Pope Francis Passes Away: A Tragic End to a Papacy Marked by Compassion

Pope Francis' health challenges, including diabetes and chronic lung condition, heightened risks leading to his eventual stroke and subsequent cardiovascular collapse.

The Vatican announced on April 21, 2025, that Pope Francis had died due to complications from a stroke, which tragically resulted in a coma and the failure of his cardiovascular system. The 89-year-old pontiff had been battling various health issues, including Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure, which significantly elevate the risk of stroke. Additionally, his chronic lung ailment, bronchiectasis, had left him vulnerable to infections leading to pneumonia. Just weeks prior to his death, Pope Francis spent five weeks hospitalized due to pneumonia, an infection that can exacerbate underlying lung conditions.

Medical experts, including Dr. Burton Dickey from MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, explained that bronchiectasis can lead to severe complications, particularly when infections reach the lungs, resulting in pneumonia. This set of circumstances can in turn increase the risk of blood clots, which can trigger a stroke. Tragically, this is what occurred with Pope Francis.

In a detailed statement regarding the cause of death, the Vatican specified that the stroke led to “cardiocirculatory collapse,” a critical end-stage event in the dying process when the heart and lungs cease functioning. Dr. Michelle Kittleson from the Smidt Heart Institute highlighted that strokes can have dire consequences, affecting the brain regions responsible for regulating heart function or creating pressure that leads to systemic failure.

This announcement concludes a poignant chapter in the history of the papacy as the world mourns the loss of a leader who championed compassion and reform. The Catholic community, along with millions worldwide, will remember Pope Francis not only for his papacy's challenges but also for his unwavering commitment to faith, inclusiveness, and peace.

Nina Agrawal is a Health Reporter for The New York Times.