The Vatican on Monday disclosed that Pope Francis died of a stroke.
It stated that Pope Francis fell into a coma after suffering a stroke and ultimately experienced “irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse.’’
Dr Andrea Arcangeli, head of the Vatican’s health department, revealed the Pontiff’s cause of death in a statement he issued.
Arcangeli said that in addition to the cerebral stroke, Pope Francis was suffering from pneumonia in both lungs, which led to episodes of respiratory insufficiency.
The Catholic Pontiff died at the age of 88 in his residence in the Vatican on Easter Monday.
His death followed more than two months of struggling with his health.
The late Pontiff battled severe respiratory infections and, at times, required high flows of supplemental oxygen and at least one emergency blood transfusion.
He was initially admitted to Gemelli Hospital in the Italian capital, Rome, for 38 days.
Pope Francis was first rushed to hospital on 14 February for bronchitis.