A possible cause of the Pope’s death has been revealed by Italian media.
Francis died due to a ‘cerebral hemorrhage’, possibly a stroke, which is said to be unrelated to the respiratory problems and pneumonia he suffered in February, outlets La Repubblica and La Stampa claim.
His doctors said that he ‘passed away peacefully’, according to reports.
The Pope died on Easter Monday aged 88 after dedicating his ‘entire life’ to serving God and the Church, the Vatican announced today.
Francis’s body will lie in state in St Peter’s Basilica for three days, and then he will be buried in the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome. His body could lie in state as soon as Wednesday, according to Matteo Bruni, director of the Vatican press office.
In a final act of devotion, Pope Francis greeted thousands of faithful in St Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday in what turned out to be his last appearance before his death.
Surprisingly, the Pope was not wearing a nasal cannula hooked up to oxygen when he was driven through the crowd of 35,000 faithful yesterday after wearing it during previous public appearances following his hospital release in late March.
For about 50 minutes, the pontiff’s vehicle slowly moved through the masses, but Italian media now speculate that doctors would have advised against him bathing in the crowd as he was likely immunocompromised following his pneumonia battle.
Earlier he had appeared on the Vatican balcony and told crowds, ‘Brothers and sisters, Happy Easter’, before an aide read the rest of his annual Urbi et Orbi blessing and speech, which called for an end to wars in Ukraine and Gaza.
Francis (pictured on Easter Sunday) died due to a ‘cerebral hemorrhage’, possibly a stroke, which is said to be unrelated to the respiratory problems and pneumonia he suffered in February, outlets La Repubblica and La Stampa claim
For about 50 minutes, the pontiff’s vehicle slowly moved through the masses, but Italian media now speculate that doctors would have advised against him bathing in the crowd as he was likely immunocompromised following his pneumonia battle
A worshipper cries during Mass at the Cathedral in Buenos Aires, Argentina, following the Vatican’s announcement of Pope Francis’ death on Easter Monday
The Pope was sitting in a wheelchair as he waved to the crowd from the main balcony of St Peter’s basilica while an aid delivered his Urbi et Orbi message
Just days before he told reporters he was ‘living it as best I can’ after he was plagued with health issues and reduced mobility caused in part by his advancing years and expanding waistline.
The pontiff had kept up a busy schedule until his final weeks. In September 2024, he carried out a 12-day tour across south-east Asia and Oceania that included visits to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Singapore.
When he was discharged from hospital last month, his doctors had said he would need at least two months of rest at his residence.
The pontiff had presented ‘two very critical episodes’ where his ‘life was in danger’ while in hospital, according to one of the doctors who took care of him.
But he appeared keen not to be confined to his rooms at the Casa Santa Maria.
The late figure made surprise appearances at the end of Masses and visits to St Peter’s Basilica, which gave faithful hope that his condition was improving.
In the last week of his life, he appeared in public twice without the nasal cannula through which he has been receiving oxygen.
Yesterday he met briefly with US Vice President JD Vance – a Catholic convert who was received into the church in 2019.
‘The meeting, which lasted a few minutes, gave the opportunity to exchange greetings on Easter Sunday’, the Vatican said.
Pope Francis stands on the main balcony of St. Peter’s basilica as part of Easter celebrations, at St Peter’s square in the Vatican on April 20, 2025, a day before his death
The 88-year-old pontiff delivered his ‘Urbi et Orbi’ benediction from a balcony overlooking the square following mass to mark the holiday
The pontiff appeared tired as he sat on the balcony overlooking the masses of faithful gathered on St Peter’s Square
Thousands of faithful gathered under hazy skies in the sprawling plaza decorated with brightly-coloured tulips yesterday, hoping to catch a glimpse of the pontiff on what turned out to be his last appearance before his death was announced today
Pope Francis is helped to drink water during the Urbi et Orbi Message to the World at the central Loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica, on April 20, 2025
Pope Francis spent his final day celebrating Easter Sunday with Catholic faithful in St Peter’s Square
Pope Francis greets a little girl during the Easter Mass in St. Peter’s Square a day before his death was announced by the Vatican
A woman reacts after the death of Pope Francis was announced by the Vatican
Pope Francis meets with US Vice President JD Vance and delegation during an audience at Casa Santa Marta on April 20, 2025 in Vatican City
Pope Francis meets with US Vice President JD Vance and delegation during an audience at Casa Santa Marta on April 20, 2025 in Vatican City
The Pope was hoped to be making a steady recovery from double pneumonia after his release from hospital last month before Cardinal Kevin Ferrell, the Vatican camerlengo, announced that he had died at 7.35am local time (5.35am GMT) today.
‘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 God, One and Tribune,’ he said in a statement.
Francis had only left hospital under ‘protected discharge’ on March 23 after suffering an infection that developed into pneumonia in both lungs earlier this year.
But he resolutely toured through the crowd of 35,000 believers ‘for 50 minutes at 21 degrees’ on Sunday after delivering the Urbi et Orbi benediction with help from an aide.
The Pontiff concluded the traditional address by wishing Catholics a ‘Happy Easter’ and calling for an end to conflicts around the world.
The Conclave – where cardinals gather in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican to choose a successor – will not happen for at least 15 days.
