Pope Francis Passes Away Following Health Complications: A Look at His Final Days and Wishes
Pope Francis has passed away at the age of 88, succumbing to a stroke that caused a coma and irreversible heart failure, as confirmed by his death certificate released by the Vatican on April 21, 2025. The pontiff, who had a history of chronic lung disease and had undergone surgery to remove part of a lung in his youth, was hospitalized for a respiratory crisis on February 14, 2025, which progressed into double pneumonia. This hospitalization marked the longest of his 12-year papacy, enduring a challenging 38 days before his passing at 7:35 AM in his Vatican residence at Santa Marta.
The death certificate noted that Pope Francis died due to cerebral stroke and irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse. Furthermore, it revealed that he had been previously affected by acute respiratory failure and endured other health issues such as arterial hypertension, multiple bronchiectasis, and Type 2 diabetes, conditions that had not been publicly disclosed prior until now. Professor Andrea Arcangeli, the director of health for the Vatican City State, signed the vital document.
His last public appearance took place on Easter Sunday, just a day before his death, where he blessed the thousands gathered in St. Peter's Square, garnering cheers and applause from his faithful audience. Prior to this event, he had met with US Vice President JD Vance, illustrating his ongoing engagement with both religious and global leaders up until his final moments.
In a poignant final wish, Pope Francis requested to be buried in a simple, unadorned tomb located in Santa Maria Maggiore, a cherished Roman basilica. His request was outlined in a will dated June 29, 2022, published alongside the death certificate. Expressing a sense of preparedness for the end of his earthly journey, he stated, "Feeling that the sunset of my earthly life is approaching and with lively hope in Eternal Life, I wish to express my testamentary will regarding the place of my burial."
The specified burial site is carefully described in his will, including a diagram indicating the preferred location within the basilica, ensuring the simplicity of his final resting place. His instructions were clear: the tomb must be in the earth, devoid of elaborate decorations, featuring merely the inscription 'Franciscus.' Furthermore, he had taken the initiative to arrange the burial expenses in advance.
As he concluded his will, the spiritual leader conveyed his heartfelt desires, asking for the Lord to reward those who loved and prayed for him, while also expressing that he had offered his suffering during the final phase of his life to God for world peace and the unity of humanity. Pope Francis's legacy is bound to resonate deeply within the Catholic Church and beyond, reflecting his commitment to compassion, simplicity, and global fraternity.
Related Sources: