The head of the Vatican’s health department said Francis slipped into a coma before suffering “irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse”
Pope Francis died of a cerebral stroke and heart failure, the head of the Vatican’s health department, Dr. Andrea Arcangeli, confirmed Monday, April 21.
Francis, who was 88, suffered a stroke and slipped into a coma before suffering an “irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse.” Arcangeli also noted some of the pope’s longstanding health issues, including high blood pressure, Type II diabetes, and a history of acute respiratory failure.
Francis had struggled with respiratory issues throughout his life. As a young man, a life-threatening battle with pneumonia led to the partial removal of one of his longs, which left him particularly susceptible to flu and bronchitis.
Back in February, Francis spent five weeks in the hospital after being diagnosed with double pneumonia. His condition quickly worsened after an “asthmatic respiratory crisis,” and it wasn’t until late March that his condition was stable enough for him to leave the hospital.
Pope Francis made his final public appearance on Easter Sunday, a day before his death. He appeared in St. Peter’s Square to bless thousands of onlookers, and also met briefly with Vice President J.D. Vance. In some of his final addresses, Francis called for mercy for migrants, as well as peace, advocating for a ceasefire in Gaza and a solution to the conflict in Yemen.
“On this day, I would like all of us to hope anew and to revive our trust in others, including those who are different than ourselves, or who come from distant lands, bringing unfamiliar customs, ways of life and ideas,” Francis said in his Easter blessing. “For all of us are children of God!”