Pope Francis died due to stroke and cardiovascular failure
Rite of verification of death and the placement of the body in the coffin of Pope Francis
OFFICE FOR THE LITURGICAL CELEBRATIONS OF THE SUPREME PONTIFF
NOTIFICATION
VERIFICATION OF DEATH AND PLACEMENT OF THE BODY OF THE ROMAN PONTIFF
FRANCIS
Monday, April 21, 2025
Following the announcement of the death of the Roman Pontiff Francis, and in accordance with the provisions outlined in the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis (nos. 21–40), this evening, Monday, April 21 at 8:00 p.m., His Most Reverend Eminence Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, will preside over the rite of verification of death and the placement of the body in the coffin.
Therefore, the Most Eminent Dean of the College of Cardinals, the family members of the Roman Pontiff, the Director and Deputy Director of the Directorate of Health and Hygiene of the Vatican City State are kindly requested to attend the rite, which will take place at 7:45 p.m. in the Chapel of the Domus Sanctae Marthae. Clergy are to wear their proper choir dress.
Vatican City, April 21, 2025
By mandate of His Eminence the Cardinal Camerlengo,
Diego Ravelli
Titular Archbishop of Recanati
Master of the Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations
Original Text in Italian
UFFICIO DELLE CELEBRAZIONI LITURGICHE
DEL SOMMO PONTEFICE
NOTIFICAZIONE
CONSTATAZIONE DELLA MORTE
E DEPOSIZIONE NELLA BARA
DELLA SALMA DEL ROMANO PONTEFICE
FRANCESCO
Lunedì 21 aprile 2025
A seguito della comunicazione dell’avvenuto decesso del Romano Pontefice Francesco, secondo quanto previsto nell’Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis (nn. 21-40), questa sera, lunedì 21 aprile alle ore 20.00, Sua Eminenza Reverendissima il Signor Cardinale Kevin Joseph Farrell, Camerlengo di Santa Romana Chiesa, presiederà il rito della constatazione della morte e della deposizione della salma nella bara.
Sono pertanto pregati di prendere parte al rito l’Eminentissimo Decano del Collegio Cardinalizio, i familiari del Romano Pontefice, il Direttore e il Vice Direttore della Direzione di Sanità e Igiene dello Stato della Città del Vaticano, che si troveranno per le ore 19.45 nella Cappella della Domus Sanctæ Marthæ. Gli Ecclesiastici indosseranno l’abito corale loro proprio.
Città del Vaticano, 21 aprile 2025
Per mandato dell’Em.mo Cardinale Camerlengo
Diego Ravelli
Arcivescovo tit. di Recanati
Maestro delle Celebrazioni Liturgiche Pontificie
Statement by the Director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni
April 21, 2025
[B0267]
At 9:47 this morning, His Eminence Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, announced with sorrow the death of Pope Francis, with the following words:
“Dear 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 house of the Father. 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 poor and the 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 the Triune God.”
[00493-EN.01] [Original text: Italian]
[B0267-XX.01]
Declaration of the death of His Holiness Francis, 21.04.2025
Vatican City, 21 April 2025
DECLARATION OF DEATH OF HIS HOLINESS FRANCIS
I hereby certify that His Holiness Francis (Jorge Mario Bergoglio) born in Buenos Aires (Argentina) on December 17, 1936, resident in Vatican City, Vatican citizen, died at 7:35 a.m. on 21/04/2025 in his apartment at the Domus Sanctae Marthae (Vatican City) from:
– STROKE
– COMA
– IRREVERSIBLE CARDIOVASCULAR COLLAPSE
In a subject suffering from:
– Previous episode of acute respiratory failure in the context of bilateral multimicrobial pneumonia
– Multiple bronchiectasis
– Arterial hypertension
– Type II diabetes
Ascertainment of death was by electrocardio-anatomical recording.
I declare that the causes of death to the best of my knowledge and belief are as stated above.
Director of the Directorate of Health and Hygiene
of Vatican City State
Professor Andrea Arcangeli
Testament of the Holy Father Francis, 21.04.2025
Miserando atque Eligendo
In the Name of the Most Holy Trinity. Amen.
As I sense that the twilight of my earthly life is approaching, and with firm hope in Eternal Life, I wish to express my final wishes regarding my burial place.
I have always entrusted my life and priestly and episcopal ministry to the Mother of Our Lord, Mary Most Holy. Therefore, I ask that my mortal remains rest, awaiting the day of resurrection, in the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major.
I wish that my final earthly journey conclude precisely in this ancient Marian shrine, where I go to pray at the beginning and end of every Apostolic Journey to faithfully entrust my intentions to the Immaculate Mother and to give thanks for her gentle and maternal care.
I ask that my tomb be prepared in the burial niche in the side nave between the Pauline Chapel (Chapel of the Salus Populi Romani) and the Sforza Chapel of the aforementioned Papal Basilica, as indicated in the enclosed plan.
The tomb should be in the ground; simple, without particular ornamentation, and bearing only the inscription: Franciscus.
The expenses for the preparation of my burial will be covered by a sum provided by a benefactor, which I have arranged to be transferred to the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major. I have given the appropriate instructions to Msgr. Rolandas Makrickas, Extraordinary Commissioner of the Liberian Chapter.
May the Lord grant the deserved reward to those who have wished me well and will continue to pray for me. The suffering that marked the final part of my life, I offer to the Lord, for peace in the world and brotherhood among peoples.
Domus Sanctae Marthae, 29 June 2022
FRANCIS