Pope Francis has died at the age of 88, and while his passing was not entirely unexpected given his recent health struggles, the actual cause of death came as a surprise to many — including those closest to the Vatican.

After months of public concern over his deteriorating respiratory health — including double pneumonia, bronchitis, and related complications — many had assumed that those ailments would be the ones to ultimately end his life. Instead, the Vatican confirmed that Pope Francis passed away from a massive cerebral stroke early Monday morning, April 21, 2025, marking a somber and unexpected turn in the final chapter of his remarkable life.

The Vatican released a detailed timeline of the events leading up to his death. According to the report, the Pope had woken around 6 a.m. at his residence in Saint Martha’s House, the modest guesthouse within Vatican City where he had chosen to live instead of the more opulent Apostolic Palace.

Shortly after waking, aides noticed that he appeared disoriented and was complaining of a severe headache. Within 30 minutes, he became unresponsive. Doctors on-site rushed to his side but were unable to revive him. He slipped into a coma and passed away peacefully in his private quarters shortly thereafter — never regaining consciousness.

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