Jorge Bergoglio, known as Pope Francis, died on April 21, 2025, at 7:35 AM local time in his residence at Domus Sanctae Marthae, Casa Santa Marta, Vatican City. The 88-year-old pontiff succumbed to a cerebral stroke followed by irreversible cardiovascular collapse, complicated by recent bilateral pneumonia. His death, announced by the Vatican, marks the end of a 12-year papacy and sets the stage for a conclave to elect his successor.
Bergoglio’s health had been frail following a 38-day hospitalization for bronchitis that progressed to bilateral pneumonia, ending on March 23, 2025. His medical history included a partial lung removal in youth due to pleurisy, hypertension, type II diabetes, and multiple bronchiectasis. Despite these challenges, he made his final public appearance on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025, delivering a brief address from a wheelchair at St. Peter’s Basilica’s balcony.
Vatican doctor Andrea Arcangeli certified the cause of death as stroke and cardiovascular collapse, noting prior respiratory failure and other conditions. At 8:00 PM on April 21, the certification rite was completed, and Bergoglio’s body was placed in a coffin in Casa Santa Marta’s chapel. Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, announced the death at 9:45 AM via Vatican TV, stating, “At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father.” Farrell sealed the papal apartments in the Apostolic Palace and Casa Santa Marta.
The Vatican entered a sede vacante period, with Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re and the College of Cardinals assuming temporary governance. The rules of the conclave, as of 22 January 2025, state that of the 252 cardinals, 135 qualify as electors. Only those under the age of 80 may take part in the secret ballot in the Sistine Chapel. Four rounds of voting take place every day until a candidate receives two-thirds of the vote.
Bergoglio’s body will be transferred to St. Peter’s Basilica on April 23, 2025, for public veneration. His funeral is scheduled for April 26, 2025, expected to draw global leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump.
A conclave to elect a new pope, involving approximately 135 cardinal electors, is set to begin between May 6 and May 11, 2025, in the Sistine Chapel.