What Happens When a Pope Dies?

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The pope was released from a lengthy hospital stay less than a month ago for a life-threatening respiratory condition.

Pope Francis is pushed in a wheelchair past a crowd of people, some of whom are taking photographs with cellphones.
Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican on April 13.Credit...Alessandra Tarantino/Associated Press

April 21, 2025, 8:06 a.m. ET

Pope Francis died on Monday, aged 88, at the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta.

Here is what to know about how he died, and what is expected to happen next.

The Vatican has not announced the immediate cause of Pope Francis’ death. But he recently spent weeks in the hospital in critical condition with a life-threatening respiratory infection.

After being released, the pope resumed a limited schedule. A day before his death, he met with Vice President JD Vance and blessed the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square for Easter Mass.

He had made several public appearances over the past week. But his weak, raspy voice was reminder of his frailty.

Francis entered the hospital with an acute respiratory insufficiency from viral and bacterial infections. He had often struggled with bronchitis during winter.


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