Pope Francis passed away Monday morning due to a stroke that left him in a coma and caused irreversible heart failure, according to information released by the Vatican.
The death was confirmed on Monday by Dr. Andrea Arcangeli, director of the Vatican’s health department.
In a statement, Arcangeli pointed out that Francisco also suffered from episodes of respiratory failure and bilateral pneumonia, as well as type 2 diabetes and hypertension. The pontiff passed away on Monday at 7:35 am local time.
Francisco, who suffered from a chronic lung disease and had part of a lung removed in his youth, was admitted to Gemelli Hospital on February 14, 2025 for a respiratory crisis that resulted in bilateral pneumonia. He spent 38 days hospitalized, the longest hospital stay of his 12-year papacy.
Prayers in St. Peter’s Square
At sunset in St. Peter’s Square, the Vatican began the recitation of the Rosary for Francis, who passed away one day after giving his Easter Sunday blessing.
Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica, led the Vatican’s first public commemoration following the pope’s death.
The first reading was given by Sister Raffaella Petrini, president of the Vatican City State and one of the highest-ranking women in the institution, whose appointment was a demonstration of her insistence that women hold more prominent and decision-making positions.
What are the funeral rites after the death of the pope?
Tonight in the Vatican, a series of rituals related to the death of the pontiff of the Catholic Church began.
The first one, presided over by the Camerlengo Kevin Farrell, is the ceremony to formally recognize the death of the pope in the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta, during which the body of Francis will be placed in a wooden and zinc coffin, and Farrell will sprinkle the body with holy water. It is called the “first station”.
In addition to the camerlengo, the dean of the College of Cardinals, Giovanni Battista Re, the master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations, Diego Ravelli, the director of the Health and Hygiene Department of the Vatican City State, Andrea Arcangeli, and people close to the pope will be present.
Farrell will draft the official death certificate and then Ravelli will decide when access will be allowed for those who wish to pray for the deceased pontiff.