Signs of final illness came two hours before Pope’s death

By CathNews New Zealand

April 24th, 2025

Pope Francis greets a child from the popemobile after giving his Easter blessing to thousands of people in St Peter's Square at the Vatican on April 20, 2025. Pope Francis died the next day. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)

The first signs of the final illness that preceded the death of Pope Francis were apparent at 5.30am on Easter Monday in Rome. Source: Vatican News.

After being driven around St Peter’s Square in the popemobile on Easter Sunday, the Pope rested in the afternoon and had a quiet dinner. Around 5.30am the next morning, the signs of a sudden illness appeared, prompting an immediate response from those keeping watch over him.

About an hour later, after making a gesture of farewell with his hand to his nurse, Massimiliano Strappetti, the Pope fell into a coma. According to those who were with him in his final moments, he did not suffer. It all happened quickly. Pope Francis died at 7.35am in his apartment at the Casa Santa Marta.

The passing of Pope Francis came the day after Easter, when he was able to offer the city and the world his final Apostolic Blessing and embrace the faithful once more.

On Monday evening, the Holy See released the death certificate detailing the cause of death of Pope Francis. After an examination, Vatican physician Dr Andrea Arcangeli determined the Pope died from a stroke, coma and irreversible cardiovascular collapse.

Compounding factors included Francis’ previous episode of acute respiratory failure from bilateral pneumonia, the chronic disease called bronchiectasis (the permanent enlargement of parts of airways of the lungs), hypertension and type II diabetes.

FULL STORY

Pope Francis’ final hours and gratitude for returning to the Square (Vatican News)

Vatican releases Pope Francis cause of death (CNA)