The death of Pope Francis, the 266th head of the Roman Catholic Church, has been confirmed to have been caused by a stroke.

According to Dr Andrea Arcangeli, Director of the Directorate of Health and Hygiene of Vatican City State, the Pope suffered a stroke that led to a coma and irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse.

As published by Vatican News, the official news portal of the Vatican, the Pope’s medical report indicates a “prior history of acute respiratory failure caused by multimicrobial bilateral pneumonia, multiple bronchiectases, high blood pressure, and Type II diabetes.”

The announcement of the Pope’s cause of death follows the rite of confirmation of death and the placement of Pope Francis’ body in the coffin, which took place in the evening of Monday, April 21, 2025, in the chapel of the Domus Sanctæ Marthæ.

The ceremony was led by the Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, Cardinal Kevin Farrell.

Also present at the ceremony were the Dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, family members of the late Pope Francis, and Dr Andrea Arcangeli and Dr Luigi Carbone, the Director and Deputy Director of the Directorate of Health and Hygiene, respectively.

Pope Francis passed away on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88, at his residence in the Vatican’s Domus Sanctæ Marthæ.

Known as Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, he was elected to lead the Catholic Church in March 2013, following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI.

“Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow, I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis,” Cardinal Farrell announced.