Media: Pope Francis may have died of stroke

Pope Francis may have died as a result of a stroke or cerebral haemorrhage, La Repubblica reported on April 21, citing medical sources.

According to the Italian newspaper, the Pontiff’s death was not related to respiratory issues, Caliber.Az reports, referencing La Repubblica.

He had previously been hospitalised from February 14 to March 23 due to a lung infection, but was believed to be recovering.

“The Pope passed away peacefully,” the publication quoted doctors as saying.

To recall, Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires in 1936, has died at the age of 88. The first Latin American pope passed away at 7:35 am local time on Easter Monday at the Casa Santa Marta residence in Vatican City, the Holy See has confirmed.

Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the current Camerlengo, announced the news in a statement shared via the Vatican’s official Telegram channel.

“With deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 this morning, he returned to the house of the Father. His entire life was devoted to the service of the Lord and the Church,” Farrell said.

Despite his increasing frailty, Pope Francis participated in person in the Holy Week celebrations in recent days. On Easter Sunday, April 20, he made his final public appearance from the balcony overlooking St Peter’s Square, offering a brief Easter greeting:

“Dear brothers and sisters: Happy Easter!” he said, before delivering the traditional Urbi et Orbi blessing — Latin for “to the city and to the world”.

Following Church protocol, Cardinal Farrell, an Irish prelate who was appointed Camerlengo by Francis himself, will temporarily oversee the administration of Vatican affairs until a new pope is elected. Farrell also serves as Prefect of the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life, President of the Commission for Reserved Matters, and Chair of the Vatican Investment Committee.

A period of nine days of mourning and liturgical ceremonies — known as novemdiales — will now begin, during which preparations will be made for a conclave to elect the next pope. The conclave is expected to be held between 15 and 20 days after the pope’s death.

Pope Francis was the 266th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church and the first Jesuit to assume the papacy. 

By Aghakazim Guliyev