The cause of Pope Francis’ death was released after the Pope died on Easter Monday at the age of 88.
Per the Vatican, the Pope died due to a stroke, followed by a coma and irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse, as the Vatican News reported.
The official certification was issued by Dr. Andrea Arcangeli, Director of the Directorate of Health and Hygiene of the Vatican City State, and released by the Holy See Press Office on Monday evening.
Per the medical report, the cause of death was confirmed through electrocardiographic thanatography.
As The Vatican News reported, the Pope “had a prior history of acute respiratory failure caused by multimicrobial bilateral pneumonia, multiple bronchiectases, high blood pressure, and Type II diabetes.”
On Tuesday, the Vatican also released the first photos and video of the Pope since his death:
Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican camerlengo, announced in a statement on Monday on the Pope’s death: “At 7:35 this morning the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His whole life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and His Church.”
“He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage and universal love, especially in favour of the poorest and most marginalised,” he added.
The Pope’s funeral is planned for Saturday at 10 a.m. local time (4 a.m. eastern) at St. Peter’s Basilica.
U.S. President Donald Trump shared that he and Melania Trump will be attending the Pope’s funeral.
“Melania and I will be going to the funeral of Pope Francis, in Rome. We look forward to being there!” he wrote on Truth Social.
