Pope Francis died on Easter Monday at the age of 88 at his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta, the Holy See press office said on X.
Two months ago, on February 14, the 88-year-old pontiff was admitted with bronchitis to Gemelli University Hospital, also called the Pontifical Hospital.
Doctors first diagnosed a complicated viral, bacterial and fungal respiratory tract infection and then pneumonia in both lungs. Blood tests also showed mild kidney failure. Medics prescribed the patient “absolute rest” and a combination of cortisone and antibiotics, as well as supplemental oxygen if necessary.
Francis’ platelet count then dropped, subsequently remaining low but stable. Platelets are cell fragments that circulate in the blood and help form clots to stop bleeding or speed wound healing. Low platelet levels can be caused by a number of things, including side effects of medications or infections.
The pope also developed anaemia and during the blood transfusion he was given haematin, a drug that increases haemoglobin levels in the blood, which in turn helps the blood carry more oxygen. A day later, doctors reported that the therapy had been effective.
In late March, the pope made his first public appearance since his illness. The media reported that Francis was re-learning to speak. After he went on the mend, the pope met with Britain’s King Charles III and US Vice President J.D. Vance.
Francis was elected pope on March 13, 2013 following the voluntary resignation of Benedict XVI.
