Stroke, Heart Failure Revealed as Pope’s Cause of Death

A rosary service was held in St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City.
Stroke, Heart Failure Revealed as Pope’s Cause of Death
Westminster Cathedral marks the death of Pope Francis in London, England, on April 21, 2025. Alishia Abodunde/Getty Images
T.J. Muscaro
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The Vatican revealed on April 21 that Pope Francis suffered a stroke, which led to a coma and then irreversible heart failure.

He died at 7:35 a.m. that same day in his apartment at the Domus Sanctae Marthae. He was 88 years old.