Pope Francis dies of stroke and heart failure, the Vatican confirmed today, following complications from double pneumonia.
The Vatican stated that the Pope’s death resulted from a stroke and irreversible heart failure.
The illness was reportedly triggered by complications from the double pneumonia he had recently experienced.
Dr. Andrea Arcangeli, Director of the Directorate of Health and Hygiene of the Vatican City State, said the Pope suffered a stroke, followed by a coma and irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse.
The official medical report revealed that Pope Francis had a medical history of acute respiratory failure caused by multimicrobial bilateral pneumonia, multiple bronchiectases, hypertension, and Type II diabetes.
His death was medically confirmed through electrocardiographic thanatography.
Earlier this Monday morning in the Vatican, Cardinal Kevin Farrell announced the death of the 88-year-old Pontiff.
As a result, Cardinal Farrell will now serve as “Camerlengo,” the official temporarily in charge of administering the Vatican during the sede vacante, or the period following a pope’s death or resignation.
He will oversee Vatican affairs until a new pope is elected.
Born in Dublin, Cardinal Farrell will also lead the transfer of the Pope’s body into the coffin and conduct the “rite of the confirmation of death.”
Farrell was appointed Bishop of Dallas in 2007 before being called by Pope Francis to head a newly formed Vatican department responsible for the pastoral care of families. He was later elevated to the rank of cardinal.
In 2019, Pope Francis appointed him as Camerlengo of the Roman Catholic Church.