Pope Francis's final hours before suddenly dying as Vatican issues death certificate in full

Worshippers across the globe continue to mourn after the 88-year-old pontiff died and irreversible heart failure on Monday morning.

The announced his death just a day after he held an Easter address in a wheelchair before thousands of worshipers in on Sunday. The Pope's death comes after a period of ill-health that saw him hospitalised for five weeks with double pneumonia. Services have been held around the as 1.4bn Catholics begin a nine-day period of mourning for the pontiff's death. Francis, who was born in Buenos Aires, , was elected as Pope in 2013. The said in an update on Monday evening that he died from a cerebral stroke that led to a coma and irreversible heart failure.

His Eminence, Cardinal Farrell, announced the death of Pope Francis with these words: “Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 this morning (local time), the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and His Church. He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage and universal love, especially in favour of the poorest and most marginalised." Farrell added: "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 the One and Triune God.”

Pope Francis' death certificate in full

DEATH NOTIFICATION OF HIS HOLINESS FRANCIS

I certify that His Holiness Francis (Jorge Mario Bergoglio) born in Buenos Aires (Argentina) on December 17, 1936, Resident in Vatican City, Vatican Citizen, died at 7:35 a.m. on April 21, 2025 in his apartment at the Domus Santa Marta (Vatican City) due to:

• Stroke
• Coma
• Irreversible Cardiocirculatory Collapse

In a subject affected by:

• Previous episode of acute respiratory failure in bilateral multimicrobial pneumonia
• Multiple bronchiectasis
• Arterial hypertension
• Type II diabetes

Death was determined by registration electrocardiothanatographic. I declare that the causes of death according to my science and conscience, are those indicated above.

The Director of the Health and Hygiene Directorate of the Vatican City State,

Prof. Andrea Arcangeli.

Pope Francis' final hours

The Pope woke up at 6am and was doing reasonably well, but by 7am he began feeling poorly, according to Vatican sources. Half an hour later, at exactly 7:35, his death was announced.

Francis' body had by this time already been weakened by respiratory infections that left him hospitalised for five weeks at the Gemelli Polyclinic. The pontiff had been prescribed a convalescence with assisted ventilation, and health workers had recommended isolation. But Francis was adamant he would not be spending any time away from his commitments.

He agreed to meet and, just one day ago, on Easter Sunday, met with Vice President of the United States JD Vance. He then held an Easter address while in a wheelchair before thousands of worshipers in St Peter's Square. During the event, members of the public took note of a stiffness in the Pope's arm, a person behind him massaging him, and his labored breathing.

Mourners from all over the world have since gathered in St Peter's Square, in Vatican City, to pay their respects to Pope Francis following his death this morning. Cardinals are expected to gather on Tuesday morning for the first time since Francis’ death to make the first decisions about funeral plans and other urgent matters.

after he and met with the pontiff during a visit to Italy earlier this month. The King said: "My wife and I were most deeply saddened to learn of the death of Pope Francis. [...] His Holiness will be remembered for his compassion, his concern for the unity of the Church and for his tireless commitment to the common causes of all people of faith, and to those of goodwill who work for the benefit of others.

"The Queen and I remember with particular affection our meetings with His Holiness over the years and we were greatly moved to have been able to visit him earlier in the month. We send our most heartfelt condolences and profound sympathy to the Church he served with such resolve and to the countless people around the world who, inspired by his life, will be mourning the devastating loss of this faithful follower of Jesus Christ."