Pope Francis newest: Catholic chief died of a stroke and irreversible coronary heart failure, Vatican confirms

Pope Francis dies aged 88 after double pneumonia battle

Pope Francis died following a cerebral stroke that led to a coma and irreversible heart failure, the Vatican has said.

In his final testament, the pope expressed his wish to be buried at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome, and not at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, unlike many previous pontiffs.

The will specified that Francis wanted to be buried “in the ground, without particular decoration” but with the inscription of his papal name in Latin: Franciscus.

King Charles and US president Donald Trump led the tributes for the 88-year-old, who was the head of the Catholic church for 12 years.

Cardinal Kevin Ferrell, the Vatican camerlengo, announced his death in a statement on Monday morning: “At 7.35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father.”

Francis was hospitalised for several weeks in February, after suffering from a bout of double pneumonia. He returned to the Vatican in mid-March to recover.

Pope Francis, originally from Argentina and the first pope from Latin America, led the 1.4 billion-member church since 2013.

Video obituary | Pope Francis dies aged 88 after double pneumonia battle

Pope Francis dies aged 88 after double pneumonia battle
Jabed Ahmed22 April 2025 00:01

What is “sede vacante”? The period between popes

Following the pope’s death, the Catholic Church has now entered a period called “sede vacante”, or “empty seat”, during which there is no Pope sitting on the throne of St Peter.

During this transition period, one cardinal takes charge – the Camerlengo, or chamberlain.

Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Camerlengo, announced the pope’s death early this morning.

As camerlengo, he will have stood over the papal body this morning and ceremoniously called the pope’s baptismal name three times.

When there is no response to the calls, the pope is officially pronounced dead, according to tradition.

After this, the death certificate is written and the papal apartments are sealed by the Camerlengo.

The Camerlengo then takes possession of the pope’s signet ring, which is broken apart with shears to prevent them from being used by anyone else.

During this time, the Camerlengo will oversee the Holy See’s financial and administrative duties until a new pope takes over.

Jabed Ahmed21 April 2025 23:39

Pictured | Rosary for Francis in St. Peter’s Square

(REUTERS)
(REUTERS)
Jabed Ahmed21 April 2025 23:18

Full obituary | Pope Francis: The first Latin American and Jesuit to lead the Roman Catholic Church

Jabed Ahmed21 April 2025 22:57

Eiffel Tower goes dark in a tribute to Pope Francis

With clouds descending over the last glimmer of the setting sun, the Paris monument extinguished its sparkling lights for a moment of memory.

Bells tolled across predominantly Catholic France when the pope’s death was announced, including at the recently restored Notre Dame Cathedral. Grieving Catholic believers and tourists paid respects as the cathedral held special Easter Monday services.

Notre Dame rector Olivier Ribadeau Dumas recalled how Francis was “the pope of the poor. He is the one who invited us to live the Gospel in its radical form.”

(EPA)
Jabed Ahmed21 April 2025 22:41

What is a Conclave? Process to select a Pope explained after Francis death

Jabed Ahmed21 April 2025 22:31

South Sudan recalls ‘a profound act of humility’

The South Sudan Council of Churches has said it remembers with gratitude Francis’ visit to the country and his “dedicated efforts to promote healing and unity among our leaders.”

The pope once famously knelt and kissed the feet of rivals President Salva Kiir and deputy Riek Machar, which the council called “a profound act of humility.”

Jabed Ahmed21 April 2025 22:09

Pope Francis’s will in full: Pontiff’s final wishes and place of burial

Jabed Ahmed21 April 2025 22:06

The pope’s apartment is sealed with a red ribbon and wax

Closing up the pope’s formal apartment at the Apostolic Palace is a key part of Catholic tradition declaring a “sede vacante” or vacant see — the period between the death of one pope and the election of another.

Officials draped a red ribbon through the door handles on Monday afternoon, then poured liquid wax on the bow and impressed Francis’ papal seal on the wax to hold the knot.

As Catholic leaders sealed his formal apartment, it wasn’t immediately clear if they also closed off Francis’ other apartment in the Domus Santa Marta.

Following his 2013 election, Francis chose to live there rather than the Apostolic Palace, taking up residence in a two-room suite on the second floor.

The hotel is for visiting priests and guests, as well as a residence for some priests who work at the Vatican.

Jabed Ahmed21 April 2025 21:49

CAFOD: Pope Francis leaves a ‘huge moral and spiritual void’

Christine Allen, Director and CEO of CAFOD (Catholic Agency For Overseas Development), has paid tribute to the pope’s legacy as a unifying and influential figure on the global stage.

“Pope Francis’s greatest gift was that in an increasingly divided world, he could get people and governments to think beyond their own self-interest, and work together for the common good,” she said, highlighting the impact of his environmental encyclical Laudato Si’, which “more than one world leader credited… as having paved the way for the Paris climate agreement in 2015.”

“Ultimately Pope Francis had a knack for saying things that people didn’t necessarily want to hear – but doing so in a way that they still felt able to listen,” she said, pointing to his historic address to the US Congress, where he was met with “rapturous applause from both sides of the aisle.”

“Despite his massive influence on the world’s political stage, Francis was very much a Pope in the world and amongst the people,” she added, recalling his engagement with indigenous communities in the Amazon and his dramatic plea for peace in South Sudan, when he “kissed the feet of warring rivals.”

Reflecting on her personal encounters with him, Ms Allen said, “I met Pope Francis at meetings of the global Catholic charity network Caritas, and his warmth, passion and desire for a more just and equal world were evident. He challenged all of us, but he did it with love. A true disciple who will be sorely missed.”

Jabed Ahmed21 April 2025 21:21

Source: independent.co.uk