Leader of the Catholic Church died at the age of 88, victim of a respiratory infection.
Pope Francis passed away on Monday (21), at the age of 88, due to a respiratory infection. The information was officially confirmed by the Vatican. Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the first Latin American pontiff in the history of the Catholic Church, had been facing a series of health problems in recent years, and his condition had worsened in recent days.
The respiratory infection caused the pontiff’s death hours after his appearance on Easter Sunday, when, visibly weakened, he gave a brief greeting and blessed the faithful present in St. Peter’s Square. He preferred to have an aide read his traditional “Urbi et Orbi” message , highlighting calls for peace in the world and an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
Respiratory problems
Francis had already been hospitalized several times due to lung problems and breathing difficulties since 2023. In April 2024, he publicly stated that everything was ready for his funeral, giving signs that his health was increasingly compromised. At the same time, he ordered that papal funeral rituals be simplified, with the body only being exposed inside the coffin.
Even amid his physical frailty, the Pope maintained his schedule of commitments until his final days, including a meeting with the Vice President of the United States, JD Vance, hours before the celebration of Easter. According to the Vatican, the meeting was brief and served only to exchange greetings and wishes for spiritual renewal.
Symptoms of respiratory infection
Respiratory infections are common among older people and are especially dangerous for those with a history of lung disease. Respiratory infections can be caused by viruses, bacteria, or fungi. The main symptoms are: persistent cough (often with phlegm), high fever, difficulty breathing, wheezing, chest pain (especially when taking a deep breath), extreme fatigue, rapid heartbeat, among others.
