Italian media have reported a possible cause of Pope Francis’ death. According to La Repubblica and La Stampa, the Pope died from a cerebral haemorrhage—likely a stroke—unrelated to the respiratory issues and pneumonia he battled in February.
The Vatican announced that Pope Francis passed away peacefully on Easter Monday at the age of 88, after a lifetime devoted to God and the Catholic Church.
Just days before his death, the Pope said he was “living it as best” as he could, despite dealing with multiple health challenges in recent years, including reduced mobility and chronic lung issues. His condition had led to several hospital visits, the most recent being a 38-day stay at Gemelli Hospital starting in February, during which he reportedly had “two very critical episodes.”
Doctors had advised him to rest for at least two months after his discharge, but the pontiff continued to make public appearances. In September 2024, he even embarked on a 12-day tour of Southeast Asia and Oceania, visiting Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and Singapore.
In his final week, he appeared in public twice without the nasal cannula he had been using for oxygen, giving many hope that he was recovering. He made his last public blessing on Easter Sunday, just one day before his death.
chai