How did Pope Francis die? It wasn’t double pneumonia for which he was hospitalised recently

Pope Francis died at the age of 88 on Monday. But he did not die of double pneumonia as some were speculating.

The Vatican has confirmed the actual cause of his death, bringing an end to the rumours.

Notably, the Argentinian pontiff had been admitted to the hospital in February after being diagnosed with double pneumonia. He remained there for 38 days, the longest hospitalisation during his 12-year tenure.

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So, how did he die?

We take a look at the cause of his death, what the Vatican said, and what happens next in this explainer.

How did Pope Francis die?

Francis died after a stroke that led to a coma and irreversible cardiocirculatory failure, the Vatican confirmed in an official statement.

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The cause of death was confirmed through an ECG test, it said.

In the death certificate released by the Vatican, Dr Andrea Arcangeli, the pope’s doctor, wrote that Francis died of a stroke and irreversible cardiovascular arrest. The certificate also said he fell into a coma before he passed away.

Apart from his recent lung infection, Arcangeli said that Francis also had high blood pressure and diabetes.

Francis had long struggled with chronic lung problems and had part of one lung removed when he was young. On 14 February 2025, he was admitted to Gemelli Hospital after a breathing problem turned into double pneumonia.

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During that time, he also had blood transfusions due to low platelet levels, which were linked to anaemia.

He left the hospital on March 23 and made his last public appearance on Sunday, when he was seen riding through St Peter’s Square in the popemobile and gave a short greeting from the main balcony of St Peter’s Basilica.

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Where will Pope Francis be buried?

When a pope dies, it sets off a series of traditions that take place before a new leader is chosen. These include confirming the death, placing the body on display for the public to pay their respects, followed by the funeral and burial.

However, Pope Francis had made changes to these customs during his lifetime, choosing simpler funeral rites to reflect his role as a bishop rather than as a grand figure. He also asked to be buried outside the Vatican, in line with his personal wishes.

In his will, Francis requested to be buried at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, located in Rome’s Esquilino area. This marked a break from tradition. He had often prayed there before and after overseas visits, with his final visit on April 12.

Pope Francis will be buried in the Basilica of St. Mary Major in the Pauline Chapel, which houses the ancient icon of Maria Salus Populi Romani, as he requested in his Spiritual Testament.

The Holy See Press Office announced that Dr. Andrea Arcangeli, the Director of the… pic.twitter.com/LqXEHgqzhj

— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) April 21, 2025

His will stated that he wanted a simple burial “in the ground, without particular decoration,” with only his papal name inscribed in Latin: Franciscus.

The Vatican released the full text of his will, where the late pope wrote: “The cost of preparing the burial will be covered by a sum provided by a benefactor, which I have arranged to be transferred to the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major. I have given the necessary instructions regarding this to Cardinal Rolandas Makrickas, Extraordinary Commissioner of the Liberian Basilica.”

On Monday night, his body was placed in a coffin inside the chapel of Casa Santa Marta. It will be moved to St Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday morning for the public to offer their final respects.

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What happens next?

After the death of Pope Francis was confirmed, the Vatican began the traditional nine-day mourning period known as the Novendiale.

During this time, his body will be moved to his private chapel, where he will be dressed in a white cassock and placed in a wooden coffin lined with zinc.

The funeral is expected to take place four to six days after his passing. Different churches across Rome will hold services over the full nine days.

The main funeral Mass will likely be held in St Peter’s Square, though Francis had requested burial at the Basilica of St Mary Major in Rome.

A conclave to choose the next pope usually begins 15 to 20 days after a pontiff’s death. Around 135 cardinals from across the world are eligible to vote in this secretive process, which can last several days.

Before his death, some of the names mooted as possible successors included Matteo Zuppi, a progressive cardinal from Italy; Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s secretary of state; and Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle from the Philippines.

Once a new pope is elected, he is asked whether he accepts the role. If he agrees, he chooses a papal name, usually inspired by a previous saint or pope.

A cardinal then steps out onto the central balcony of St Peter’s Basilica and announces the result in Latin with the words Habemus papam, meaning “We have a pope.”

Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires in 1936, became pope in March 2013.

He signalled his down-to-earth style from the start by riding a bus instead of the papal car, paying his hotel bill himself, and choosing to live in the Vatican guesthouse rather than the papal apartments. In his first address to the media, he shared his vision of “a poor church and a church for the poor.”

His death has led to an outpouring of condolences from global leaders and a deep sense of loss within the Catholic community.

In Italy, flags were lowered to half-mast, and people filled St Peter’s Square. As the bells of the basilica began to toll, many stopped to film the moment.

As Monday evening came to a close, the Vatican held its first public tribute, a Rosary prayer in St Peter’s Square.

With inputs from agencies