Just in:What to know about the death of Pope Francis,it causes and what the Doctors said…see more 👇👇👇

Just in:What to know about the death of Pope Francis,it causes and what the Doctors said…see more 👇👇👇

What to Know About the Death of Pope Francis
On April 21, 2025, the global Catholic community and the world at large were struck with profound sorrow as Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff, passed away at the age of 88.

His death, occurring on Easter Monday at 7:35 AM CEST at his residence in the Vatican’s Domus Sanctae Marthae, marked the end of a transformative 12-year papacy that reshaped the Roman Catholic Church’s engagement with contemporary issues. This article provides a comprehensive overview of Pope Francis’s death, the circumstances surrounding it, his legacy, the rituals that followed, and the implications for the Catholic Church moving forward.

The Circumstances of Pope Francis’s Death
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, died following a cerebral stroke that led to a coma and irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse, as confirmed by Dr. Andrea Arcangeli, Director of the Vatican’s Directorate of Health and Hygiene. The official death certificate also noted contributing health conditions, including a history of acute respiratory failure due to multimicrobial bilateral pneumonia, multiple bronchiectases, arterial hypertension, and type 2 diabetes. His passing came as a shock to many, given his public appearance just a day earlier on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025, when he delivered the traditional Urbi et Orbi blessing from St. Peter’s Square despite delegating the Easter Mass to Cardinal Angelo Comastri due to his frail health.

Francis’s health had been a concern for years, exacerbated by chronic lung issues stemming from a partial lung excision in his youth. In early 2025, his condition deteriorated significantly. On February 14, 2025, he was admitted to Rome’s Policlinico Agostino Gemelli for bronchitis, which developed into bilateral pneumonia. His 38-day hospitalization was marked by critical moments, including a severe asthmatic respiratory crisis requiring high-flow oxygen therapy, blood transfusions, and non-invasive mechanical ventilation. By February 23, early-stage kidney failure was reported, though it was managed. Francis was discharged on March 23, 2025, with instructions for two months of rest, but he resumed public engagements, including meetings with world leaders like U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance and Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, against medical advice.

His final public act on Easter Sunday—blessing the faithful from his wheelchair—reflected his determination to serve until the end. The Vatican described his death as “discreet, almost sudden, without long suffering or public alarm,” a fitting end for a pontiff who valued humility and simplicity.

A Life of Service: Pope Francis’s Legacy
Elected on March 13, 2013, following the historic resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, Pope Francis became the first Jesuit pope, the first from the Americas, and the first non-European pontiff in over 1,300 years. His papacy was defined by a commitment to inclusivity, compassion for the marginalized, and a bold approach to global issues. Taking the name Francis after St. Francis of Assisi, he emphasized humility, environmental stewardship, and care for the poor.

Francis inherited a Church grappling with clerical sexual abuse scandals, declining attendance, and internal divisions. He sought to shift the Church’s focus from doctrinal rigidity to pastoral care, advocating for migrants, refugees, and the poor. His encyclical Laudato Si’ (2015) was a landmark call for action on climate change, influencing global discussions and contributing to the Paris Agreement. His outreach to interfaith communities, such as his visit to Jakarta’s Istiqlal Mosque in 2024, and his nightly calls to Christians in war-torn Gaza underscored his commitment to peace and solidarity.

However, his progressive reforms—such as opening discussions on women’s roles in the Church and welcoming non-traditional relationships—sparked tensions with conservative factions. Critics accused him of diluting Church teachings, while supporters praised his willingness to address taboo topics. His handling of the clergy abuse crisis, while improved with new accountability measures, fell short of the transparency some advocates sought.

World leaders lauded Francis’s moral clarity and compassion. U.S. President Joe Biden called him a “Pope for everyone,” while Argentina’s President Javier Milei, despite past differences, honored his wisdom. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy praised his efforts to foster unity and hope.

Rituals and Traditions Following His Death
The death of a pope triggers a meticulously choreographed series of rituals, refined over centuries, to ensure an orderly transition. Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, announced Francis’s death at 9:47 AM CEST on April 21, 2025, from the chapel of Domus Sanctae Marthae. The rite of ascertainment of death, presided over by Farrell, involved verifying the pontiff’s passing in the presence of Vatican officials, including Dr. Arcangeli, who issued the death certificate. The papal apartments were sealed, and the pontiff’s signet ring, used for official documents, was destroyed, symbolizing the end of his reign.

Francis’s body was dressed in red vestments and a bishop’s miter, placed in a simple wooden coffin lined with zinc, and laid in state at the Domus Sanctae Marthae chapel. On April 23, 2025, his coffin was moved to St. Peter’s Basilica for public viewing, where tens of thousands of pilgrims, including dignitaries like Prince William (representing King Charles) and U.S. President Donald Trump, paid their respects. Unlike past practices, Francis eschewed elaborate displays, opting for an open coffin without a raised catafalque, reflecting his desire for a funeral that emphasized Christian faith over worldly power.

The nine-day mourning period, known as the Novendiales, began immediately, with daily Requiem Masses held globally. Francis’s funeral was scheduled for April 26, 2025, in St. Peter’s Square, led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals. In his 2022 spiritual testament, Francis requested burial at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, a significant departure from the traditional Vatican Grottoes. He chose a simple tomb in the side aisle between the Pauline and Sforza Chapels, near the Salus Populi Romani icon, a site of personal devotion where he prayed before and after apostolic journeys. This made him the first pope since Leo XIII in 1903 to be buried outside the Vatican.

The Path Forward: The Conclave and Beyond
Francis’s death initiated the sede vacante period, during which the College of Cardinals assumes temporary governance of the Church, though no major decisions can be made until a new pope is elected. The first General Congregation of Cardinals convened on April 22, 2025, to plan the funeral and set the timeline for the conclave, which, per Church law, must begin between May 6 and May 11, 2025, unless all 135 eligible cardinal electors arrive in Rome earlier. The conclave, held in the Sistine Chapel, will see cardinals under 80 vote in secret to select the next pontiff, a process dramatized in the 2024 film Conclave.

The choice of Francis’s successor will be pivotal. His papacy tilted the Church toward inclusivity and global engagement, appointing diverse bishops who shared his vision. However, conservative cardinals may push for a return to doctrinal orthodoxy, setting the stage for intense debates. The outcome will shape the Church’s direction on issues like climate change, migration, and social justice, which Francis championed.

Global Mourning and Tributes
The announcement of Francis’s death prompted an outpouring of grief worldwide. In St. Peter’s Square, mourners gathered in tears, many surprised by the suddenness of his passing after his Easter appearance. Pilgrims like Elizabeth Borges, a Peruvian-American, altered travel plans to pray at the Vatican. In Argentina, Francis’s homeland, his beloved football club San Lorenzo planned commemorative events, reflecting his deep cultural ties.

Global leaders and religious figures honored his legacy. Former U.S. President Barack Obama urged continued adherence to Francis’s call for hope, while South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa praised his advocacy for the marginalized. In Gaza, Rev. Gabriel Romanelli noted Francis’s nightly calls offering comfort amid conflict, with the final call made the night before his death.

Conclusion
Pope Francis’s death on April 21, 2025, closed a chapter of bold reform and compassionate leadership for the Roman Catholic Church. His passing, caused by a stroke following a prolonged battle with respiratory and other health issues, set in motion time-honored rituals culminating in his funeral on April 26 and burial at Santa Maria Maggiore. As the Church enters a period of transition, the world reflects on a pontiff who championed the poor, confronted global challenges, and sought to make the Church a more inclusive institution. The upcoming conclave will determine whether his vision endures, but his legacy as a “Pope for everyone” will resonate for generations.