Italian media have reported that Pope Francis likely died from a cerebral haemorrhage—believed to be a stroke—according to sources cited by La Repubblica and La Stampa. The condition is said to be unrelated to the respiratory issues and pneumonia he battled earlier this year.
The Vatican officially announced the Pope’s passing on Easter Monday at the age of 88, noting that he died peacefully after a lifetime devoted to serving God and the Church.
Just days before his death, the Pontiff had expressed that he was “living it as best” as he could, despite his declining health. Though increasingly frail and suffering from reduced mobility, Pope Francis had maintained a rigorous schedule until recent weeks. In September 2024, he completed a 12-day apostolic journey to Southeast Asia and Oceania, visiting Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and Singapore.
Following a severe respiratory crisis in February that developed into double pneumonia, the Pope spent 38 days at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital—the longest hospital stay of his 12-year papacy. Doctors revealed that during this period, he experienced two critical health episodes that put his life at risk. Upon his discharge in March, they recommended at least two months of rest.
Nevertheless, the Pope resisted being confined, often making surprise appearances at Mass and in St Peter’s Basilica, encouraging hope among the faithful. In the final week of his life, he was seen in public twice without the nasal cannula he had used for oxygen support.
Pope Francis, who had lived with chronic lung disease since his youth—when a portion of one lung was removed—gave his final public blessing on Easter Sunday, addressing thousands gathered in St Peter’s Square.
His passing marks the end of a deeply transformative papacy, characterized by humility, advocacy for the poor, and a relentless call for compassion and unity across faiths and nations.
