Pope Francis Death Highlights: Pope Francis died due to stroke, heart failure — Vatican; India declares 3-day mourning

Good morning.  This blog is now closed,  stay with Livemint for the latest news and updates on Pope Francis' death, his funeral, election of the new Pope, and the Vatican here.

Pope Francis died of a stroke and irreversible heart failure, according to the official death certificate released by the Vatican.

The certificate, signed by Vatican doctor Andrea Arcangeli, confirmed that the 88-year-old pontiff had fallen into a coma before passing away in the early hours of Monday morning.

The Vatican published the document as speculation swirled about the exact cause of death, following reports that the pontiff had suffered from various health issues in recent months, including a serious bout of pneumonia.

Italian President Sergio Mattarella said Pope Francis’ final public act – an Easter morning blessing and popemobile tour through a crowd of thousands in St. Peter’s Square – in retrospect seems like his final goodbye to the church.

His Holiness Pope Francis, Supreme Pontiff of the Holy See passed away today, the 21st April, 2025. As a mark of respect, three-day State Mourning shall be observed throughout India.

There will be two days of State Mourning on Tuesday, on April 22 and April 23, the government said in a press release.

The country will also observe one day’s State Mourning on the day of the funeral of Pope Francis.

During the period of the State Mourning, the national flag will be flown at half mast throughout India on all buildings where the triclolour is flown regularly and there will be no official entertainment.

Pope Francis may possibly have died of cerebral haemorrhage, and the cause of his death was not the respiratory illnesses stemming from his recent diagnosis of double pneumonia, Italian news agency ANSA reported quoting sources.

The exact cause of the Pope's death is likely to be revealed by the Vatican later tonight.

Former US President Joe Biden said Pope Francis was “unlike any who came before him. Pope Francis will be remembered as one of the most consequential leaders of our time, and I am better for having known him.” Biden, Catholic, called the pope a “challenging teacher” and “above all, he was a pope for everyone.”

Biden had planned to visit Pope Francis one more time before leaving office, but the trip was cancelled because of wildfires in the Los Angeles area.

The archbishop of Buenos Aires, Jorge Ignacio Garcia Cuerva, has told journaists that “we are a bit orphaned.” He also said the Argentine Francis was famous for asking people to pray for him. “Then he would say, ‘And if you don’t have faith? Still, send good vibes my way.’”

The archbishop said it couldn’t have been easy for Francis to learn to be a “father to the world.”

With Pope Francis's death, the immediate running of the Vatican is now in the hands of one cardinal, Dublin-born Cardinal Kevin Farrell.

Known as the Camerlengo, and appointed by the pope, it is he who will lead meetings to determine the date of Francis's funeral, and supervise other organisational tasks, culminating in the Conclave to elect the next pope.

US President Donald Trump issued a proclamation Monday ordering US flags to be flown at half-staff to honor Pope Francis after the Argentine pontiff's death aged 88.

Trump ordered that the flag be lowered at the White House and public and military properties, as well as on naval vessels and foreign diplomatic missions, "as a mark of respect for the memory of His Holiness Pope Francis."

Palestinian Christians in Gaza on Monday mourned the death of Pope Francis, who had maintained close and consistent video contact with the territory's small Christian community throughout the ongoing war.
“With the pope's passing, we in Gaza feel as though a light of love and peace has been extinguished,” AFP quoted Elias al-Sayegh from Zeitun as saying.

UN Secretary General António Guterres also mourned the loss of the Pope.

“I join the world in mourning the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis, a messenger of hope, humility and humanity,” he wrote.

“Pope Francis was a transcendent voice for peace, human dignity and social justice. My deepest condolences to Catholics and all those around the world inspired by his extraordinary life and example,” the leader added.

Pope Francis lived a life of ‘extraordinary grace’, Apple CEO Tim Cook said on Monday as he joined the mourning of his passing.

“Joining people around the world in mourning Pope Francis today. He lived a life of extraordinary grace and deep compassion. May he rest in peace,” Cook said in a post on X.

After spending more than five weeks in hospital for a bout of double pneumonia, doctors told Pope Francis he needed two months' rest - but the leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics kept working right to the end.

On Easter Sunday, the day before his death aged 88, Francis made his first prolonged public appearance since February, entering St. Peter's Square in a white popemobile to greet cheering crowds.

A mass for Pope Francis will be held Wednesday morning at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem said.

In a WhatsApp message, the Patriarchate announced a "mass at the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre" on Wednesday at 1230 GMT "presided over by His Beatitude Cardinal Pizzaballa and members of the Assembly of Catholic Ordinaries".

Pope Francis was likely to visit India next year but his journey could not materialise after he passed away on Monday. 

Union minister George Kurian, who visited Vatican City last December, said the much-awaited visit was expected to take place after the celebrations of the jubilee year of Jesus Christ's birth by the Catholic Church in 2025.

Pope Francis was the first pontiff to star in a film. Pope Francis made his film debut in 2018. Besides his documentary, Francis played himself in his debut film, Beyond the Sun (2018).

German filmmaker Wim Wenders helmed a documentary film, titled Pope Francis: A Man of His Word (2018), focusing on the beloved leader's life and goals. The documentary included excerpts from Pope's interviews and visuals from his life. Read more

A senior Vatican cardinal will lead a prayer service in St. Peter's Square on Monday evening at 7:30 pm (1730 GMT, 11 pm IST) after the death of Pope Francis, said a Vatican spokesman.

1. Pietro Parolin, 70 – Italy

2. Pierbattista Pizzaballa, 60 – Italy

3. Matteo Maria Zuppi, 69 – Italy

4. Claudio Gugerotti, 69 – Italy

5. Jean-Marc Aveline, 66 – France

6. Anders Arborelius, 75 – Sweden

7. Mario Grech, 68 – Malta

8. Peter Erdo, 72 – Hungary

9. Jean-Claude Hollerich, 67 – Luxembourg

10. Luis Antonio Tagle, 67 – Philippines

11. Charles Maung Bo, 76 – Myanmar

12. Peter Turkson, 76 – Ghana

13. Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, 65 – Democratic Republic of Congo

14. Robert Francis Prevost, 69 – United States

15. Timothy Dolan, 75 – United States

Image explains how a new Pope is elected.

Sand artist Sudarshan Patnaik creates a sculpture at beach in Puri to pay tribute to Pope Francis

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) on Monday expressed deep sorrow over the demise of Pope Francis and said the Church in India joins millions of faithful across the world in mourning the loss and announced that it will observe nine days of mourning and prayer.

Pope Francis, who suffered from chronic lung disease and had part of one lung removed as a young man, was admitted to Gemelli hospital in Rome on February 14, 2025, for a respiratory crisis that developed into double pneumonia. He spent 38 days there, the longest hospitalisation of his papacy.

Argentina's President Javier Milei has directed seven days of national mourning after the death of Pope Francis, his spokesman said Monday.

"The President of the Nation will decree seven days of mourning for the death of the Holy Father," Manuel Adorni wrote on X. Milei paid tribute earlier Monday to Pope Francis's "wisdom" despite their "differences."

The Vatican said Monday that Pope Francis's body could be transferred to St Peter's Basilica Wednesday to lie in state.

“The transfer of the body of the Holy Father to the Vatican Basilica for the homage of all the faithful could take place on Wednesday morning,” the Vatican said in a brief statement, adding that more information would be available on Tuesday.

Egypt's Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Sunni Islam's prestigious seat of learning, said that Pope Francis will be remembered for his championing of interfaith dialogue.

Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb, calling Francis "his brother," said he had “strengthened relations with Al-Azhar and the Islamic world, through his visits to numerous Islamic and Arab countries, and through his views demonstrating fairness and humanity, particularly regarding the aggression on Gaza and combating abhorrent Islamophobia”.

Four Serie A matches scheduled for Monday have been postponed following the death of Pope Francis. The governing body which oversees the Italian top flight said four fixtures – Torino v Udinese, Cagliari v Fiorentina, Genoa v Lazio and Parma v Juventus – had been postponed and would be rearranged in due course.

“Rest in Peace Pope Francis! May God Bless him and all who loved him,” he said in a post on Truth Social.

EAM S. Jaishankar posted a condolence message over Pope Francis' death on Monday.

“Saddened at the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. His compassion and commitment to building a better world defined his papacy. May his soul rest in peace,” he said.

Sunday's scheduled canonisation of the Catholic Church's first millennial saint has been postponed to a later date after the death of Pope Francis, the Vatican said on Monday.

Carlo Acutis, who died of leukaemia in 2006 aged 15, was meant to have his sainthood rubber-stamped in a mass at the Holy See on April 27.

"Following the death of the Sovereign Pontiff Francis, we inform you that the Eucharistic Celebration and Rite of Canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis... has been postponed," the Vatican said in a brief statement.

Dubbed "God's Influencer" or the "Cyber Apostle", Acutis spent much of his short life spreading the Catholic faith online.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday mourned Pope Francis' death.

“Deeply saddened by the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis, a global voice of compassion, justice, and peace,” he said in a post on X.

“He stood by the downtrodden and the marginalised, spoke fearlessly against inequality, and inspired millions across faiths with his message of love and humanity,” the Congress leader added.

“My thoughts are with the Catholic community in India and around the world.”

The Eiffel Tower's landmark illuminations will be switched off on Monday night in memory of Pope Francis who died aged 88, Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo said.

City hall was planning to name a site in the French capital after Francis who, she said, had placed "ecology at the centre of spiritual concerns" and had argued in favour of "welcoming refugees".

The bells of Paris' Notre Dame cathedral tolled 88 times in memory of Pope Francis, Reuters reported quoting French media.

At midday, a mass will be held for Pope Francis in Notre Dame, franceinfo radio reported.

The body of Pope Francis body will be laid in a coffin in the chapel at his Saint Martha residence.

“Tonight, Monday April 21 at 8:00 pm (1800 GMT), His Eminence the Most Reverend Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, will preside over the rite of certification of death and the laying of the body in the coffin,” the Vatican said in a statement.

A US-based LGBTQ group thanked Pope Francis for his support to the community.

“With simple words and gentle gestures, Pope Francis powerfully moved the Catholic Church to become a more welcoming home for LGBTQ people,” Francis DeBernardo, executive director of New Ways Ministr said.

“Francis was not only the first pope to use the word ‘gay’ when speaking about LGBTQ people, he was the first pope to speak lovingly and tenderly to them. His kind words of welcome to this community, traditionally marginalized in the church, rang loudly around the globe.”

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says his country grieves together with Catholics and all Christians who looked to Francis for spiritual support.

“He knew how to give hope, ease suffering through prayer, and foster unity. He prayed for peace in Ukraine and for Ukrainians. Eternal memory!” Zelenskyy wrote on X.

Flags flew at half-staff in overwhelmingly Roman Catholic Italy to mourn the death of Francis on Easter Monday, a public holiday. Pope Francis passed away on Monday at the age of 88 after prolonged illness.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday hailed the late Pope Francis as a "defender" of "humanism and justice", and praised his efforts to promote dialogue between the Orthodox and Catholic Churches.

Putin said Francis, who died on Monday, was a "wise" religious leader, "statesman" and "consistent defender of the high values of humanism and justice", in a letter to the Vatican published by the Kremlin.

"During all the years of his pontificate, he actively promoted dialogue between the Russian Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches, as well as constructive interaction between Russia and the Holy See," Putin added.

Pope Francis created more than 900 new saints, including his predecessors John XXIII, John Paul II and Paul VI, as well as Mother Teresa of Calcutta and Salvadoran Archbishop Oscar Romero, who was killed in 1980.

Spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar mourned Pope Francis' death on Monday.

“Pope Francis was a deep believer and a traditionalist with a difference! He was pro-reform and a passionate advocate of interfaith dialogue. His concern for the environment and efforts against human trafficking are noteworthy. His call for greater understanding will continue to inspire his followers. He had also sent his emissary with a warm message for the Art of Living at the World Culture Festival held in Delhi and Washington, D.C,” he said.

The former Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina was elected pope on March 13, 2013. He was the 266th pope and the first from Latin America. He was the first pontiff to take the name Francis.

In 2022, Pope Francis expressed his wish to be buried at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, unlike his predecessors, who have traditionally been buried at the Vatican Grottoes beneath St. Peter’s Basilica, as per Reuters.

As per the updated Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis, the Pope will likely be placed in this coffin for public viewing.

“The Pope and I had a more active relationship than was apparent. It went well beyond our respective institutional roles,” Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni told Italian state broadcaster RAI, as per a Reuters report.

“We’ve met many times, even just to exchange opinions. He was able to give comfort in very difficult moments, I have many memories of the Pope," Meloni said

“The fact he’s leaving on Easter Monday, it’s like he wanted to do his duty until the very end,” Meloni added, saying he had appeared fatigued at their most recent meeting," she added.

The Italian Prime Minister further revealed that the Pope kept some artwork her daughter had made for him in a drawer. She also expressed pride in convincing him to become the first pontiff to address a G7 summit in 2024.

“Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow, I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 this morning, The Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the Father's house. 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 faithfulness, courage, and universal love, especially for the poorest and most marginalized. 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 God, One and Triune."

The death of a pope sets in motion a series of carefully orchestrated rites and rituals well before the conclave to elect his successor begins. They involve the certification of death and public display of his body for the faithful to pay their respects, followed by the funeral and burial.

Pope Francis, who died on Monday, revised various rites last year, simplifying the funeral rituals to emphasize his role as a mere bishop and allowing for burial outside the Vatican in keeping with his wishes. But the core elements remain, including the three key moments that must be observed between the death of a pope and his burial.

People are gathering at the Vatican after the news of Pope Francis' death

US Vice President JD Vance mourned the passing of Pope Francis on Monday, just a day after the pontiff met him for a ‘few minutes’ during Easter Sunday celebrations at the Vatican. Following the visit, Vance and his family departed for India.

"I just learned of the passing of Pope Francis. My heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him.

I was happy to see him yesterday, though he was obviously very ill. But I’ll always remember him for the below homily he gave in the very early days of COVID. It was really quite beautiful.

May God rest his soul," JD Vance posted on X.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that with the death of Pope Francis, “the Catholic Church and the world lose an advocate for the weak, a reconciling and a warm-hearted person”.

“I greatly appreciated his clear view of the challenges we face,” the German leader said in a post X. “My sympathies go out to the religious community worldwide.”

European Central Bank president Christine Lagarde on Monday condoled Pope Francis' death, saying she was deeply saddened by the news.

“I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. He was a global voice for unity, justice, and human dignity. His wisdom and humility touched lives far beyond faith. My thoughts are with all who grieve his loss,” she posted on X.

Pope Francis Death News LIVE: The White House in a brief statement on X condoled Pope Francis' death. “Rest in Peace, Pope Francis,” it wrote.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has extended condolences to the Catholic community on the death of Pope Francis today. 

He also recalled his meetings with the Pontiff, saying: “I fondly recall my meetings with him and was greatly inspired by his commitment to inclusive and all-round development. His affection for the people of India will always be cherished. May his soul find eternal peace in God’s embrace.”