of his 12-year papacy.

But the leader of the world’s Roman Catholics emerged on Easter Sunday, a day before his death, to bless thousands in St Peter’s Square.

Before the public appearance, the Pope “exchanged good wishes” with US vice president JD Vance during a private audience at the Vatican.

Bells tolled in church towers across Rome after the announcement of his death.

Francis, the first Latin American pontiff, charmed the world with his humble style and concern for the poor, but alienated conservatives with critiques of capitalism and climate change.

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The King, who, with Queen Camilla, met Francis earlier this month, described him as someone who had “profoundly touched the lives of so many”.

Charles said he and Camilla were “most deeply saddened” to learn of the Pope’s death and “were greatly moved to have been able to visit him” so recently.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said Francis had been “a Pope for the poor, the downtrodden and the forgotten”.

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