Pope Francis has passed away at the age of 88 following complications from a stroke, the Vatican confirmed on Monday.
According to his official death certificate, the stroke led to a coma and eventually caused “irreversible” heart failure.
The pontiff died on Monday morning, nearly a month after he was discharged from a five-week hospital stay due to double pneumonia.
Dr. Andrea Arcangeli, Director of the Directorate of Health and Hygiene of the Vatican City State, issued the official cause of death. The Holy See Press Office released the medical report Monday evening.
The report noted that Pope Francis had a history of severe respiratory issues, including acute respiratory failure caused by multimicrobial bilateral pneumonia and multiple bronchiectases. He also suffered from high blood pressure and Type II diabetes.
His death was officially confirmed through electrocardiographic thanatography. “I hereby declare,” wrote Dr. Arcangeli, “that the causes of death, to the best of my knowledge and judgment, are as stated above.”
