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Pope Francis passed away. The Vatican announced it in the morning of April 21, 2025. As per Ladailypost, he had passed away at 7:35 a.m. local time in a flat inside Domus Sanctae Marthae (Casa Santa Marta), Vatican City, due to complications of a cerebral stroke. The pontiff, as per the official death certificate released by the Vatican, stated that the pontiff developed a coma resulting in irreversible cardiovascular collapse.
The announcement was made only hours after he had ventured out in public on Easter Sunday services on April 20, 2025. After his public appearance the day before, his death on Easter Monday came as a shock to most people.
According to Roya News, even though he had long-term health issues, such as recent pneumonia and hospitalization due to respiratory collapse, his final public appearance suggested relative stability. His condition, however, deteriorated overnight, and he received emergency medical treatment that was too late.
Time, place, and official cause of death of Pope Francis
Pope Francis passed away at 7:35 a.m. on Monday, April 21, 2025, in his personal Vatican City apartment.
According to Ladaily post, Catholic Register.org and EFE Noticias, the formal Vatican announcement assigned the cause of death to:
Cerebral stroke
Coma
Irreversible cardiovascular collapse
These are the terms employed to explain a fatal neurological incident that caused loss of consciousness and eventually heart failure. Though cardiac arrest is the terminal event in all deaths, the Vatican explained that the stroke and coma were the immediate medical events that caused the collapse.
Confirmation and early vatican procedures
Pope's death was verified by Camerlengo Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who has a mandate to oversee procedures for papal succession. As per Vatican protocols, Camerlengo performed an orthodox confirmation of death, which involved:
Formal certification by a physician
Symbolic sealing of papal apartments
Notification of the College of Cardinals
Opening of the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis, official funeral rites
These steps constitute the formal conclusion of a papacy and the commencement of the interregnum, the period between two popes.
Medical history and present health fight
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, had been afflicted by many diseases during his lifetime. As per Roya News and Wanted in Rome, his health had progressively weakened in recent years:
Due to an infection, a portion of his lung was removed in his early adulthood.
He had chronic bronchitis, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure.
He was hospitalized in early 2025 with double pneumonia and had two episodes of acute respiratory failure.
He relied on a wheelchair and a cane later in life because of knee and mobility problems.
He was active despite these disabilities and attended important liturgical events, including his last public outing on Easter Sunday, April 20, at St. Peter's Square.
Funeral plans and pre-arranged burial plans
According to NBC and Axios, the Vatican announced that Pope Francis' body will be transferred to St. Peter's Basilica on April 23, 2025, and will rest in public view in state there. The date of the funeral is probably April 25 to April 27, but it is not yet officially set.
According to his desire:
He will be entombed at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, instead of St. Peter's Basilica.
He asked for a simple wooden coffin and an unostentatious funeral ceremony, in accordance with his lesson of humility and austerity.
A final private funeral attended by high-ranking Vatican dignitaries will be followed by a public liturgy.
Vatican lamentation and conclave tradition
The Church entered into the traditional nine-day period of mourning, Novendiale, wherein:
In the Pope's honor, the Daily Mass is celebrated.
Half-mast flags are flown over the Vatican.
No important decisions and appointments are taken by Church leaders.
A new pope is to be elected by the College of Cardinals during a conclave in 15-20 days. The Sistine Chapel must host the conclave, and cardinals who cast ballots must be younger than 80. A two-thirds vote of the cardinals present and voting is needed.
The legacy of Pope Francis
Pope Francis served as the Catholic Church's 266th pope from March 13, 2013, until his death on April 21, 2025. His papacy will be remembered as:
As the first Jesuit pope
First from the Americas, and first non-European pope in more than 1,200 years
As defender of the poor, immigrants, and climate change
For the defense of interfaith dialogue and the openness of church government
Initiating reforms of the Vatican's financial and administrative structures
He was generally perceived as a reformer, with tradition balanced by a contemporary focus on justice, mercy, and humility.
Following the funeral and burial, the focus will turn to voting for Pope Francis's replacement. Until he or she is elected, administrative duties will vest with the Camerlengo. Preparatory matters, including spiritual preparation and consultation culminating in the conclave, will be handled by the College of Cardinals.
The global Catholic community is united in sorrow, reflection, and anticipation as the Church anticipates the election of a new shepherd.
Also read: When did Pope Francis become the pope? All about the first Latin-American Pope to head the Vatican
Angelina Jolie to Chris Rock, celebrities who have praised Pope Francis over the years
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