VATICAN—Pope Francis died from a stroke that was followed by a coma and irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse.

This was announced by the Vatican as the Catholic church leadership decided to keep the doors of St. Peter’s Basilica open all night in response to a surge of mourners who want to pay their last respects to the late pontiff.

Professor Andrea Arcangeli, Director of the Directorate of Health and Hygiene of the Vatican City State, issued the official certification, and the Holy See Press Office announced the report on Monday evening.

According to the medical report, the Pope had a prior history of acute respiratory failure caused by multimicrobial bilateral pneumonia, multiple bronchiectases, high blood pressure, and type II diabetes.

Death was confirmed through electrocardiographic thanatography. “I hereby declare,” wrote Professor Arcangeli, “that the causes of death, to the best of my knowledge and judgment, are as stated above.”



The turnout of mourners was higher than what the Vatican expected that it was decided that extra hours be allotted to allow more people to visit the wake.



Most of those who personally lined up to enter the basilican had to wait for hours to gain entry.



Many of those interviewed by the media admitted being hungry and exhausted as they waited in line but nobody complained as they patiently queued to say their prayers and goodbyes to the popular Catholic church leader.



The Vatican said over 20,000 people paid their respects during the first eight hours of the public viewing that started Wednesday (April 23).