How the Final Hours of Pope Francis Unfolded — Vatican Medical Report

The Vatican has officially confirmed that Pope Francis died from a stroke that led to a coma and irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse. The announcement was made Monday evening through a medical report released by the Holy See Press Office.

Dr. Andrea Arcangeli, Director of the Directorate of Health and Hygiene of the Vatican City State, signed the death certificate and confirmed the diagnosis based on electrocardiographic thanatography—a medical process used to determine death.

The report also revealed that Pope Francis had pre-existing health conditions, including a history of acute respiratory failure due to multimicrobial bilateral pneumonia, multiple bronchiectases, high blood pressure, and Type II diabetes.

“I hereby declare,” wrote Dr. Arcangeli in the statement, “that the causes of death, to the best of my knowledge and judgment, are as stated above.”

The confirmation brings clarity to the sudden passing of the 88-year-old pontiff, who died on Easter Monday at his Vatican residence, the Casa Santa Marta. His death has plunged the Catholic Church into mourning and set in motion the process of selecting his successor.