By Our Reporter
Pope Francis died from a cerebral stroke that led to a coma and irreversible heart failure, the Vatican has said.
The 88-year-old pontiff’s death certificate was released after it was announced he had died on Monday.
The Vatican shared the Pope’s final testament, in which he outlined his request to be buried “in the ground, without particular ornamentation” but with the inscription “Franciscus”.
Francis said he wished to be buried in Rome’s Basilica of Saint Mary Major, rather than at St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, where many previous pontiffs have been laid to rest.
An anonymous benefactor will pay the cost of the funeral, according to the Vatican.
The Pope’s coffin might be moved to St Peter’s Basilica as early as Wednesday morning to allow the faithful to pay their respects, a Vatican spokesman said.
Francis had suffered from a chronic lung disease and had part of a lung removed as a young man.
Health issues plagued him throughout his later life, and he was admitted to Gemelli hospital in Rome on 14 February for a respiratory crisis that developed into double pneumonia.
This led to a 38-day stay in hospital, the longest of his 12-year papacy.
But the leader of the world’s Roman Catholics emerged on Easter Sunday, a day before his death, to bless thousands in St Peter’s Square.
Before the public appearance, the Pope “exchanged good wishes” with US vice president JD Vance during a private audience at the Vatican.
Bells tolled in church towers across Rome after the announcement of his death.
Francis, the first Jesuit and the first Latin American pontiff, charmed the world with his humble style and concern for the poor, but alienated conservatives with warnings about capitalism and climate change.
Seven days of mourning will be observed in his native Argentina, as well as in its heavily Catholic neighbour Brazil.
While a date is yet to be set for the funeral, the Vatican said it would normally be expected to take place sometime between Friday and Sunday.
Cardinals are due to meet on Tuesday and could set the timetable for the funeral then.
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Tributes to the Pope have poured in from around the world.
The King, who met Francis earlier this month during a visit to Italy with the Queen, described him as someone who had “profoundly touched the lives of so many”.
Charles said he and Camilla were “most deeply saddened” to learn of the Pope’s death and they “were greatly moved to have been able to visit him” so recently.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said Francis had been “a Pope for the poor, the downtrodden and the forgotten”.
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