Egypt Daily News – Italian media have reported that Pope Francis died from a cerebral hemorrhage, possibly the result of a stroke, which was unrelated to the severe respiratory issues and pneumonia he battled earlier this year in February. According to La Repubblica and La Stampa, doctors confirmed the Pope “passed away peacefully” at the age of 88 on Easter Monday in his private apartment at the Saint Martha residence in the Vatican.
The Vatican’s press office announced that Pope Francis had devoted his entire life to serving God and the Church. His body will lie in state in St. Peter’s Basilica for three days before being laid to rest in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome. According to Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni, the public viewing may begin as early as Wednesday.
Just one day before his passing, in a moving final act of devotion, Pope Francis appeared before 35,000 faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday. Though visibly frail in recent months and previously seen wearing an oxygen nasal cannula following his hospital stay, he surprised many by appearing without it during this last public appearance.
For around 50 minutes, the pontiff was driven slowly through the cheering crowd, waving and blessing worshippers. Italian media have since speculated that doctors may have advised against such exposure, as he was likely immunocompromised following his bout with pneumonia.
Earlier that day, Francis had appeared briefly on the balcony of the Apostolic Palace, greeting the crowd with, “Brothers and sisters, Happy Easter,” before an aide read his annual Urbi et Orbi blessing. His message called for an end to the ongoing wars in Ukraine and Gaza.
Despite worsening health in recent months, the Pope maintained a busy schedule. As recently as September 2024, he completed a 12-day international tour that included visits to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and Singapore. After being discharged from the hospital in March, doctors recommended at least two months of rest. Reports later revealed that he had endured two life-threatening episodes while hospitalized.
Nonetheless, Francis remained committed to his duties, making surprise appearances at Mass and greeting pilgrims at St. Peter’s Basilica. In the final week of his life, he appeared in public twice without the oxygen support he had previously needed.
Just one day before his passing, he met briefly with U.S. Vice President JD Vance, a Catholic convert, in what the Vatican described as a short Easter greeting.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the camerlengo responsible for overseeing Church affairs during the interregnum, confirmed the Pope’s death at 7:35 a.m. local time on Monday. “With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite, merciful love of God,” Cardinal Farrell said in a statement.
Francis had only recently left the hospital under a “protected discharge” on March 23, following a serious lung infection that developed into double pneumonia.
His final public blessing on Easter Sunday was delivered with the aid of an assistant, and despite the warm spring temperatures, the Pope insisted on spending nearly an hour among the faithful.
Plans for the papal conclave, during which eligible cardinals will gather in the Sistine Chapel to elect a new Pope, are expected to begin no sooner than 15 days from the time of his passing.
