Pope Francis Died From Cerebral Stroke, Says Vatican

Vatican: Pope Francis died from a cerebral stroke which pushed him into a coma and subsequently led to a irreversible heart failure, the Vatican said in a statement on Monday. Pope Francis was 88 when he died after batting a prolonged illness. He was recently discharged from hospital after being admitted for several weeks as he was being treated for Pneumonia and multi-organ complications.

Pope Francis was the first Latin American pontiff who strike a chord with the world with his humbleness and concerns for poor. Vatican said that Pope Francis went into a Coma which led to a subsequent heart attack after suffering a cerebral stroke.

Pope Francis was battling chronic and life threatening medical condition including lung disease. He was first admitted to hospital on February 14, 2025 after he developed respiratory complications due to double pneumonia.

The chief priest of Catholic church in Vatican remained admitted in the hospital for 38 days. Pope Francis last appeared before Public on Sunday during Easter blessing despite being chronically ill.

The Supreme Pontiff of the Vatican church was on Popemobile touring through a cheering crowd in St, Peter’s Square. The Vatican has so far not disclosed any date for performing the final rites and the name of his successor.

Vatican has also said that Pope had decreed that he will be buried in St. Mary Major Basilica in a simple underground tomb. Basilica is home to Francis’ favourite icon of Virgin Mary to whom he devoted himself.

Before Francis’, many chief pontiff have been buried at St. Peter Basilica in the Vatican. Francis’ desired that his final resting place should bear the inscription of his papel name in Latin which is Franciscus.

Who will succeed Pope Francis? 

As the Vatican is yet to announce the name of next Supreme priest of the catholic church in Vatican, let's take a look at his possible successors.

• Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 65.
• Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Philippines, 67.
• Cardinal Mario Grech, Malta, 67.
• Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, Italy, 69.
• Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican, 70.
• Cardinal Wim Eijk, Netherlands, 70.
• Cardinal Peter Erdo, Hungary, 72.
• Cardinal Raymond Burke, USA, 76.