Pope Francis The Vatican announced at the age of 88 and passed away on Monday, April 21, 2025 and Monday, April 21, 2025. His death occurred at 7:35am local time at his residence in Casa Santa Marta, Vatican. Kevin Farrell CardinalCamerlengo of the Apostles’ House, confirmed the news and said, “My beloved brothers and sisters, with deep sadness, I must announce the death of my holy father, Francis. This morning, at 7:35, the Bishop of Francis returned to his father’s house.”
Despite recent health challenges, including long-term hospitalizations for dual pneumonia earlier this year, Pope Francis has been active and active in his dual role. On Easter Sunday, a day before his death, he made a surprise appearance at St. Peter Square, blessing his followers and meeting with the Vice President of the United States jd vance At the Vatican.
Through his Pope, Francis-born Jorge Mario Bergolio had a lasting influence on the Catholic Church. He broke tradition by appointing women as full members of the Vatican Dicaster, showed greater openness to the LGBTQ+ community and took bold steps on climate action. Now, as the world laments his death, questions arise about the cause of his death and what comes next in the church.
Below, learn more about Pope Francis’ health, the circumstances surrounding his death, and what happens next in the Pope’s sequence.
Pope Francis’s health war
In mid-February 2025, Pope Francis was admitted to Gemeri Hospital in Rome, where he was initially treated for bronchitis. However, doctors quickly discovered more serious health complications, including multimicrobial respiratory infections, bilateral (double) pneumonia and renal failure.
On February 23, the Vatican confirmed that blood tests revealed signs of kidney failure. Despite his condition, Francis remained in communication and expressed his gratitude to the public. “I recently received a lot of love messages. I was particularly impressed with letters and drawings from my children,” he said in X.
By March 4, 2025, the Vatican reported that Francis was in a stable state after being given oxygen for two episodes of respiratory failure. Officials noted that his condition was stable but remained “complicated.”
This was not the first time the late Pope had suffered from respiratory problems. In 2023 he was hospitalized for bronchitis and since 2022 he has been reliant on a wheelchair following complications from his knee condition. Early in life, Francis had removed a portion of one lung, which contributed to ongoing respiratory vulnerability.
Despite these challenges, Pope Francis has remained immobilized in his role and has rejected speculation that he plans to step down in 2021 due to his age and health concerns.
How did Pope Francis die?
According to death certificates released by the Vatican, he died of a brain stroke, followed by a coma state and an irreversible cardiac disruption.
What happens when the Pope dies?
Once the Pope dies, the governance of the Catholic Church temporarily moves to Kamerlengo, the Cardinal of the Pharrell, which oversees the Vatican’s daily operations until a new Pope is elected. Farrell has no authority to make doctrinal changes, but he will manage the administrative functions of the Church and prepare for the upcoming Pope Conclave, where the next cardinals will gather together to elect the next Pope.
